the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Wantage NJ, State Senator Parker Space (R-24) was hospitalized earlier this week after being bitten by a rattlesnake while feeding the reptiles at his family’s long-standing zoo, Space Farms Zoo and Museum.
The incident occurred Monday when Sen. Space, who has worked with rattlesnakes since he was 12 years old, was feeding mice to the snakes. One struck unexpectedly, mistaking his finger for food.
State Sen. Parker Space said he’s used to close calls, though the Sussex County legislator has never faced this much venom.
“I been bit by stuff, scratched by stuff, even knocked down by a buffalo,” the Republican said by telephone Thursday, referring not to the state Senate floor in Trenton but to Space Farms Zoo & Museum, the attraction he owns in his hometown of Wantage.
A First-Time Encounter with a Venomous Bite
Space Farms Zoo houses a variety of snakes, including copperheads, rat snakes, ball pythons, and vipers. Despite his lifelong experience handling snakes, this marked the first time Space had been bitten by a venomous one.
Initially, there was no pain, but swelling in his middle finger quickly escalated.
“I could see the two fang marks, but there was no pain at all to begin with,” Space explained. “And then my middle finger started swelling up.”
Hospitalization and Treatment
After the bite, Space drove himself to Newton Medical Center, where he received over a dozen vials of anti-venom. As the swelling worsened and his skin was at risk of splitting, he was airlifted on New Year’s Eve to Jacobi Medical Center in New York City, which specializes in snake bite treatment.
Space was discharged on Wednesday, though he noted he’s not yet back to full health.
“I’ve been out and about, but not back to normal,” he shared, mentioning lingering bruising and achiness in his hand.
Back to Business
By Thursday, Space was back at the zoo, feeding the very same eastern massasauga rattlesnake that bit him.
“You know, it’s part of the job,” he said. “That’s what I do.”
A Legacy of Wildlife and History
Space Farms Zoo and Museum, founded nearly 100 years ago by Ralph and Elizabeth Space, spans 400 acres and is home to hundreds of live wild animals, including tigers, lions, monkeys, bobcats, llamas, and timber wolves. The property also features an extensive collection of antique and classic artifacts from American history in its museum.
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Chalk one up for the snake, they’re braver than us sheeple!