Entry No. 16 — the Charleston file — filed under: reptiles

Edisto Island Serpentarium

Brothers Ted and Heyward Clamp built South Carolina's first true serpentarium as a walk-through, low-walled habitat rather than a wall of glass tanks — snakes and alligators live at eye level, separated from visitors by nothing more than a low curb. When Hurricane Matthew bore down in 2016, the brothers spent the storm's approach boxing up several hundred live snakes by hand to save the collection.

The move: Go on a Saturday in warm-weather season, catch a live handling talk, then walk the outdoor alligator lagoon and the screened-in snake building together — it's unnerving enough to make you actually hold hands.

• 📍 Edisto Island
• 💸 $
• ⚡ Up for anything
• 🌗 Indoors

Where: 1374 Highway 174, Edisto Island, SC 29438

Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current hours before you go.

⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: Official site · postandcourier.com

last checked: 2026-07-20