SUMMERDALE, Ala. — Alligator Alley was founded to give alligators who were declared a “nuisance” a home. Florida law says that gators more than four feet long that seem to have lost fear of humans have to be destroyed, unless they can be brought to a place like Alligator Alley.

Visitors to the Summerdale attraction will find lots of fences and no-nonsense “do not touch” signs. At the same time, an elevated boardwalk allows visitors to safely view the gators in a natural habitat.

But, what about snakes?

That’s the problem Alligator Alley owner Wesley Moore wrestled with when his friend, herpetologist Doug Kemper wanted to retire.

“Doug had been with zoos in Oklahoma and Florida,” said Moore. “He was the curator of the New York Aquarium, for one. He wanted to retire, but he had a large collection of snakes.”

The snakes are large, and do consume a number of pre-killed, frozen rabbits, mice and rats every week. It can get difficult to care for them and expensive to feed them.

The solution?

Alligator Alley.

Moore says that Kemper approached him (Moore says they have been friends for years) and Moore had to do some thinking but struck at the chance to enhance the offerings at his site.

A number of rustic-appearing glass-fronted cages, shielded from the sun by canopies have been constructed and visitors are already enjoying an up-close view of the big reptiles. A lucky few might even get to hold one of the snakes.

“The theme is a giant snake safari,’ said Moore. “We are trying to make it look like a camp or a research station. “That’s why we are going to stay with the shipping crate look.”

Eventually, Moore hopes to display venomous snakes such as the Timber Rattler, the Eastern Diamondback and the Water Moccasin. No, visitors will not be allowed to hold those snakes.

But, as Moore says, “like any project, we’re about one month behind.”

Right now one of the biggest snakes, “Speed Bump,” an Indian Python, is a “baby at 16 feet long. “Stretch,” a Reticulated Python, is about 20 feet long.

“Stretch” has a particularly beautifully pattern on his scales.

“He has a tiger-striped pattern, which is somewhat unusual,” said Moore, who added that Alligator Alley displays four species of snake that are more than 20 feet long. Aside from “Stretch,” there is an Anaconda, an Indian Python, and an African Rock Python. There’s also another as-yet-unnamed Reticulated Python that is more than 24 feet long.

While all of the snakes seen had shiny, glossy scales (a sign of good care and health) some of the snakes have obviously had it rough before coming to Kemper and Moore.

Pointing to a large African Python with no tail (the body just tapers to an end) Moore said with a wink, “What happened to that guy, I don’t know, but the story of an alligator biting that tail off is pretty good, isn’t it?”

While Moore says snakes can make good pets, they are not for the inexperienced or lazy.

“You need to keep their cages clean, they need the right kind of care, and people have to know that they are going to grow,” said Moore.

When Moore brought out “Lemon Peel,” an “albino” Burmese Python, visitors backed away. But an adventurous few lined up to pet the snake’s silky-smooth scales and a few even consented to Moore’s carefully draping the reptile over their shoulders.

“Oh my goodness,” was all Robin Hodges could get out as Moore draped Lemon Pee, another albino Burmese Python over her shoulders.

Hodges, who was visiting the area with her nephew Jackson Smartt, 2, of Huntsville, couldn’t wait to share the excitement with him.

Moore was ready with a two-week-old reticulated python, a newcomer to this entertaining the humans business.

“Look at this,” said Hodges, holding the small snake out to Smartt.

Smartt took one look, reared back and made a face. Snakes were definitely not for him.