When did you start the whole snake game ?

[mattchibi]

Just curious as to when some of you guys started getting into snakes. For most of us, that is when we got our first snake. Some of us are 10 year old veterans and some are like me.. I am a month old bp owner and I am already flabbergasted by how obsessed I am with these pets (bps and boas in particular). Eventually in my life (when I have a better flow of income), I plan to start breeding, and I wanted to see how long it took from your first appreciation of snakes to now, as a breeder.

Any reponses are welcome.. So yea, how long have YOU been in the snake game ? And what does it take to start breeding (how much knowledge / experience do you need?)

Cheers!
Matt

[cmack91]

i started when i was 6-7 by catching garter snakes and frogs in my backyard and chasing my sisters through the house with them lol. i got my first pet snake when i was 10-11, it was a snow corn snake, sadly, it died soon after due to my dad over feeding it while i was gone. then i got my first bp, and i still have him today after 5yrs. ive also owned another bp, a cali kingsnake, a scrub python, red eared sliders, fire bellie toads, a bearded dragon, gerbils, rats, finches, parakeets, and of course, cats. and i just got my first rtb on saturday

[EverEvolvingExotics]

I have been fascinated by reptiles and amphibians ever since I can remember. I grew up trying to find and catch them all. My Mom refused to let me have a snake in the house. The day I turned 18 I made the choice to get my first slithering reptile, a cornsnake, without my parents consent. Within a month I found a sale on BPs at petco, I had to have one. I have been wanting to breed them ever since. I've been researching and keeping them for 6 years now. I will begin my first pairings within the next month; with 5 females and 2-4 males. It's quite amazing to say the least!

[BallsUnlimited]

since i was about 10 im now 25

[llovelace]

Been keeping reptiles since I was around 8 yrs old.....long long time

[Mike Cavanaugh]

27 years... man, I am getting old...

[benwallage9]

I caught garter snakes, frogs, racers, tadpoles, etc and would keep them for a week or so before letting them go. I started working at a pet store where she had lizards no snakes. I wanted a reptile but didn't want to deal with crickets so I got my first corn snake at 19 years old I still have it but it was to flighty for me I wanted something more relaxed. I got on craigslist found a bp at a rescue. that was 2 years ago I now have 9 snakes total. I have two pairings this year and plan to keep expanding the collection.

as far as knowledge/experience you really don't need any to breed/keep snakes (other then proper temps and two snakes). But to do it the right way is a whole different story. I've literally spent hundreds of hours searching on how to keep them how to breed them, reading info on forums various breeders sites and watching to many youtube videos to count, especially videos from big breeders, love snakebytes lol. I just got my first boa about 5 months ago and plan to get her a mate and try breeding boas if I'm successful with bps.

[snake lab]

My first was a black snake i caught all by myself at the prime age of 7 and put it in a shoebox with baseball cards for substrate and a thermos top for a water bowl. Kept it out of site under my bed till it got out and thats the day my moms fear of snakes started as well. So it was a first for both of us lol for me it was love, for my mom it was utter panic.
Started breeding in highschool in the late 80s early 90s. Im 38 now so its been a few years

[mattchibi]

Reading all your responses has got me so hyped!! I cant wait to get my second snake and start expanding my collection!

The parentals are old school & Chinese and are frowning at the fact that my new amazing black PVC enclosure looks too much like a coffin & they want me to exchange it for something that looks nicer. (LOL) I said "When I move out im gonna have a whole snake room, you know that right?" My mom looked terrified XD

Im only 20 now, still got lots to learn. I guess I have from now until I have a stable career and im out of school to learn about breeding bps, hopefully I'll know everything there is to know by then ^^ Thanks for sharing guys, more responses are welcome too!

[waltah!]

I first got into reptiles when I was about 14. I was the kid everyone called when they found a snake in their house for removal. My Mother wouldn't let me keep snakes, so I volunteered at the local Nature Society taking care of their animals and doing little shows for schools through them. That was about 26 yrs ago.