I have posted a few questions below that I don't think anyone would have too much difficulty answering. We have all had an experience with reptiles/amphibians that has caused us to become enamored with them. Don't be afraid to answer!

When and how did you become interested in herps? What was your first pet reptile/amphibian? Why did that pet cause you to become more interested in reptiles/amphibians?



Harvey

When I was a kid growing up in Brooklyn, a hundred years ago, for as long as I could remember there was a box turtle living in our yard. We were never allowed to feed it. My Dad said it was wild, and free and didn't want it to become dependent on us. We knew winter was on it's was when my Dad raked all the leaves into a pile in the back of the yard, just in case Frank (named after our Uncle who we thought he looked like) needed a place to sleep. Then we didn't see Frank until the Spring. We couldn't wait to see which one of us saw Frank first. My Dad had a big vegetable garden, many fruit trees, and loads of compost which he made in the back of our yard, which was filled with bugs. (so much for Frank not being dependent on us) If any fruit fell, and we didn't pick it Dad would say &quot;leave it for Frank&quot;. The same with the vegetables. We always saw him munching on a tomato, or a fig, or an apricot. We also had a big strawberry patch where you could always find Frank taking a nap. The only thing my Dad did was always keep a really big dish filled with water in case Frank needed a bath or a drink. When I got married I was 22, and Frank was still there. As the years passed I used to bring my kids there to see that old boxie. He was never sick as far as we could tell. When my parents died, my sister took over the house, and there was no more vegetables. Frank left...moved into the yard next door, and now and then my sister saw the new neighbors giving him a plate of dog food, along with all the vegetables they grow. Life was so easy then..no vets...no soaking...just fun, and a healthy old boxie. I guess that's why I had to have my own. Just thought you'd enjoy some of my memories.<br><br>Post edited by: terry0, at: 2007/07/25 15:38

Many people say the same thing to me about reptiles: &quot;How can you like reptiles? You can't possibly can't get attached to them because they aren't like a dog or cat.&quot;

My reply is always: &quot;On the contrary my friend.&quot; Reptiles &amp; amphibians, may not be affectionate like dogs, cats, or other furry animals. But they make up for that in the interesting behavior and personalities they display. Each and every reptile and amphibian is different in it's own personal way. That is why Terry's story is so good. It shows you the bond you can form with a reptile. They are intelligent creatures that can actually become accustomed to you (just as a dog or cat).

I always loved animals as a child, and always frequented the petstore with my mom. I remember my first reptile/amphibian pets were a clawed frog and a longtail grass lizard. I failed at keeping them successfully, but my interest only grew from there.

My dad brought me home an female Eastern painted turtle that he found crossing the road in Brooklyn by Poly Prep High School. He brought it home to me as a pet. I kept it for a number of years and eventually let it go in Spring pond on Poillon Ave. From that day on I became fascinated by reptiles and their interesting behaviors and personalities.

I moved to Staten Island when I was 8 years old. It was like the country compared to Brooklyn. One day I was driving in the car with my mother down by the Mount on Hylan Blvd. There was a big black snake sunning itself on the pavement (Northern Black Racer). I was interested in knowing what the snake was, so I asked my science teacher the next day in school. He referred to a book written by Carl Kauffeld on North American Reptiles.

Back then my parents owned a lot of property which I was able to explore. There I would find an abundance of Garter snakes that varied in pattern, and I also found a large number of brown snakes (Storeria dekayi). This sparked my interest in reptiles, especially snakes.

My first reptile/amphibian pets included a Garter snake, African clawed frogs and a Spring Peeper I brought home. My interest in Garter snakes is still ongoing this day. I keep a variety of different North American Garter snakes, including Oregon Red Spotted Garter snakes, Puget Sound Garter snakes and Eastern Flame Garter snakes.


G. Johnson

My interest in reptiles began at an early age on my first visit to the San Diego Zoo. The reptiles on display were so varied and stunning I couldn't believe creatures like these lived around the world. I convinced my mom to allow me to get a green iguana. That was soon followed by ball pythons, milk snakes, boas and various montiors. Soon enough my bedroom began to look like a zoo. When I went off to college I had to sell everything. I always maintained my interest through zoo visits and publications. I have once again begun to keep reptiles though.