“Snake Farm Surprise: My Unexpected Stop Along Abuja-Keffi Road”
If someone told you they wanted to start a snake farm, what would your first reaction be? shock? curiosity? with a hard “why though?” question? 😅
Well, guess what? There is actually one tucked along the Abuja-Keffi expressway, and it is home to a variety of snakes proudly on display! Located at Gora in Karu local government area in Nasarawa State, about 40 kilometers from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) along the Abuja-Keffi expressway, the Tukur & Tukur Snakes Farm evokes both the curiosity and imagination of passersby and visitors. The reason is not far-fetched as the snake is generally regarded as man’s sworn enemy only meant to be killed at first sight; I was completely stunned. A farm… for snakes? That alone was enough to spark my curiosity.
Now, I have never been a fan of snake far from it, actually—but come on, who wouldn’t want to learn more about these fascinating (and slightly terrifying) creatures? So, while heading towards Kaduna North (for a wedding), I spotted a signpost clearly stating SNAKE FARM and decided to make a quick detour. And let me tell you—it was totally worth it. 😏
A visit to the farm will, however, dispel every fear and replace it with awe and admiration at how graceful and picturesque the colorful creatures are, especially watching them move majestically in seamless traffic behind their fortified glass cages.
At first, I expected a bar or something dishing out snake pepper soup or something more of consumption, but it had so much more to offer. To my surprise, it was almost like a mini zoo. Apart from the slithering stars of the show, there were also monkeys swinging around, porcupines showing off their spines, majestic camels, and even horses.
According to a reliable source, it is said that the spotted python, mostly found around the Sambisa Forest, can adapt to most types of habitats but prefers rocky hillsides and outcrops with crevices and caves. They feed on small mammals, including rats, toads, and insectivorous bats.
One curious feature about it is that it breeds through laying of eggs, unlike most species which give birth to their young ones. It can also lay as many as 15 eggs. Despite its intimidating size, however, it does not bite but swallows its prey and so cannot be housed in the same cage with a much smaller species called Kasa, which is predominantly found around Nasarawa State because the venomous Kasa would bite it to death.
On the farm, the very aggressive and venomous species, like the cobra and black mamba, are housed together while the non-aggressive and non-poisonous ones are kept together. In order to ensure a stable diet for the snakes, various species of rats are also reared on the farm and fed to the snakes. Frogs are also sourced from the wild as alternative menu.
It was noted that most of their supplies came from hunters and were for tourism purposes, but they are occasionally sold to members of the public on demand. The tour guide further stated that snake farming for tourist attraction was the first step towards the opening of a comprehensive zoo with more species of reptiles and other animals, adding that the farm also has a collection of various types of ostriches and peacocks new to this part of the world.
The snake farm, a subsidiary which has stolen the limelight from Tukur & Tukur Farms Ltd, is only a recreational aspect of the agricultural conglomerate which is into farming of Chinese vegetables, fish farming, general crop production and tractor hiring.
The 20-hectare of farmland is reportedly owned by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai, with over 50 staffers in its employ. It has branches in Kaduna and other northern states.
It turned out to be an unforgettable roadside adventure, a proof that sometimes the best discoveries happen when you follow your curiosity and take a random turn off the highway.
