When we decided to do an all chondro issue of the magazine the first person that came to mind for the Industry Spotlight was David Brahms. For those who aren’t familiar with David and what he does, let this be a formal introduction to a hobbyist who took a new age technology and found ingenious ways to apply it to the animals we keep in the hobby. This made him an easy choice for this piece as he’s single-handedly moved the hobby forward through technology! In this Q&A we get the story of how Specialty Enclosure Designs came to be and more.
HM: What made you start Specialty Enclosure Designs?
DB: The concept of starting Specialty Enclosure Designs was created out of the need for husbandry equipment that was geared specifically for arboreal reptiles. Previous to this endeavor I typically used items that were meant for other applications and repurposed them for this hobby. This never sat well with me because things never fit the way they should or the colors didn’t match etc. By utilizing 3-D printing I was able to start a cottage scale manufacturing operation that has continued to grow along with the overall interest in arboreals since 2016.
HM: Do you come from an engineering background and what made 3-D printing click in your head as something that could help the hobby?
DB: My official “day-job” title is New Product Development Manager for a company that produces materials used in Aerospace, Ballistics, and Industrial Safety. I’ve always enjoyed mechanical engineering and design and originally started using 3-D printers as a way for my son and I to have fun working together learning this evolving technology. After we learned the basics, I quickly realized how useful this method of manufacturing would be when it comes to the keeping of arboreal snakes and reptiles in general. No longer would I need to wait for larger companies to pay attention to the needs of us niche keepers.
HM: Were you keeping chondros before you started the business?
DB: I acquired my first GTP around 2013 and quickly started thinking of things I thought would make the animals more comfortable in their enclosures, and also assist me as the keeper. After I started building my collection and the animals started to grow I acquired my first 3D printer in 2015 and it didn’t take long before I started using that technology to develop products specifically for these incredible animals.
HM: When did you get into GTPs?
DB: Ever since I started keeping reptiles as a kid (some 41 years ago) I have always wanted to keep GTPs. It wasn’t until 2013 that I decided to take the plunge and I haven’t looked back.
HM: What does your collection consist of now and how has it changed over the years?
DB: When I decided to get into keeping and breeding GTP’s the animals that always drew me in were the ones that originate north of the Central Cordillera. Based on the new taxonomic classification these would be Morelia azurea and more specifically I really liked the Morelia azurea pulcher subspecies that come from the Manokwari area. With this in mind I have kept the focus of my collection on the Manokwari locality and for the most part have stayed the course. In addition to that locality I have also included Wamena, Biak, and some Aru (viridis) in the collection. My goal is to focus on breeding and maintaining locality bloodlines but will also potentially cross localities if there appears to be a possible interesting outcome from the pairing.
HM: How do you think the community can continue to innovate in ways like you have with S3D?
DB: That’s a great question and one I find hard to answer. There’s no telling where things will go from here but as long as people are willing to keep an open mind and try thinking outside the box a little I am sure things will keep evolving. There are many aspects of GTP husbandry that we do not have completely figured out that will require people to try new things and experiment. That’s one of the things I like most about keeping these animals….if it were super easy and everything was figured out it wouldn’t be as much fun to keep them.
HM: What would be your advice for someone who wants to take the plunge into chondros?
DB: This is an easy one but not often taken to heart by the new keepers. Listen to those who have carved out the path before you and take their advice. It will make you a happier keeper, and more importantly your animals will live longer healthier lives. Don’t just listen to those who blast social media with their presence…rather seek out those who actually have the experience when it comes to dealing with various health issues, have been successful breeding and raising babies, and have a great reputation in the community. Remember the loudest voices aren’t always the ones you should listen to.
