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Podcasts Off-Ramp
Photos! Video! KPCC journos face their fears at the LA Zoo's Boo at the Zoo
Off-Ramp with John Rabe Hero Image
(
Dan Carino
)
Oct 5, 2016
Listen • 6:17
Photos! Video! KPCC journos face their fears at the LA Zoo's Boo at the Zoo
When KPCC photog Maya Sugarman got to hold a king snake, you won't believe what happened next. And will Off-Ramp host John Rabe faint when a tarantula crawls on his arm?
Off-Ramp Host John Rabe conquers his fear of spiders and holds a Chilean Rose-Haired Tarantula in the care and conservation area for reptiles and insects at the Los Angeles Zoo on Tuesday morning, Oct. 4, 2016. Boo at the L.A. Zoo takes place every weekend this October. The annual event includes live performances, special animal feedings, pumpkin carving and crafts.
Off-Ramp Host John Rabe conquers his fear of spiders and holds a Chilean Rose-Haired Tarantula in the care and conservation area for reptiles and insects at the Los Angeles Zoo on Tuesday morning, Oct. 4, 2016. Boo at the L.A. Zoo takes place every weekend this October. The annual event includes live performances, special animal feedings, pumpkin carving and crafts.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
A Chilean Rose-Haired Tarantula sits in the care and conservation area for reptiles and insects at the Los Angeles Zoo on Tuesday morning, Oct. 4, 2016.
A Chilean Rose-Haired Tarantula sits in the care and conservation area for reptiles and insects at the Los Angeles Zoo on Tuesday morning, Oct. 4, 2016.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Off-Ramp Host John Rabe interviews Senior Keeper Chris Rodriguez while holding an Arizona Mountain King Snake in the care and conservation area for reptiles and insects at the Los Angeles Zoo on Tuesday morning, Oct. 4, 2016. During "Animals & Boo," patrons get to touch creepy critters.
Off-Ramp Host John Rabe interviews Senior Keeper Chris Rodriguez while holding an Arizona Mountain King Snake in the care and conservation area for reptiles and insects at the Los Angeles Zoo on Tuesday morning, Oct. 4, 2016. During "Animals & Boo," patrons get to touch creepy critters.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Off-Ramp Host John Rabe holds an Arizona Mountain King Snake in the care and conservation area for reptiles and insects at the Los Angeles Zoo on Tuesday morning, Oct. 4, 2016.
Off-Ramp Host John Rabe holds an Arizona Mountain King Snake in the care and conservation area for reptiles and insects at the Los Angeles Zoo on Tuesday morning, Oct. 4, 2016.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Off-Ramp Host John Rabe holds an Arizona Mountain King Snake in the care and conservation area for reptiles and insects at the Los Angeles Zoo on Tuesday morning, Oct. 4, 2016.
Off-Ramp Host John Rabe holds an Arizona Mountain King Snake in the care and conservation area for reptiles and insects at the Los Angeles Zoo on Tuesday morning, Oct. 4, 2016.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
A freezer in the care and conservation area stores food for reptiles and insects at the Los Angeles Zoo on Tuesday morning, Oct. 4, 2016. Some of the items in the freezer include, figs, clams and half a pig (for the Komodo Dragons). On October 2 and 23, attendees can watch Komodo Dragon femur bone feedings.
A freezer in the care and conservation area stores food for reptiles and insects at the Los Angeles Zoo on Tuesday morning, Oct. 4, 2016. Some of the items in the freezer include, figs, clams and half a pig (for the Komodo Dragons). On October 2 and 23, attendees can watch Komodo Dragon femur bone feedings.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Senior Keeper Chris Rodriguez places a tarantula exoskeleton onto Off-Ramp Host John Rabe's arm in the care and conservation area for reptiles and insects at the Los Angeles Zoo on Tuesday morning, Oct. 4, 2016.
Senior Keeper Chris Rodriguez places a tarantula exoskeleton onto Off-Ramp Host John Rabe's arm in the care and conservation area for reptiles and insects at the Los Angeles Zoo on Tuesday morning, Oct. 4, 2016.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Snake exoskeletons sit in the care and conservation area for reptiles and insects at the Los Angeles Zoo on Tuesday morning, Oct. 4, 2016.
Snake exoskeletons sit in the care and conservation area for reptiles and insects at the Los Angeles Zoo on Tuesday morning, Oct. 4, 2016.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Anti-venom for all the snakes housed at the Los Angeles Zoo are stored in the care and conservation area on Tuesday morning, Oct. 4, 2016.
Anti-venom for all the snakes housed at the Los Angeles Zoo are stored in the care and conservation area on Tuesday morning, Oct. 4, 2016.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Off-Ramp Host John Rabe conquers his fear of spiders and holds a Chilean Rose-Haired Tarantula in the care and conservation area for reptiles and insects at the Los Angeles Zoo on Tuesday morning, Oct. 4, 2016.
Off-Ramp Host John Rabe conquers his fear of spiders and holds a Chilean Rose-Haired Tarantula in the care and conservation area for reptiles and insects at the Los Angeles Zoo on Tuesday morning, Oct. 4, 2016.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)

When KPCC photog Maya Sugarman got to hold a king snake, you won't believe what happened next. And will Off-Ramp host John Rabe faint when a tarantula crawls on his arm?

Really, the pictures tell the story here.

Every year, the LA Zoo celebrates Halloween with Boo at the Zoo with all kinds of scary and creepy events, including the opportunity to touch a snake, which freaks out a lot of people. Like KPCC photographer Maya Sugarman:

Now, I'm not scared of snakes. But I am afraid of spiders. So I figured this was a good chance to face my fear.

Make sure to listen to the audio to hear Senior Keeper Chris Rodriguez give us the 411 on the snake and spider we were handling.

Boo at the Zoo is happening at the LA Zoo through Oct. 31.