|
My name is Derek Roddy and I am an avid reptile enthusiast.
Some of you may know me in the music entertainment world…(more specifically, a Extreme Metal Drummer/Educator/Clinician) I've played with several bands in the past (Hate Eternal, Nile, Malevolent Creation, Divine Empire, To name a few) My current band is named Serpents Rise. I've authored a book and DVDs on the Extreme Drumming genre and have a new DVD on it's way....all available worldwide. To say I love what I do…is an understatement. |
I've always had an underlining passion for reptiles…snakes specifically.
Because of my parents and where I grew up in South Carolina, snakes were part of my daily life. My first captive experience was somewhat of a disappointment when my dad returned home from work with a 15 gallon tank, water bowl, hide, bedding, etc........AND, NO SNAKE!!!!!!!!
Our family vet had called earlier in the morning to tell my dad that his cat had brought home a Scarlet king.......In perfect condition, none the less!!!!
Dad went to pick it up because I had been wanting a captive snake for some time. (I was about 5 years old.)
Upon arriving...the vet had the snake in a paper grocery bag. Dad grabbed the snake and headed to the pet store to grab the previous mentioned tank.
While inside....the king pushed his way through the bottom of the bag and, got out in the car while dad was in the pet shop.
I was heartbroken when he came home with no snake and heard the story. I asked if we could go look for the snake in the parking lot!
Being the father he was, he did go and funny enough....the snake had been caught and turned into the pet store!!!
I ended up with my King after all.
A couple of years later... We got a wild corn from the curator of Brookgreen Gardens...in Litchfield Beach, SC. I kept that snake for a few years and learned a great deal about husbandry from these 2.
By the time I was in middle/high school....I was already into exotics.....(what ones were available at the time, at least.)
Burms, Balls, Boas, Carpets, Bloods.
I kept many animals through out my school years but, sold most everything off to join a band and go on tour, yadda, yadda, yadda.
Because of my parents and where I grew up in South Carolina, snakes were part of my daily life. My first captive experience was somewhat of a disappointment when my dad returned home from work with a 15 gallon tank, water bowl, hide, bedding, etc........AND, NO SNAKE!!!!!!!!
Our family vet had called earlier in the morning to tell my dad that his cat had brought home a Scarlet king.......In perfect condition, none the less!!!!
Dad went to pick it up because I had been wanting a captive snake for some time. (I was about 5 years old.)
Upon arriving...the vet had the snake in a paper grocery bag. Dad grabbed the snake and headed to the pet store to grab the previous mentioned tank.
While inside....the king pushed his way through the bottom of the bag and, got out in the car while dad was in the pet shop.
I was heartbroken when he came home with no snake and heard the story. I asked if we could go look for the snake in the parking lot!
Being the father he was, he did go and funny enough....the snake had been caught and turned into the pet store!!!
I ended up with my King after all.
A couple of years later... We got a wild corn from the curator of Brookgreen Gardens...in Litchfield Beach, SC. I kept that snake for a few years and learned a great deal about husbandry from these 2.
By the time I was in middle/high school....I was already into exotics.....(what ones were available at the time, at least.)
Burms, Balls, Boas, Carpets, Bloods.
I kept many animals through out my school years but, sold most everything off to join a band and go on tour, yadda, yadda, yadda.
I've always wanted to work with the BHP but, I never knew how much the species would effect me.
Since buying my first pair 24 years ago, I have since grown my collection to (at times) over 100 animals.
At the moment I maintain about 65 and, have moved out of most of the others species I've maintained in the past to focus on the wonderful "Shield Bearer".
Since buying my first pair 24 years ago, I have since grown my collection to (at times) over 100 animals.
At the moment I maintain about 65 and, have moved out of most of the others species I've maintained in the past to focus on the wonderful "Shield Bearer".
|
Thankfully, my wife Halle is also into the BHP and, when I'm out of town the snakes depend totally on her!
We have one of the largest and most diverse collection of Black Headed Pythons in the US and, We are consistently trying to produce the highest quality, wildest looking, brightest and highest contrasted animals available. Nature doesn't make em any better than we do here. Cheers and Happy Herping, Derek and Halle Roddy |
Halle and Isabelle
|
