New owner has big plans for New Braunfels' Snake Farm

Animal trainer Jessica Darby has fun with a white lion cub at the New Braunfels Animal World and Snake Farm Zoo. There are fewer than 300 white lions in the world. Animal trainer Jessica Darby has fun with a white lion cub at the New Braunfels Animal World and Snake Farm Zoo. There are fewer than 300 white lions in the world. Photo: Photos By Tom Reel / San Antonio Express-News Photo: Photos By Tom Reel / San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close New owner has big plans for New Braunfels' Snake Farm 1 / 5 Back to Gallery

NEW BRAUNFELS — Texas legend Ray Wylie Hubbard famously said, “Snake Farm. It just sounds nasty.”

Those are words Eric Trager, a Dallas doctor and longtime animal rescuer who now owns the New Braunfels Animal World and Snake Farm Zoo near San Antonio, has heard before.

But in hopes of bringing a “world class” zoo to New Braunfels in the next three years, Trager and a team of zoologists are revamping, rebranding and rebuilding the park.

“When I took over (in 2007), the Snake Farm had cages from 1967. We are in the process of upgrading those cages into exhibits that provide the animals a much better environment,” said Trager, 42.

The Animal World and Snake Farm Zoo currently has more than 500 animals, including one of the largest reptile collections in the state, seven types of lemur, a petting zoo, five different types of monkeys and two of fewer than 300 white lions in the world.

More than half the animal exhibits have been upgraded and expanded, and air conditioning added since Trager took over, said Jarrod Forthman, a manager at the zoo.

“As we continue to improve the environment for the animals, it will naturally improve the experience for our visitors,” said Forthman, who has worked at the location nearly 20 years. “Our goal is to set ourselves apart from a typical zoo and provide an up-close and personal experience for our visitors that they won't forget, rather than just a display.”

Part of that experience includes birds like peacocks walking in the open, animals such as lemurs that come out of the exhibits with trainers and interact with visitors, and a full-fledged petting zoo.

One of the biggest attractions, Forthman said, is on Sundays at 3 p.m. when he feeds the crocodiles.

“It's like nothing you've ever seen,” said Forthman, who grew up near San Antonio and is missing part of his left thumb because of a rattlesnake bite.

Trager has purchased more than 20-acres directly behind the park and once all the current exhibits are upgraded, will be expanding the zoo to the new land. Eventually, Trager said, he will hire 40 to 50 employees, build a new entrance and change the name.

“When you come to the park now, you are going to see a small zoo. In three years, we hope to have built a world-class zoo,” said Trager, who added he thinks it will be the best in South Texas.

The park, located on Interstate 35 near Engel Road just south of New Braunfels, has been featured on the popular Discovery Channel show “Dirty Jobs” and has some of the most venomous and largest snakes in the world.

The zoo also features the original rattlesnake pit and more than 35 snakes common in Texas to educate visitors on which are venomous and which aren't.

Admission prices are $12.75 for adults and $9.75 for children under 12. Admission for children under 2 is free. The zoo is open 7 days a week.