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Not keeping pet reptiles herself didn’t stop Amanda Michelle from joining the Indonesia Cobra Show, the snake enthusiasts’ club established in November by Jakarta lovers of reptiles.

“When I found out about this unique community, I told myself I had to join,” Amanda said with a laugh.

Indra Cobra, as he’s known by the community’s members, is the brains of the operation. Calling himself a reptile entrepreneur, Indra ran the Albino Show from 1996 to 2009, presenting reptilian attractions around the capital. Today he heads up the Indonesia Cobra Show.

Indra acknowledges that the members’ shared love of reptiles, and especially of snakes, is outside the mainstream.

“We wanted to change the public perception of snakes,” he said. “Most people are afraid of snakes and they always want to kill them.”

Indra said the group aimed to educate the public. “If they get the right information about snakes, we hope people will start to love snakes,” he said, adding that snakes were not the scary beasts many people imagine them to be.

Although some are indeed dangerous, many snakes are safe to keep as pets, Indra said. “The most important message we want to convey through this community is a greater public awareness of snakes,” he said.

He was quick to add that it is important for people to realize there are many endangered snake species that require protection.

Amanda said the community’s platform consists of three main goals: entertainment, education and experience. Through engaging activities, members encourage people to give snakes a fair shake. Every two weeks, they gather in West Jakarta’s Kota Tua (Old Town) to perform free snake shows. Amanda said people are encouraged to play with the reptiles, with many attendees keen to be photographed with large pythons and other creatures.

“When we put on a show, we always try to interact with people,” Amanda said. Brave ones, Amanda said, are given a chance to “kiss a cobra.” She emphasizes that these activities are conducted safely and responsibly.

In addition to public attractions, the community performs private shows for corporate events and birthday parties. Amanda said that for private events, they usually put on snake dances, which she said enthralls audiences. “Our attractions are different from other snake dances,” she said. “These attractions are put on by professionals.”

The community also sells traditional medicine made of cobra’s bile, marrow and brain. Indra said the traditional medicine has been used for centuries in many parts of the world, especially in Asia, to treat illnesses including asthma, rheumatism and heart disease.

A reptile-lover, however, does not have to be a professional to keep one as a pet. Unlike other pets, Indra said, reptiles are easy to feed and tend to live long lives. “They easily adapt to any environment and are immune to many diseases.”

What is important in keeping a reptile, Indra said, is understanding its natural habitat. “You need to provide water and food consistently as well as a clean cage.” Indra keeps several lizards, pythons and cobras, spending about Rp 200,000 ($22) each month to care for them.

“It’s not expensive compared to how much you need to spend on other animals,” he said, adding that most reptiles don’t need to eat every day.

Today Indonesia Cobra Show has 30 active members who come from a range of backgrounds, from students to professionals. Indra said they welcome anyone to join their community. “Whether you are young or old, you can be a member as long as you love reptiles.”

Indonesia Cobra Show
For more information, find Cobrashow ICS on Facebook or call 0856 764 8454