Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This is what I've been doing on Sundays since the middle of August...bringing my snakes to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival to educate people and help them get over their fear of snakes. I look as tired as I felt last Sunday (didn't get a lot of sleep the night before). Visitors kept telling me that my hair under my black snood (a black net hat) matched my snake's color and black markings. I always wear snake jewelry out there too---in this case, a carved stone snake pendant and earrings---and people get a kick out of that.

My lovely daughter Victoria came with me and is holding one of my corn snakes, Dageurre, in front of Como Cottage, the Ren Fest home base of the Minnesota Herpetological Society. We always have Smiley the alligator, various turtles and tortoises, reptiles and snakes behind our fenced-in yard (with a separate alligator pond). We invite visitors to come up to the fence or tables where we sit and gently touch the animals and talk to us.

Sunday was the very first time I brought Loki out there (I thought he was too young last year). He did great, although by the end of his second shift he was trying to hide his head under his coils. The corn snakes are old pros and don't get intimidated that easily.

It was cloudy a lot (as you can see in the photos) but when the sun came out, I showed visitors how BRBs got their "rainbow" moniker by turning Loki in all directions so they could see the famous iridescence. Lots of people (especially women) said "I want one of those snakes!" Loki makes a good rainbow boa ambassador!

-----
Renee
1.0 BRB (Loki)
2.0 amel & anery corns (Foxfire & Daguerre)
0.1 blood python (Duchess, arriving later this month)
1.1 Cats (Nightshade & Cuzzy)

Looks like fun and great PR.

I have noticed a significant percentage of my customers are female.
-----
Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Yeah, at the last Herp Society meeting a guy from outstate Minnesota showed up (the meeting's in St. Paul) and complained there were no women in his area who liked reptiles. I told him to look around---half of the members of the Herp Society are women, and I bet there are women in his area who like reptiles; there's just no forum for meeting them. At the Ren Fest I hear from at least as many women as men who love snakes---but their significant other won't let them get one. It's a myth that women hate/fear snakes! (Although of course, some people of both genders do...)

>>Looks like fun and great PR.
>>
>>I have noticed a significant percentage of my customers are female.
>>-----
>>Thanks,
>>
>>
>>Dave Colling
>>
>>www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com
>>
>>
>>
>>0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
>>0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)
>>
>>LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
>>26.49 BRB
>>20.21 BCI
>>And those are only the breeders
>>
>>lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats
-----
Renee
1.0 BRB (Loki)
2.0 amel & anery corns (Foxfire & Daguerre)
0.1 blood python (Duchess, arriving later this month)
1.1 Cats (Nightshade & Cuzzy)

Very cool! Man, I haven't been to the Ren Fest out there in Shakopee in years! I used to go every year when I was little, and it was so much fun! Someday I'll get back out there.

Loki has grown since I saw him last! WOW! At least I'm pretty sure it was him, as he was the only BRB at Leaping Lizards that I saw. Not too long later you were posting Loki in the forums, so I'm pretty sure it was the same one.

Looks like you've been having fun, and it's always great to see people educating others about snakes.
-----
Aubrey Ross

©
www.SlipstreamSerpents.com

If you do come to the Ren Fest Aubrey, stop by Como Cottage to see the herp people. The Fest runs through the end of September. I'm out there most Sundays (since they need people more on that day).

Yes, Loki has doubled in size since I got him, although he's still less than 4 feet long---so for now my corn snakes have the size advantage.

Loki and his iridescence were a huge hit last Sunday, but this Sunday is supposed to be cloudy, so he probably won't impress as much. If it's cool, I may have to keep him close to my body all day. There's no electricity in the cottage, just a fireplace which we keeep going on cool days, with all the animals piled in their tubs nearby when they're not outside meeting people.

>>Very cool! Man, I haven't been to the Ren Fest out there in Shakopee in years! I used to go every year when I was little, and it was so much fun! Someday I'll get back out there.
>>
>>Loki has grown since I saw him last! WOW! At least I'm pretty sure it was him, as he was the only BRB at Leaping Lizards that I saw. Not too long later you were posting Loki in the forums, so I'm pretty sure it was the same one.
>>
>>Looks like you've been having fun, and it's always great to see people educating others about snakes.
>>-----
>>Aubrey Ross
>>
>>©
>>www.SlipstreamSerpents.com
-----
Renee
1.0 BRB (Loki)
2.0 amel & anery corns (Foxfire & Daguerre)
0.1 blood python (Duchess, arriving later this month)
1.1 Cats (Nightshade & Cuzzy)

Very nice educational pro active day off, me I sit on my butt when on vacation. Sloth I am. Good for you!!!

