What do you recommend for the
average person who is interested in
reptiles but doesn’t know much about
them or how to go about collecting
them?
I think the average person should NOT attempt to collect
reptiles from their natural environment, although it is okay to
study them there. Before handling or owning a reptile or other
exotic pet, it is very important to compile information about
the animal and begin with a pet that has a reputation for being
tame, a beginner pet and handleable. Never jump headfirst
into a hobby without learning all you can about it first. Exotic
pets have unique and diverse needs.
What do you consider to be the best
thing about having a reptile hobby?
I think the best thing about being an exhibitor and vendor at
Repticon and privately owned shows is that I am able to travel,
meet tons of interesting people, see and interact with amazing
creatures and learn about them as well. It is amazing to have a
hobby that requires intellect, interaction, travel, some business
sense and is part of a social atmosphere.
Do you perform with the reptiles? If
so, can you explain what you do?
I do not perform with the reptiles. I dance and at one point
in the past I brought a snake into work simply for show.
Everyone loved it, but most businesses will not allow them.
At the expos, our personal collection is put on display and
we teach show-goers about the animals, where they are from,
what their needs are, how well they adapt in captivity, whether
it is acceptable to breed them and so on.
Are any of the tattoos that you
do have somehow related to your
collection/passion for reptiles?
I have one spider web tattoo on my shoulder. My other tattoos
have no relevance to my hobby. I’m actually not very interested
in reptile tattoos, but I do plan on getting a tarantula tattoo.