HM: You’re one of many in the hobby that has a very diverse collection. Do you find it hard to focus on one project in particular or do you focus on different species each year?
AR: I really enjoy having multiple species of herps. I have always enjoyed keeping a diverse collection. For many years, I simply focused on keeping a collection without a specific focus on breeding or producing animals. I was perfectly content with my collection of random species. It was not until maybe 6 years ago that I decided I wanted to start acquiring animals for breeding projects. It has definitely been difficult to focus on projects due to the simple fact that I get excited about a species or project and it pulls my attention away. It inevitably ends up delaying other projects… like every year!
HM: If you had to focus on only one project out of what you do, what would it be?
AR: There is an ongoing debate with the voices in my head about this. We argue about it all the time and the people at the grocery store look at me funny when I answer my own questions! I am not sure I could answer that question honestly. It goes against my style to only have one project. In the near future I will likely be reducing my collection, again. I’ve said and done this before. Then I end up picking up another species that quickly turns into a dozen more and a new project. Was that a good non-answer?!
HM: What are you most excited to produce this year (2020)?
AR: Speaking of new projects. I have a couple Florida kingsnakes that I was fortunate to acquire last year. They have the potential to produce Pink Pearl Snows. The pairing is a Lavender Whitesided het Axanthic to an Axanthic het Lavender Whitesided. Besides the possible pink pearls they can produce a bunch of other cool combos. Definitely excited for the chance to see those pipping.
HM: As someone who admits to not being super active in the community, do you think that that has helped fuel your passion in the hobby since you have “the blinders on” in a sense?
AR: I have spent a lot of time interacting in forums in the past and even in the last few years on platforms like Facebook. A while back, maybe 8 or 9 years ago, I started a herpetological society. It was an attempt to garner more excitement and involvement in my local reptile community. That opened up more opportunities to meet people online. I did a better job of “staying connected” with folks back then and trying to help build the online reptile community early on. Other people help fuel my passion for reptiles. The past few years I have also been involved regionally as a vendor at our reptile shows. That is a good opportunity to connect with my local community. Being disconnected from social media though brings me back to my early years of keeping where it was just me and my animals. Much less drama and issues when all I need to do is focus on the animals. Distancing myself has also allowed me to put things into perspective and think about what I want to accomplish in this hobby.
HM: How has it been being new on the podcast scene with the Reptile Room Podcast?
AR: It has been a fun adventure! We are still new to it and figuring out our style and routine. My friend and host of the show, Riley Jimison, started the idea from a sense of necessity. Not that there were bad podcast shows but he felt there was still an opportunity to connect with other reptile keepers without being glued to a phone or tv to watch something. Him and I had a random brainstorming session. I like to support my friend’s ideas and if I can help, I try to. We were just throwing ideas around and then it just kind of happened, he asked me to be the co-host. I didn’t think I was going to be doing it with him. I was trying to help with ideas for him and someone else to do it. Somehow he wrangled me into it and now people are stuck having to listen to me ramble on. We may overthink it at times a bit because we really want to produce a fun and informative show.
HM: Because you have such a diverse collection, what would your advice be for someone who wants to pursue breeding but isn’t sure what species they should do it with?
AR: Start slow! Reptiles are exciting and it can become overwhelming quickly if you start acquiring too many animals. Which animals excite you and why? Really dig deep for those answers. It will mean the difference between having animals in your collection that you enjoy or some you aren’t too fond of. In the end, the animals suffer if you are not prepared. It has happened to me and it feels horrible. Don’t do that to the animals or yourself. If you are not happy with a decision and simply are not connected to the animal or project then attempt to move on and get the animal(s) into the hands of someone else that would like them. Nothing wrong with being wrong or making a bad decision. Just need to learn to accept it and be willing to make the difficult choice of finding a different home.
HM: And for someone who has been breeding for a long time, what would be your advice for changing things up a bit?
AR: I have not been breeding for a long time per se. I have tried off and on over the years but have never been too successful at it. Too many other life distractions and interests to be completely honest. Breeding reptiles is not something that I feel I have to accomplish in order to feel like an accomplished keeper. If things are feeling stagnant, I would suggest trying a new species that would acclimate well to your existing keeping conditions. Something that excites you! Not something to accommodate the latest trendy species.
HM: Finally, what’s your dream species that you may or may not add to your collection one day?
AR: My dream species are pure locality and captive bred Corallus batesii, the Amazon Basin Emerald Tree Boa. They are out there and not necessarily hard to acquire. Only a few people out there that are trustworthy enough though when the time comes to purchase animals. That makes it a difficult animal to acquire in my opinion. They are not a species for an average collector in my eyes. It is only a matter of time before I have some. I’m not in a place in my life though where I could dedicate the budget, space, and requirements for an ETB. The thing is, I want a gorgeous and very large bioactive enclosure that resembles a furniture piece. I want to showcase them in a way they deserve to be in my mind. Until I find myself in a position to do that, I will not own them. I have dreamt about keeping an ETB since I was 10 (30 years), so like I said, it is only a matter of time. Maybe I need to really downsize my collection so I can finally keep my dream species?! What a concept…
Anybody interested in buying some Florida Kingsnakes by chance?