>>This is what I've been doing on Sundays since the middle of August...bringing my snakes to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival to educate people and help them get over their fear of snakes. I look as tired as I felt last Sunday (didn't get a lot of sleep the night before). Visitors kept telling me that my hair under my black snood (a black net hat) matched my snake's color and black markings. I always wear snake jewelry out there too---in this case, a carved stone snake pendant and earrings---and people get a kick out of that.
>>
>>My lovely daughter Victoria came with me and is holding one of my corn snakes, Dageurre, in front of Como Cottage, the Ren Fest home base of the Minnesota Herpetological Society. We always have Smiley the alligator, various turtles and tortoises, reptiles and snakes behind our fenced-in yard (with a separate alligator pond). We invite visitors to come up to the fence or tables where we sit and gently touch the animals and talk to us.
>>
>>Sunday was the very first time I brought Loki out there (I thought he was too young last year). He did great, although by the end of his second shift he was trying to hide his head under his coils. The corn snakes are old pros and don't get intimidated that easily.
>>
>>It was cloudy a lot (as you can see in the photos) but when the sun came out, I showed visitors how BRBs got their "rainbow" moniker by turning Loki in all directions so they could see the famous iridescence. Lots of people (especially women) said "I want one of those snakes!" Loki makes a good rainbow boa ambassador!
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>-----
>>Renee
>>1.0 BRB (Loki)
>>2.0 amel & anery corns (Foxfire & Daguerre)
>>0.1 blood python (Duchess, arriving later this month)
>>1.1 Cats (Nightshade & Cuzzy)
-----
=========================================================
Roberts Realm Of Reptile Research
=========================================================
Thanks,

I opened my mouth and out flowed a melody black.

I get to sit too, Frank, and also field lots of questions such as:
"Is that real?" (while the snake is moving and flicking its tongue)
"Is it poisonous?" (as the quetioner draws back nervously)

It can be very entertaining; especially the visitors who come back repeatedly to see the snakes and talk to me---such as the cute teenage girls who had to show me their cell phone photos of the "hot pickle boy." (All the boys who sell pickles for a buck are shirtless and make every possible phallic inuendo).

At 11:30 am we're all required to bring our animals in the daily parade that winds through the grounds (it lasts a little less than half an hour) and we'll get lots of interesting comments from watching bystanders. Some insist the snakes are fake. We invite them to come by Como Cottage and see for themselves.

>>Very nice educational pro active day off, me I sit on my butt when on vacation. Sloth I am. Good for you!!!
>>
>>
-----
Renee
1.0 BRB (Loki)
2.0 amel & anery corns (Foxfire & Daguerre)
0.1 blood python (Duchess, arriving later this month)
1.1 Cats (Nightshade & Cuzzy)

>>I get to sit too, Frank, and also field lots of questions such as:
>>"Is that real?" (while the snake is moving and flicking its tongue)
>>"Is it poisonous?" (as the quetioner draws back nervously)

Hm, is there any humorous and/or friendly way to say, "The correct term is 'venomous,' and of course he's not - do I look that irresponsible and dangerous to you?"
-----
0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko - Tigger
0.1 Crested Gecko - Pooh-Bear

(I didn't mean to imply that *owning* a venomous snake is inherently irresponsible, just that freehandling one at all, let alone in public, very much is.)
-----
0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko - Tigger
0.1 Crested Gecko - Pooh-Bear

Honestly, IMO even owning one is irresponsible. As an owner of dozens (OK, over a hundred) harmless snakes, I would not like to find out a neighbor was keeping venomous ones. If one of mine gets out (rare but does happen) could scare someone but that's about it. What if a venomous one gets out. AND, what if it's not a "local variety" that hospitals stock anti-venom for???

Here in CA we do get the occasional big shake, East Bay Vivarium lost MANY snakes in the Loma Prieta earthquake. Some were killed by falling stuff, I'd bet money some were never found....but all were harmless so no really big deal.
-----
Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Well, I'm not about to own one, as that's not a responsibility I want to deal with, but I think it is possible to do responsibly. Obviously it requires a level of commitment to safe practices that most people are not capable of. I think this guy does a pretty good job though, and if nothing else, it's very interesting to see him work with them:

www.youtube.com/user/viperkeeper

I certainly like his disclaimer.
-----
0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko - Tigger
0.1 Crested Gecko - Pooh-Bear

There are definitely irresponsible people who think it's cool to own a "hot" snake; one guy in St. Paul had all kinds of dangerous snakes that he stowed in his Mom's garage when he got evicted from an apartment. Then he just took off and left them there; his poor Mom didn't have a clue what to do with them and certainly didn't want them. They ended up being turned over to the Herp Society (we do adoptions and rescues) but few of us want to deal with venomous snakes.

There is one guy who owns a ton of different kinds of rattlesnakes---but he's an expert. He brought them to a meeting when he did a presentation and I was amazed at how different the rattlesnake species are---one (a timber rattlesnake from Minnesota) was incredibly colorful---much more beautiful than I realized those snakes could be. But I wouldn't want one! They were rattling so loudly from inside their glass and metal lock boxes that you knew they were all pissed! (I don't even want to think about how he managed to cram all those angry snakes in those little boxes to bring to the meeting!)

>>Honestly, IMO even owning one is irresponsible. As an owner of dozens (OK, over a hundred) harmless snakes, I would not like to find out a neighbor was keeping venomous ones. If one of mine gets out (rare but does happen) could scare someone but that's about it. What if a venomous one gets out. AND, what if it's not a "local variety" that hospitals stock anti-venom for???
>>
>>Here in CA we do get the occasional big shake, East Bay Vivarium lost MANY snakes in the Loma Prieta earthquake. Some were killed by falling stuff, I'd bet money some were never found....but all were harmless so no really big deal.
>>-----
>>Thanks,
>>
>>
>>Dave Colling
>>
>>www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com
>>
>>
>>
>>0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
>>0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)
>>
>>LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
>>26.49 BRB
>>20.21 BCI
>>And those are only the breeders
>>
>>lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats
-----
Renee
1.0 BRB (Loki)
2.0 amel & anery corns (Foxfire & Daguerre)
0.1 blood python (Duchess, arriving later this month)
1.1 Cats (Nightshade & Cuzzy)

Some of the herpers can respond rather sarcasticly to silly questions, but I always try to be pleasant. I ask the questioner if they think it would be smart for us to invite people to handle deadly snakes. Of course they say NO! and I tell them, of course we wouldn't. None of the snakes we bring to the festival are venomous (they get to hear the correct word)---and I personally wouldn't want to own a venomous snake!

