Where it all began

[EL-Ziggy]

My collection has grown and diversified a bit over the last couple of years but none of it would be possible if it wasn't for these 2 critters. I hadn't kept snakes in over 20 years when my son asked if we could get a pet blue lizard. We didn't see any blue lizards that day but I fell hard and fast for the striped Cal King at Petsmart. That was Feb. 2013, 4 months later I added my MBK and my serpent addiction took over from there. I've been enamored with my carpets lately but you can't forget where you came from. I thought about re-homing the kings to make room for more carpets but just can't convince myself to part with them. I owe them a huge debt of gratitude for getting me hooked on this hobby.

2012 Male Cal King- Hannibal Caesar at 665g



HC on day 1



2013 Female MBK- 850g



I call this shot Beauty & the Beast

[cron14]

My collection has grown and diversified a bit over the last couple of years but none of it would be possible if it wasn't for these 2 critters. I hadn't kept snakes in over 20 years when my son asked if we could get a pet blue lizard. We didn't see any blue lizards that day but I fell hard and fast for the striped Cal King at Petsmart. That was Feb. 2013, 4 months later I added my MBK and my serpent addiction took over from there. I've been enamored with my carpets lately but you can't forget where you came from. I thought about re-homing the kings to make room for more carpets but just can't convince myself to part with them. I owe them a huge debt of gratitude for getting me hooked on this hobby.

2012 Male Cal King- Hannibal Caesar at 665g



HC on day 1



2013 Female MBK- 850g



I call this shot Beauty & the Beast

I honestly love a lot of color in snakes but that MBK(still a newbie not sure what the morph is) is gorgeous The last picture is definitely the best one lol I can't wait to add a carpet by the end of the year. I only have one ball python and even though I probably won't get another one (a little too lethargic for me) I'll never get rid of the little guy. I gotta say I am jealous of your collection. Great stuff!

[EL-Ziggy]

Thanks cron. MBK is just jargon for Mexican Black Kingsnake. She's not a morph of any sort. She's just a normal but I still love her . My very first snake (bleems ago) was a normal BP. I can't see myself keeping them now but there are some amazing morphs available nowadays. They're just a little too sedentary for me too . My bull snakes are beautiful monsters too but carpets changed everything for me. I think you'll really enjoy keeping them. It's hard not to.

[cron14]

I love the look on bull snakes too thats why I'm such a fan of your collection. I don't know how you feel but I think you should add an SD retic legally I can't have them shipped to NY but it doesn't hurt trying to live vicariously through you

[Terminal]

Nice story ziggy and I love your collection, colubrids and all. Like you though I think there is something really special about the carpets and in spite of me trying to be strong I don't think it will be much longer before I add a third one. Not sure of the reason but you and your collection have been a real inspiration to me. Keep up the good work.

[EL-Ziggy]

@ cron- I LOVE retics but they're a little too much snake for me. They have the most amazing paint jobs ever but have you seen what they can do with those teeth?! Sorry pal, can't help you there. LOL

@ Term- Thanks for the kind words brother. Our collections are pretty similar in makeup except I don't have hoggies or corns. And that pit you recently picked up is the real cat's meow. You also motivated me to add my female carpet after you got Edith so the influences go both ways amigo.

[Reinz]

Thanks for sharing your story. I really enjoy seeing your collection as it grows and as the snakes grow as well.

I can see how those two Enticed you so. Very beautiful. That MBK is a reall grabber!

I love the shot of the MBK with the Glock!

[EL-Ziggy]

@ Reinz- You're ground zero for this recent carpet craze IMO . If you remember I was waiting on my 2015 jungle to hatch when I saw pictures of your female Coastal Lizzy. That compelled me to get my coastal which turned out to be my first carpet. Then the dominos just kept falling over and the carpet fever spread. Thank you sir . The Glock 32 is my preferred sidearm too.

[Reinz]

Lizzy was my first Carpet. I'm happy as can be with that Sweetheart. Like you and Term said, we all inspire and trigger each other to buy more! It's just part of this snake family/community I reckon.

I used to have a lot of Glocks, good and dependable. Now I'm down to only 3. For me, I'm ambivalent towards them. I prefer guns with soul, made of beauty, with metal and wood. I'm into more than just shooting them. I enjoy the craftsmanship, art and beauty. I know that I am one of the few in that respect.

[O'Mathghamhna]

Just make sure you teach the MBK good trigger control!!

Beautiful pics, and glad to know I'm not the only one with sentimental value towards my first. I can't seem to part with her, although I've been finding homes for subsequents because they were all rescues (literally found outside and not microchipped).

Thanks for the share and pics!