Tommy Riediger
Google
Review of the Snake Exhibition at the Natural History Museum
On a rainy day in Genoa, I decided to visit the Natural History Museum, as I’ve always been a fan of such institutions. Unfortunately, my experience with the temporary snake exhibition left me somewhat disappointed.
The snakes were kept in terrariums that appeared far too small for their size. Some of the larger species couldn’t even fully stretch out, which I found particularly concerning. Additionally, some species that, according to the provided information, spend a lot of time in or near water had water basins that were clearly too small for them to use comfortably.
The terrariums offered very limited opportunities for the snakes to hide or seek shelter. Most enclosures contained only some wood on the ground and artificial plants, which didn’t seem sufficient to replicate their natural habitats.
While I appreciate the effort to display these fascinating creatures, I felt that their welfare was not given the priority it deserved. For anyone concerned with animal well-being, this section of the museum was difficult to appreciate.
As for the rest of the museum, I found it to be quite extensive, with a large number of exhibits covering a wide range of subjects. Some displays were particularly interesting and well-presented. While I felt there was a lack of interactivity and, for my taste, not enough detailed descriptions, the majority of the museum was very good. This is why I’m giving 3 stars, as my concerns mainly relate to the temporary snake exhibition, which only represents a small part of the overall experience.
I hope that the museum considers improving the living conditions of the animals and offering a more enriching experience for visitors in the future.