>>>>I get to sit too, Frank, and also field lots of questions such as:
>>>>"Is that real?" (while the snake is moving and flicking its tongue)
>>>>"Is it poisonous?" (as the quetioner draws back nervously)
>>
>>Hm, is there any humorous and/or friendly way to say, "The correct term is 'venomous,' and of course he's not - do I look that irresponsible and dangerous to you?"
>>-----
>>0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko - Tigger
>>0.1 Crested Gecko - Pooh-Bear
-----
Renee
1.0 BRB (Loki)
2.0 amel & anery corns (Foxfire & Daguerre)
0.1 blood python (Duchess, arriving later this month)
1.1 Cats (Nightshade & Cuzzy)

Kewl stuff, IS that real ? LOL...

People ask silly questions, have not yet to see a fake snake move like a real one.

>>I get to sit too, Frank, and also field lots of questions such as:
>>"Is that real?" (while the snake is moving and flicking its tongue)
>>"Is it poisonous?" (as the quetioner draws back nervously)
>>
>>It can be very entertaining; especially the visitors who come back repeatedly to see the snakes and talk to me---such as the cute teenage girls who had to show me their cell phone photos of the "hot pickle boy." (All the boys who sell pickles for a buck are shirtless and make every possible phallic inuendo).
>>
>>At 11:30 am we're all required to bring our animals in the daily parade that winds through the grounds (it lasts a little less than half an hour) and we'll get lots of interesting comments from watching bystanders. Some insist the snakes are fake. We invite them to come by Como Cottage and see for themselves.
>>
>>>>Very nice educational pro active day off, me I sit on my butt when on vacation. Sloth I am. Good for you!!!
>>>>
>>>>
>>-----
>>Renee
>>1.0 BRB (Loki)
>>2.0 amel & anery corns (Foxfire & Daguerre)
>>0.1 blood python (Duchess, arriving later this month)
>>1.1 Cats (Nightshade & Cuzzy)
-----
=========================================================
Roberts Realm Of Reptile Research
=========================================================
Thanks,

I opened my mouth and out flowed a melody black.

Yeah, on the fence we always joke about how sophisticated robot snake technology has apparently gotten....

>>Kewl stuff, IS that real ? LOL...
>>
>>People ask silly questions, have not yet to see a fake snake move like a real one.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>>>I get to sit too, Frank, and also field lots of questions such as:
>>>>"Is that real?" (while the snake is moving and flicking its tongue)
>>>>"Is it poisonous?" (as the quetioner draws back nervously)
>>>>
>>>>It can be very entertaining; especially the visitors who come back repeatedly to see the snakes and talk to me---such as the cute teenage girls who had to show me their cell phone photos of the "hot pickle boy." (All the boys who sell pickles for a buck are shirtless and make every possible phallic inuendo).
>>>>
>>>>At 11:30 am we're all required to bring our animals in the daily parade that winds through the grounds (it lasts a little less than half an hour) and we'll get lots of interesting comments from watching bystanders. Some insist the snakes are fake. We invite them to come by Como Cottage and see for themselves.
>>>>
>>>>>>Very nice educational pro active day off, me I sit on my butt when on vacation. Sloth I am. Good for you!!!
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>-----
>>>>Renee
>>>>1.0 BRB (Loki)
>>>>2.0 amel & anery corns (Foxfire & Daguerre)
>>>>0.1 blood python (Duchess, arriving later this month)
>>>>1.1 Cats (Nightshade & Cuzzy)
>>-----
>>=========================================================
>> Roberts Realm Of Reptile Research
>>=========================================================
>>Thanks,
>>
>>Frank Roberts
>>
>>
>>
>>I opened my mouth and out flowed a melody black.
-----
Renee
1.0 BRB (Loki)
2.0 amel & anery corns (Foxfire & Daguerre)
0.1 blood python (Duchess, arriving later this month)
1.1 Cats (Nightshade & Cuzzy)

This reminded me of a funny story. We had a White's Tree frog a while ago, and my son showed it to my mother. She thought he was trying to scare her with a fake rubber frog, so she faked being scared, and then poked it. Funny thing is, she really got scared when it moved!

