MOBILE, Ala. — Snake Encounters, a zoological presentation featuring 14 live snakes and one crazy snake handler, will slither into the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center July 19 and 20 for a dynamic experience of magic, comedy, excitement and story-telling.

Audience members will have the opportunity to meet and interact with the stars of the show — herpetologist Daryl Sprout and his scaly friends. The Exploreum will open an hour earlier each day to accommodate two daily shows in the IMAX Dome Theater.

Saturday, the Exploreum will open at 9 a.m., and Snake Encounters will be held at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. On Sunday the Exploreum will open at 11 a.m. with shows at 1 and 3 p.m.

Seating for shows is first-come, first-served, and is expected to fill up in advance. Members will be granted free admission. Entry for non-members is $5.

“Snakes, why does it have to be snakes?” laments movie character Indiana Jones whenever he confronts the scaly creatures. This negative reaction is not unique — many people have been conditioned to be afraid of snakes, a reputation that herpetological humorist Sprout says these animals just don’t deserve.

“There is no subject that humans are more misinformed about than snakes,” claims Sprout, a native of Texas, who has helped thousands of people overcome ophidiophobia — the fear of snakes. “It’s only the tip of the iceberg that many people think the only good snake is a dead snake — a completely learned response. Normally, there’s no reason to be afraid of them. Usually people who are bitten by a snake are trying to provoke it — or kill it. Eight out of 10 snakebite victims were trying to kill the snake at the time.

“These days, fewer and fewer kids are burdened with this phobia because they rarely see snakes in the wild — so they squeeze in front at the show, while some of the grown-ups sit in the back, fascinated but grimacing. People have become more aware of the vital niche they fill in the environment.”

During this humorous and informative 45-minute presentation, Sprout will highlight the beauty and unique personalities of many of his own animals — including a 12-foot Burmese Python — and offer interesting anecdotes and little-known facts on the habits and habitats of snakes.

Sprout will even allow audience members to touch some of his animals — he encourages people to overcome their learned fear of these often-misunderstood creatures.

Sprout’s show is highly educational (he’s a stickler for accurate detail), but the audience always seems to be having too much fun to notice. His style has been described as a cross between Steve Irwin and Steve Martin.

In Southern California, he was dubbed “The George Carlin of Herpetology.” The Las Vegas Sun said, “Daryl may be the only stand-up comic snake handler in the world. Not only was his show educational, it was humorous.”

“During my show I’ll take questions, explain the difference between poisonous and venomous, and address the many enduring myths about snakes that most people take for common knowledge,” says Sprout. “In the process I bring out all different types and sizes from all over the world — and poke a little fun at all the misinformation we tend to carry around on this topic. I specialize in the truly petrified.”

On the other hand, there's plenty of genuine suspense — with two of Sprout's boas (there are five different kinds of boas in the show) who not only look venomous, they actually act venomous to avoid predators, and apparently to avoid Sprout.

A casual observer might assume that they genuinely hate him.

“Then again, for some reason the audience always loves it when I get bit,” he says with a grin. “Most animal shows keep trying to quiet the audience down to avoid upsetting the animals. Well, snakes have no ears, so the crowd can get as loud as it wants. I’ve always felt that if you can make knowledge about our natural world entertaining, then you'll find a lot more of the educational content you hoped to impart is actually being absorbed.”

There’s even a magical surprise or two — just when the crowd least expects it. Simply put, this is not your average animal show.

Sprout has worked for Animal Planet, Discovery Networks, Time Warner and CableOne.

Science Museums have featured Snake Encounters in Los Angeles, Dallas, Lubbock, Texas, McAllen, Texas and Huntsville, Ala. He was even a hit at the Riviera on the famous Strip in Las Vegas.

The Exploreum will have a special 10 percent off deal on new annual memberships and reptile-themed gift shop specials this weekend only.

Snake Encounters runs in conjunction with the exhibit FROGS! Beyond Green and IMAX films “Amazon” and “Hurricane on the Bayou.”

For more information about exhibits, films, hours or directions, visit www.exploreum.com.