The Australian Reptile Park is thrilled to announce the unveiling of the world’s biggest brown snake statue, a stunning 6-meter tall, 30 metre long structure that weighs over 3 tonnes. This monumental addition took over 3000 hours of dedicated work and is now proudly perched atop the park’s brand new Weigel Venom Centre.
This mammoth snake joins the ranks in the unique group of Australia’s ‘big things’ alongside the parks very own Ploddy the Dinosaur, as well as icons like the Big Banana and Big Prawn.
In December, the Australian Reptile Park launched the state-of-the-art Weigel Venom Centre, where the park milks Australia’s deadliest terrestrial snakes for their venom that is sent off to CSL Sequris to create lifesaving antivenom. However, the team at the park was determined to enhance this facility even further. That’s where Australian Reptile Park founder John Weigel stepped in with a vision that has now come to life.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to have a massive snake statue in the park, and putting it in a place of honour on top of our brand new venom centre felt like the perfect place for it,” Weigel said.
The journey to create this magnificent snake statue began with a collaboration with the talented team at Sculpt Studios in Queensland. The process started with a 3D scan of a real eastern brown snake to ensure the statue’s accuracy and lifelike proportions. Using advanced manufacturing techniques, the team was able to recreate intricate details such as the snake’s teeth, moving tongue, and scales.
The installation of the statue was a massive task, complicated by challenging weather conditions. “We had to reinforce the roof with steel framing and crane each piece of the body over the building, fitting it together like puzzle pieces,” Weigel explained.
The entire project required over 3000 hours of work, including the meticulous hand-painting of each and every scale, showcasing the pinnacle of artistry and precision with stunning realism.
The excitement surrounding the statue is palpable. “I can’t believe how big it is!” Park Manager, Billy Collet exclaimed. “Seeing the snake for the first time was incredible and the moving tongue adds a lifelike quality that truly brings the statue to life.”
Visitors to the Australian Reptile Park are invited to come and see the world’s largest brown snake statue, which now sits proudly atop the Weigel Venom Centre. This impressive installation not only serves as a remarkable attraction but also highlights the park’s commitment to wildlife conservation and education.
Don’t miss the chance to witness this extraordinary feat of artistry and engineering, and learn more about the vital work being done at the Weigel Venom Centre. The Australian Reptile Park is excited to welcome guests to experience this unique addition to the park!