>>Kewl stuff, IS that real ? LOL...
>>
>>People ask silly questions, have not yet to see a fake snake move like a real one.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>>>I get to sit too, Frank, and also field lots of questions such as:
>>>>"Is that real?" (while the snake is moving and flicking its tongue)
>>>>"Is it poisonous?" (as the quetioner draws back nervously)
>>>>
>>>>It can be very entertaining; especially the visitors who come back repeatedly to see the snakes and talk to me---such as the cute teenage girls who had to show me their cell phone photos of the "hot pickle boy." (All the boys who sell pickles for a buck are shirtless and make every possible phallic inuendo).
>>>>
>>>>At 11:30 am we're all required to bring our animals in the daily parade that winds through the grounds (it lasts a little less than half an hour) and we'll get lots of interesting comments from watching bystanders. Some insist the snakes are fake. We invite them to come by Como Cottage and see for themselves.
>>>>
>>>>>>Very nice educational pro active day off, me I sit on my butt when on vacation. Sloth I am. Good for you!!!
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>-----
>>>>Renee
>>>>1.0 BRB (Loki)
>>>>2.0 amel & anery corns (Foxfire & Daguerre)
>>>>0.1 blood python (Duchess, arriving later this month)
>>>>1.1 Cats (Nightshade & Cuzzy)
>>-----
>>=========================================================
>> Roberts Realm Of Reptile Research
>>=========================================================
>>Thanks,
>>
>>Frank Roberts
>>
>>
>>
>>I opened my mouth and out flowed a melody black.

That's hilarious! Are White's the large tree frogs from Austalia? They're adorable. I'm amazed she'd be afraid of them! So what does she think of your snakes?

>>This reminded me of a funny story. We had a White's Tree frog a while ago, and my son showed it to my mother. She thought he was trying to scare her with a fake rubber frog, so she faked being scared, and then poked it. Funny thing is, she really got scared when it moved!
>>
>>
>>>>Kewl stuff, IS that real ? LOL...
>>>>
>>>>People ask silly questions, have not yet to see a fake snake move like a real one.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>>I get to sit too, Frank, and also field lots of questions such as:
>>>>>>"Is that real?" (while the snake is moving and flicking its tongue)
>>>>>>"Is it poisonous?" (as the quetioner draws back nervously)
>>>>>>
>>>>>>It can be very entertaining; especially the visitors who come back repeatedly to see the snakes and talk to me---such as the cute teenage girls who had to show me their cell phone photos of the "hot pickle boy." (All the boys who sell pickles for a buck are shirtless and make every possible phallic inuendo).
>>>>>>
>>>>>>At 11:30 am we're all required to bring our animals in the daily parade that winds through the grounds (it lasts a little less than half an hour) and we'll get lots of interesting comments from watching bystanders. Some insist the snakes are fake. We invite them to come by Como Cottage and see for themselves.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Very nice educational pro active day off, me I sit on my butt when on vacation. Sloth I am. Good for you!!!
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>-----
>>>>>>Renee
>>>>>>1.0 BRB (Loki)
>>>>>>2.0 amel & anery corns (Foxfire & Daguerre)
>>>>>>0.1 blood python (Duchess, arriving later this month)
>>>>>>1.1 Cats (Nightshade & Cuzzy)
>>>>-----
>>>>=========================================================
>>>> Roberts Realm Of Reptile Research
>>>>=========================================================
>>>>Thanks,
>>>>
>>>>Frank Roberts
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>I opened my mouth and out flowed a melody black.
-----
Renee
1.0 BRB (Loki)
2.0 amel & anery corns (Foxfire & Daguerre)
0.1 blood python (Duchess, arriving later this month)
1.1 Cats (Nightshade & Cuzzy)

Yes, they are large Australian tree frogs, also called Dumpy Tree frogs. They are actually awesome pets, they seem to be
much more tolerant of (proper) handling than most frogs, and they
definitely are comical looking.

My mom doesn't mind herps. She and my dad bought me lizards and let me keep garter snakes and turtles when I was growing up. That's the funny thing about the frog incident. She's not scared of them, but was pretending to be afraid because she thought my son was trying to scare her with a fake frog. So when it moved, it really startled her.

Thanks,
Ed

>>That's hilarious! Are White's the large tree frogs from Austalia? They're adorable. I'm amazed she'd be afraid of them! So what does she think of your snakes?
>>
>>>>This reminded me of a funny story. We had a White's Tree frog a while ago, and my son showed it to my mother. She thought he was trying to scare her with a fake rubber frog, so she faked being scared, and then poked it. Funny thing is, she really got scared when it moved!
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>>Kewl stuff, IS that real ? LOL...
>>>>>>
>>>>>>People ask silly questions, have not yet to see a fake snake move like a real one.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>I get to sit too, Frank, and also field lots of questions such as:
>>>>>>>>"Is that real?" (while the snake is moving and flicking its tongue)
>>>>>>>>"Is it poisonous?" (as the quetioner draws back nervously)
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>It can be very entertaining; especially the visitors who come back repeatedly to see the snakes and talk to me---such as the cute teenage girls who had to show me their cell phone photos of the "hot pickle boy." (All the boys who sell pickles for a buck are shirtless and make every possible phallic inuendo).
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>At 11:30 am we're all required to bring our animals in the daily parade that winds through the grounds (it lasts a little less than half an hour) and we'll get lots of interesting comments from watching bystanders. Some insist the snakes are fake. We invite them to come by Como Cottage and see for themselves.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>Very nice educational pro active day off, me I sit on my butt when on vacation. Sloth I am. Good for you!!!
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>-----
>>>>>>>>Renee
>>>>>>>>1.0 BRB (Loki)
>>>>>>>>2.0 amel & anery corns (Foxfire & Daguerre)
>>>>>>>>0.1 blood python (Duchess, arriving later this month)
>>>>>>>>1.1 Cats (Nightshade & Cuzzy)
>>>>>>-----
>>>>>>=========================================================
>>>>>> Roberts Realm Of Reptile Research
>>>>>>=========================================================
>>>>>>Thanks,
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Frank Roberts
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I opened my mouth and out flowed a melody black.
>>-----
>>Renee
>>1.0 BRB (Loki)
>>2.0 amel & anery corns (Foxfire & Daguerre)
>>0.1 blood python (Duchess, arriving later this month)
>>1.1 Cats (Nightshade & Cuzzy)

It's great that your parents enabled your love of herps. If parents don't convey fear of reptiles and amphibians, that's often enough for kids to get interested in them---even if the parents don't love them. My parents taught me how to catch garter snakes when we were little, and that's when my interest in snakes began---although I'm the only one among my siblings with the interest, certainly none of the others are afraid of them.

