Louis T and the snakes Les poilus - Radio Canada

Some fears run deep, but sometimes all it takes is a positive encounter to completely change our perspective. That is exactly what happened when Joanie Asselin introduced several snakes to comedian and columnist Louis T. Right from the start, Louis T admitted that he was very afraid of snakes. A perfect challenge for Joanie, who loves helping people better understand animals that often inspire fear.

Throughout the segment, fear gradually gave way to curiosity… and then to confidence.

Watch the segment: Click here
 

A Treasure Hunt in the Sand

To start things off gently, Joanie brought along Méli Mélo and Spaghetti, 2 adorable sand boas, one of the smallest boa species in the world. Their introduction quickly turned the segment into a real treasure hunt. Since these snakes naturally spend much of their time buried in the sand, Louis T had to search for them and dig them out to discover them.

This first step helped break the ice while demonstrating that snakes have fascinating and often misunderstood behaviors.

With their small size and unusual appearance, Méli Mélo and Spaghetti quickly sparked more curiosity than fear.

 

The Perfect Snake for Overcoming a Phobia

Once some trust had been established, Joanie introduced another species that is especially popular during Educazoo activities. Colorful, calm, and slow-moving, this snake has all the qualities needed to reassure people who may feel nervous. This was Nala, a 12-year-old corn snake that has reached her full adult size.

Thanks to Joanie’s explanations, Louis T began to see snakes from a different perspective. He learned why they constantly flick their tongues to analyze their surroundings, how they perceive the world around them, and why they are often much less threatening than people imagine. Joanie also explained that Educazoo’s animals regularly participate in educational activities, including visits to daycare centers, allowing children to discover reptiles in a safe and respectful environment.

Before long, Louis T felt comfortable enough to place the snake around his neck. To his surprise, he even found the experience calming and relaxing.

 

The Final Surprise: Jafar the Boa Constrictor

Once completely relaxed, Louis T was ready for one final challenge. Cassandre from Educazoo then brought out Jafar, the magnificent 8-foot boa constrictor.

Normally, simply seeing a snake of this size is enough to impress most people. However, after everything he had learned, Louis T felt much more at ease and immediately picked him up. He even agreed to wear Jafar around his neck!

This spectacular moment demonstrated just how powerful knowledge can be in transforming fear into confidence.

 

Reconnecting People with Wildlife

For more than 25 years, Educazoo has been bringing people closer to biodiversity through educational, ethical, and memorable encounters. For the Educazoo team, helping someone overcome a fear is one of the most rewarding parts of the mission. When we better understand animals, we often develop a greater respect for them. And when we stop fearing wildlife, we become much more willing to protect it.

Snakes are always special guests on Les Poilus. They often create apprehension among both the guests and the audience. But every encounter creates unique moments—moments that people remember for a long time.

And there is no doubt that Louis T will remember his encounter with Méli Mélo, Spaghetti, Nala… and especially Jafar for years to come.