But for John Mostyn of Kingswood, a snake can be a thing of beauty.

Mr Mostyn is the senior reptile keeper at Sydney Wildlife World, he keeps reptiles at home and has a license to capture and release snakes causing problems for people at home.

He's also the president of the Hawkesbury Herpetological Society, which will hold it's first annual reptile show in Cambridge Park this Sunday (March 21).

As well as venemous snake shows, the chance to have your photo snapped with baby crocodiles, and a load of displays, those who believe they have the prettiest reptile can enter it into a competition on the day a beauty pageant of sorts for the scaly, cold-blooded kind.

As Mr Mostyn explains, you can get some diamond pythons that are just black with their markings, but you can also get some with really bright yellows.

He also made mention of the ``spectacular'' linage of the jungle python.

Mr Mostyn has to count when asked how many reptile enclosures he has in his home, with reptiles in his lounge room, spare room and his ``loved ones'' in the bedroom.

``At the moment, I've got about 40 reptiles here,'' he said, keeping pairs together.

When asked if they dominate his house, he said: ``They pretty much dominate my life.''

Among his favourites are tiger snakes, highly varied in colour, and the green tree python, born a bright yellow but later change to green.

Growing up in the country, Mr Mostyn said he had a fascination with reptiles when he was younger.

``My brother and sister were too young to play with.''

He used to run off and chase bearded dragons and snakes, bringing them back to the house to scare his family.

Not that he encourages people to go after them.

``Do not go after them, if you have a snake call one of the experts,'' he said.

It's also against the law to kill our wildlife, he said, unless they're causing imminent danger.

Mr Mostyn said it took him many years to be very confident with venemous snakes. ``I have a healthy respect for them, I understand what venemous do to people.''

Class one and class two non-venemous reptiles will be for sale at the show for licensed keepers and there will also be shows throughout the day.

``We frown on people taking animals from the wild,'' he said.

A non-profit organisation, Mr Mostyn said the society would like to raise some money for the better keeping of reptiles.

Details: Hawkesbury Herpetological Society's reptile show, 10am to 3pm, March 21 at the Penrith Sports Centre, 32 Herbert Street, Cambridge Park. Phone John Mostyn, 0416922282 or email hawkesburyherps@hotmail.com