>>Yes, they are large Australian tree frogs, also called Dumpy Tree frogs. They are actually awesome pets, they seem to be
>>much more tolerant of (proper) handling than most frogs, and they
>>definitely are comical looking.
>>
>>My mom doesn't mind herps. She and my dad bought me lizards and let me keep garter snakes and turtles when I was growing up. That's the funny thing about the frog incident. She's not scared of them, but was pretending to be afraid because she thought my son was trying to scare her with a fake frog. So when it moved, it really startled her.
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Ed
>>
>>>>That's hilarious! Are White's the large tree frogs from Austalia? They're adorable. I'm amazed she'd be afraid of them! So what does she think of your snakes?
>>>>
>>>>>>This reminded me of a funny story. We had a White's Tree frog a while ago, and my son showed it to my mother. She thought he was trying to scare her with a fake rubber frog, so she faked being scared, and then poked it. Funny thing is, she really got scared when it moved!
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Kewl stuff, IS that real ? LOL...
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>People ask silly questions, have not yet to see a fake snake move like a real one.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>I get to sit too, Frank, and also field lots of questions such as:
>>>>>>>>>>"Is that real?" (while the snake is moving and flicking its tongue)
>>>>>>>>>>"Is it poisonous?" (as the quetioner draws back nervously)
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>It can be very entertaining; especially the visitors who come back repeatedly to see the snakes and talk to me---such as the cute teenage girls who had to show me their cell phone photos of the "hot pickle boy." (All the boys who sell pickles for a buck are shirtless and make every possible phallic inuendo).
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>At 11:30 am we're all required to bring our animals in the daily parade that winds through the grounds (it lasts a little less than half an hour) and we'll get lots of interesting comments from watching bystanders. Some insist the snakes are fake. We invite them to come by Como Cottage and see for themselves.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>Very nice educational pro active day off, me I sit on my butt when on vacation. Sloth I am. Good for you!!!
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>-----
>>>>>>>>>>Renee
>>>>>>>>>>1.0 BRB (Loki)
>>>>>>>>>>2.0 amel & anery corns (Foxfire & Daguerre)
>>>>>>>>>>0.1 blood python (Duchess, arriving later this month)
>>>>>>>>>>1.1 Cats (Nightshade & Cuzzy)
>>>>>>>>-----
>>>>>>>>=========================================================
>>>>>>>> Roberts Realm Of Reptile Research
>>>>>>>>=========================================================
>>>>>>>>Thanks,
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Frank Roberts
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>I opened my mouth and out flowed a melody black.
>>>>-----
>>>>Renee
>>>>1.0 BRB (Loki)
>>>>2.0 amel & anery corns (Foxfire & Daguerre)
>>>>0.1 blood python (Duchess, arriving later this month)
>>>>1.1 Cats (Nightshade & Cuzzy)
-----
Renee
1.0 BRB (Loki)
2.0 amel & anery corns (Foxfire & Daguerre)
0.1 blood python (Duchess, arriving later this month)
1.1 Cats (Nightshade & Cuzzy)

Great job Renee. Looks like a fun time. Glad your BRB handled it well also!

Thanks for sharing the pics.

Ed

>>This is what I've been doing on Sundays since the middle of August...bringing my snakes to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival to educate people and help them get over their fear of snakes. I look as tired as I felt last Sunday (didn't get a lot of sleep the night before). Visitors kept telling me that my hair under my black snood (a black net hat) matched my snake's color and black markings. I always wear snake jewelry out there too---in this case, a carved stone snake pendant and earrings---and people get a kick out of that.
>>
>>My lovely daughter Victoria came with me and is holding one of my corn snakes, Dageurre, in front of Como Cottage, the Ren Fest home base of the Minnesota Herpetological Society. We always have Smiley the alligator, various turtles and tortoises, reptiles and snakes behind our fenced-in yard (with a separate alligator pond). We invite visitors to come up to the fence or tables where we sit and gently touch the animals and talk to us.
>>
>>Sunday was the very first time I brought Loki out there (I thought he was too young last year). He did great, although by the end of his second shift he was trying to hide his head under his coils. The corn snakes are old pros and don't get intimidated that easily.
>>
>>It was cloudy a lot (as you can see in the photos) but when the sun came out, I showed visitors how BRBs got their "rainbow" moniker by turning Loki in all directions so they could see the famous iridescence. Lots of people (especially women) said "I want one of those snakes!" Loki makes a good rainbow boa ambassador!
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>-----
>>Renee
>>1.0 BRB (Loki)
>>2.0 amel & anery corns (Foxfire & Daguerre)
>>0.1 blood python (Duchess, arriving later this month)
>>1.1 Cats (Nightshade & Cuzzy)

Thanks, Ed! The high temperature Sunday is only supposed to reach 62 degrees, so I don't think Loki will make it out there this weekend, alas! I'll have to settle for the corn snakes.

