About Us

The Seeds Of Interest


My interest in reptiles first started as a small child, when I was given a book called "Unusual Pets".    I had always been interested in animals and nature, but this book was something else.    I read it from cover to cover, marvelling at the pictures.   
I was totally enthralled to learn about keeping various birds and mammals, but the section I just couldn't leave alone was entitled "Reptiles".
This showed various types of snake being kept, from kings to pythons.    As well as some less suitable reptiles, like American alligators.
All in all, I'm certain that it was this book, which sowed the seeds of interest for what was to become a major direction of my life.

The Beginings

After reading such an inspiring book, what else would any small boy want for a pet, than his very own snake?
It took quite a while to persuade my parents to let me have one, but eventually they succumbed and agreed to buy me my first snake.    I recall vividly, being take in my aunties car to pick it up.    With her being totally petrified of the little creature inside the box.    The snake in question was an "African Green Tree Snake". Not exactly an ideal starter snake for a young lad, but I thought it was brilliant.    I had hours of enjoyment looking after my pet, learning the basics of snake keeping and making a few mistakes along the way.
The next snakes I got were a pair of grass snakes (natrix natrix).    These snakes used to feed on frogs and small fish, so every Saturday would see me down at the local park, fishing net and sweet jar in hand, searching for frogs and tadpoles for my little pals.
A funny event happened one Saturday evening when my cousin who wanted to be a vet came to visit.    She watched at feeding time, whilst the snakes chased the frogs around the viv before finally catching, overpowering and swallowing them.    So far so good.    The problem arose 20 minutes later as we sat eating our meal, watching the lump in the snakes belly, gradually heading back up to its head.    The snake opened her mouth and coughed up a rather flattened but basically intact frog, which after another 10 minutes managed to stand up and hop away.    For some reason that sequence of events put everyone off their dinner.    And What's more my cousin never did become a vet.            Don't know why!!!