I'm new to this forum, but not entirely new to reptiles, nor to forums in general (you may recognize my user name from elsewhere). As a child my father had a garter snake, who ended up having babies, and I had a ball python. It's been many years since I had snakes, but I've been longing to have a rosy boa. When a coworker was given a pair, the female pregnant, I jumped at the chance. They were born on Labor Day weekend, and I brought two home. By the end of September they both had their first shed and first meal. Happily I report they not only ate, but took f/t! Its been going well since then, with regular meals every week. Even though its only been a couple of months, I love them already. I love watching them explore their enclosure. They are quite active, and remind me so much of the ball python I had and loved. I am still learning about varieties, but these two are a "hybrid" between a Mexican Rosy Boa (mom) and a California (desert?) Rosy Boa. One baby looks very much like the mom and is named "Char" ("Charcoal") and the other is more reddish colored, named "Cin" ("Cinnamon").

Other than snakes, I grew up with several species of pond turtle, California gopher tortoises, and box turtles. I currently have a California gopher tortoise (permitted) who is a few years old. My dad gave him to me when he lost his house. I have an area in my yard set aside to become his enclosure when he's big enough for me to feel comfortable leaving him out there full time. Until then, I'm working on getting it planted and set up properly for him. I do not currently have any lizards, but in the past I've had leopard geckos and a Uromastix (don't remember which species).

And finally, I'm also a field biologist. Though my specialty isn't reptiles (most of my work involves birds, while my "specialty" small mammals), I do some work with wild herps. My job has put me in contact with a number of other reptile species, mostly lizards and snakes. It's fun work and I love it.