>>Great job Renee. Looks like a fun time. Glad your BRB handled it well also!
>>
>>Thanks for sharing the pics.
>>
>>Ed
>>
>>>>This is what I've been doing on Sundays since the middle of August...bringing my snakes to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival to educate people and help them get over their fear of snakes. I look as tired as I felt last Sunday (didn't get a lot of sleep the night before). Visitors kept telling me that my hair under my black snood (a black net hat) matched my snake's color and black markings. I always wear snake jewelry out there too---in this case, a carved stone snake pendant and earrings---and people get a kick out of that.
>>>>
>>>>My lovely daughter Victoria came with me and is holding one of my corn snakes, Dageurre, in front of Como Cottage, the Ren Fest home base of the Minnesota Herpetological Society. We always have Smiley the alligator, various turtles and tortoises, reptiles and snakes behind our fenced-in yard (with a separate alligator pond). We invite visitors to come up to the fence or tables where we sit and gently touch the animals and talk to us.
>>>>
>>>>Sunday was the very first time I brought Loki out there (I thought he was too young last year). He did great, although by the end of his second shift he was trying to hide his head under his coils. The corn snakes are old pros and don't get intimidated that easily.
>>>>
>>>>It was cloudy a lot (as you can see in the photos) but when the sun came out, I showed visitors how BRBs got their "rainbow" moniker by turning Loki in all directions so they could see the famous iridescence. Lots of people (especially women) said "I want one of those snakes!" Loki makes a good rainbow boa ambassador!
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>-----
>>>>Renee
>>>>1.0 BRB (Loki)
>>>>2.0 amel & anery corns (Foxfire & Daguerre)
>>>>0.1 blood python (Duchess, arriving later this month)
>>>>1.1 Cats (Nightshade & Cuzzy)
-----
Renee
1.0 BRB (Loki)
2.0 amel & anery corns (Foxfire & Daguerre)
0.1 blood python (Duchess, arriving later this month)
1.1 Cats (Nightshade & Cuzzy)

great pictures Renee the best part about ren fairs is dressing up! i feel like a major geek saying that but i dont care. i am very jealous or your herp shows, herp societies, and ren fairs!! i dont have any of those here in alburquerque!! nothing.

you two look great by the way
-----
-Stephen-
-Step-
-Steve Lightning-

0.1 soon to be wifey (hopefully)
1.0 rotwiler/chow (Boomer-wifey's pooch)
1.0 norm corn (Jake aka grumpy old terdhead)
1.0 col redtail boa (Switch, formally known as Dixie)
0.1 ball python (Bella- wifey's baby girl)
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Saphira)

hopeful for not to distant future:
--Brazilian rainbow boas
2 or 3 more? maybe a breeding trio or two pair
-- something for the wifey... my list got to big...

Thanks, Stephen!
Dressing up is fun---and it's also more fun to be part of the action than just watching it. I'm surprised there are no herp societies or shows in Alburquerque; I always thought there was MORE reptile action south of here. We have so few native snakes up north. Although interestingly, of the nearly 40 animals up for adoption at this evening's Herp Society meeting, the most popular were the local animals such as the hognose and bull snakes. Nobody was eager to adopt the alligator (we get too many of those).

>>great pictures Renee the best part about ren fairs is dressing up! i feel like a major geek saying that but i dont care. i am very jealous or your herp shows, herp societies, and ren fairs!! i dont have any of those here in alburquerque!! nothing.
>>
>>you two look great by the way
>>-----
>>-Stephen-
>>-Step-
>>-Steve Lightning-
>>
>>0.1 soon to be wifey (hopefully)
>>1.0 rotwiler/chow (Boomer-wifey's pooch)
>>1.0 norm corn (Jake aka grumpy old terdhead)
>>1.0 col redtail boa (Switch, formally known as Dixie)
>>0.1 ball python (Bella- wifey's baby girl)
>>0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Saphira)
>>
>>hopeful for not to distant future:
>>--Brazilian rainbow boas
>> 2 or 3 more? maybe a breeding trio or two pair
>>-- something for the wifey... my list got to big...
-----
Renee
1.0 BRB (Loki)
2.0 amel & anery corns (Foxfire & Daguerre)
0.1 blood python (Duchess, arriving later this month)
1.1 Cats (Nightshade & Cuzzy)

lol aww no one wants to adopt a gators? well i cant blame them due to the size they get, the habitat they need and the food they need. i know for sure i wouldnt be able to care for one. thats exactly why i dont have any big snakes (burm, retic, annaconda). see i am smart enough to know that i dont have the resources to care for an animal that size neve rmind a gator, its too bad they people who got them in the first place didnt think of that. because from the sounds of it that prolly why you have so many. but i will tell you what... if and when i ever get really involved in herping to the point where i can properly house and care for a gator, i will come up and adopt one from you!
-----
-Stephen-
-Step-
-Steve Lightning-

0.1 soon to be wifey (hopefully)
1.0 rotwiler/chow (Boomer-wifey's pooch)
1.0 norm corn (Jake aka grumpy old terdhead)
1.0 col redtail boa (Switch, formally known as Dixie)
0.1 ball python (Bella- wifey's baby girl)
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Saphira)

hopeful for not to distant future:
--Brazilian rainbow boas
2 or 3 more? maybe a breeding trio or two pair
-- something for the wifey... my list got to big...

