There was a biography about a remarkable woman named Grace Wiley. She really existed and was a reptile fan. She had pet crocs which knew their own names and came when she called.
She tamed cobras also.
See http://hclib.tumblr.com/post/4501763269/grace-wiley-snake-lady-when-minneapolis-opened.
Died of a cobra bite.
Not very well it seems........LOL!