Amazingly enough, there are several Herp Society members who own alligators and keep them indoors (because the critters don't thrive outside in Minnesota winters, as you can imagine). Smiley is a six footer owned by Bill, who actually lets her wander around the house at will. He says she only defecates in her pool (that's apparently the natural thing for them) so Bill doesn't have to clean messes off his hardwood floors---and Smiley's very tame and NOT destructive---unlike Bill's huge tortoise, who has to be contained in a room so he doesn't chew up stuff around the house.

You’re certainly right about large snakes taking a lot of resources to care for. My husband said NO BIG SNAKES, which is probably just as well, otherwise I'd probably have gotten a baby retic from the nearby reptile shop---and I know you need 2 people to safely handle the big guys when they’re adults (& my husband would NOT be happy to help).

Yeah, a lot of people must buy animals such as gators just because they look cute as babies without any thought about the future! I’ve often looked at the little baby alligators that come in for adoption and said “they are so cute, if only they stayed that small, I’d get one!” How people can purchase an animal without knowing anything about how big they get or the care they require is beyond me---it’s so irresponsible! Yet you see the same thing every spring when parents buy kids baby bunnies for Easter and then dump them soon after. It’s sad.

LOL---When you’re ready for a gator, Steve Lighning, just let me know! We get them in regularly, and they sure don’t wander up to Minnesota on their own!

>>lol aww no one wants to adopt a gators? well i cant blame them due to the size they get, the habitat they need and the food they need. i know for sure i wouldnt be able to care for one. thats exactly why i dont have any big snakes (burm, retic, annaconda). see i am smart enough to know that i dont have the resources to care for an animal that size neve rmind a gator, its too bad they people who got them in the first place didnt think of that. because from the sounds of it that prolly why you have so many. but i will tell you what... if and when i ever get really involved in herping to the point where i can properly house and care for a gator, i will come up and adopt one from you!
>>-----
>>-Stephen-
>>-Step-
>>-Steve Lightning-
>>
>>0.1 soon to be wifey (hopefully)
>>1.0 rotwiler/chow (Boomer-wifey's pooch)
>>1.0 norm corn (Jake aka grumpy old terdhead)
>>1.0 col redtail boa (Switch, formally known as Dixie)
>>0.1 ball python (Bella- wifey's baby girl)
>>0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Saphira)
>>
>>hopeful for not to distant future:
>>--Brazilian rainbow boas
>> 2 or 3 more? maybe a breeding trio or two pair
>>-- something for the wifey... my list got to big...
-----
Renee
1.0 BRB (Loki)
2.0 amel & anery corns (Foxfire & Daguerre)
0.1 blood python (Duchess, arriving later this month)
1.1 Cats (Nightshade & Cuzzy)

thats great ever see that old time movie "the happiest millionaire" it an old musical i think and that guy had a bunch of em and the big guys name was George!

yeah maybe in say 10 or even 20 years when i have a house and am all settled with a good herp room or even a full or part time business going i would love to get something big like a monitor, retic, annaconda, or even a gator that would be sweet!!!
-----
-Stephen-
-Step-
-Steve Lightning-

0.1 soon to be wifey (hopefully)
1.0 rotwiler/chow (Boomer-wifey's pooch)
1.0 norm corn (Jake aka grumpy old terdhead)
1.0 col redtail boa (Switch, formally known as Dixie)
0.1 ball python (Bella- wifey's baby girl)
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Saphira)

hopeful for not to distant future:
--Brazilian rainbow boas
2 or 3 more? maybe a breeding trio or two pair
-- something for the wifey... my list got to big...

I'll have to look up that movie!

Yeah, a house makes it easier to have large reptiles, assuming your spouse and the zoning regulations don't forbid it!

>>thats great ever see that old time movie "the happiest millionaire" it an old musical i think and that guy had a bunch of em and the big guys name was George!
>>
>>yeah maybe in say 10 or even 20 years when i have a house and am all settled with a good herp room or even a full or part time business going i would love to get something big like a monitor, retic, annaconda, or even a gator that would be sweet!!!
>>-----
>>-Stephen-
>>-Step-
>>-Steve Lightning-
>>
>>0.1 soon to be wifey (hopefully)
>>1.0 rotwiler/chow (Boomer-wifey's pooch)
>>1.0 norm corn (Jake aka grumpy old terdhead)
>>1.0 col redtail boa (Switch, formally known as Dixie)
>>0.1 ball python (Bella- wifey's baby girl)
>>0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Saphira)
>>
>>hopeful for not to distant future:
>>--Brazilian rainbow boas
>> 2 or 3 more? maybe a breeding trio or two pair
>>-- something for the wifey... my list got to big...
-----
Renee
1.0 BRB (Loki)
2.0 amel & anery corns (Foxfire & Daguerre)
0.1 blood python (Duchess, arriving later this month)
1.1 Cats (Nightshade & Cuzzy)

it is nice because there are 3 locally owned pet stores within a 10 minute drive from my house, and one of them is a reptile store. i was talking with one of the girls there and she said there used to be a herp show that came through but 2 years ago there was a group, surprisingly it was NOT PETA, but something like them pretty much put a stop to that. i guess allot of the vendors even got cited for things(i dont know the details) so no herp shows, i guess i could make the drive out to west texas for one or maybe up to denver i think there is one up there, but i dont know how to find out
-----
-Stephen-
-Step-
-Steve Lightning-

0.1 soon to be wifey (hopefully)
1.0 rotwiler/chow (Boomer-wifey's pooch)
1.0 norm corn (Jake aka grumpy old terdhead)
1.0 col redtail boa (Switch, formally known as Dixie)
0.1 ball python (Bella- wifey's baby girl)
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Saphira)

hopeful for not to distant future:
--Brazilian rainbow boas
2 or 3 more? maybe a breeding trio or two pair
-- something for the wifey... my list got to big...

I wonder if the guys at the local reptile store would know about what herp shows are closest? They may actually go to some and so could tell you about them.

>>it is nice because there are 3 locally owned pet stores within a 10 minute drive from my house, and one of them is a reptile store. i was talking with one of the girls there and she said there used to be a herp show that came through but 2 years ago there was a group, surprisingly it was NOT PETA, but something like them pretty much put a stop to that. i guess allot of the vendors even got cited for things(i dont know the details) so no herp shows, i guess i could make the drive out to west texas for one or maybe up to denver i think there is one up there, but i dont know how to find out
>>-----
>>-Stephen-
>>-Step-
>>-Steve Lightning-
>>
>>0.1 soon to be wifey (hopefully)
>>1.0 rotwiler/chow (Boomer-wifey's pooch)
>>1.0 norm corn (Jake aka grumpy old terdhead)
>>1.0 col redtail boa (Switch, formally known as Dixie)
>>0.1 ball python (Bella- wifey's baby girl)
>>0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Saphira)
>>
>>hopeful for not to distant future:
>>--Brazilian rainbow boas
>> 2 or 3 more? maybe a breeding trio or two pair
>>-- something for the wifey... my list got to big...
-----
Renee
1.0 BRB (Loki)
2.0 amel & anery corns (Foxfire & Daguerre)
0.1 blood python (Duchess, arriving later this month)
1.1 Cats (Nightshade & Cuzzy)

yeah i should go back and talk to them again. it is under new management now and the guy that used to run the stor also ran the herp show, but he stopped. and it cool because i see them post adds in the classifieds here on kingsnake
-----
-Stephen-
-Step-
-Steve Lightning-

0.1 soon to be wifey (hopefully)
1.0 rotwiler/chow (Boomer-wifey's pooch)
1.0 norm corn (Jake aka grumpy old terdhead)
1.0 col redtail boa (Switch, formally known as Dixie)
0.1 ball python (Bella- wifey's baby girl)
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Saphira)

hopeful for not to distant future:
--Brazilian rainbow boas
2 or 3 more? maybe a breeding trio or two pair
-- something for the wifey... my list got to big...

Renee,
...Looks like fun. Which PIC is you and which is your daughter? My nephew and his second wife used to play at renaissance fairs around the southeast.
Jeff

>>This is what I've been doing on Sundays since the middle of August...bringing my snakes to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival to educate people and help them get over their fear of snakes. I look as tired as I felt last Sunday (didn't get a lot of sleep the night before). Visitors kept telling me that my hair under my black snood (a black net hat) matched my snake's color and black markings. I always wear snake jewelry out there too---in this case, a carved stone snake pendant and earrings---and people get a kick out of that.
>>
>>My lovely daughter Victoria came with me and is holding one of my corn snakes, Dageurre, in front of Como Cottage, the Ren Fest home base of the Minnesota Herpetological Society. We always have Smiley the alligator, various turtles and tortoises, reptiles and snakes behind our fenced-in yard (with a separate alligator pond). We invite visitors to come up to the fence or tables where we sit and gently touch the animals and talk to us.
>>
>>Sunday was the very first time I brought Loki out there (I thought he was too young last year). He did great, although by the end of his second shift he was trying to hide his head under his coils. The corn snakes are old pros and don't get intimidated that easily.
>>
>>It was cloudy a lot (as you can see in the photos) but when the sun came out, I showed visitors how BRBs got their "rainbow" moniker by turning Loki in all directions so they could see the famous iridescence. Lots of people (especially women) said "I want one of those snakes!" Loki makes a good rainbow boa ambassador!
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>-----
>>Renee
>>1.0 BRB (Loki)
>>2.0 amel & anery corns (Foxfire & Daguerre)
>>0.1 blood python (Duchess, arriving later this month)
>>1.1 Cats (Nightshade & Cuzzy)

Thanks for the laugh, Jeff! (which is me and which my daughter? LOL!) That reminds me of when I was walking through the Renaissance Festival on parade with my most colorful corn snake---the one everyone loves even if they hate snakes. A gentleman staring right at me cried "Beautiful!.....and the snake too." I really laughed.

>>Renee,
>>...Looks like fun. Which PIC is you and which is your daughter? My nephew and his second wife used to play at renaissance fairs around the southeast.
>>Jeff
-----
Renee
1.0 BRB (Loki)
2.0 amel & anery corns (Foxfire & Daguerre)
0.1 blood python (Duchess, arriving later this month)
1.1 Cats (Nightshade & Cuzzy)