Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok, so I recentley purchased another new boa, and I found myself asking the seller to hold the boa until my wife had a week off from work so she would be home to receive it. I have had them shipped to my work before, but everytime I do, people ask what it is. I'm not ashamed, so I tell them that it is a baby boa constrictor. Well, needless to say, I get a lot of weird looks and comments, so I have now chosen to keep my personal life just that, personal. This got me to thinking about what all you other boa freaks do for a living in order to support this addicting habit. Anyhow, I'll start. My name is Matt Crabe and I am a Mechanical Engineer specializing in clean rooms for the Biotech and Pharmaceutical Industries. What do you all do?

Thanks for any replies,
Matt Crabe

Matt, I'm a supervisor at a wastewater treatment plant. All the operators that work for me know I keep and breed snakes. And yes they all think I weird. They really think I'm weird when the subject comes up and they find out kow much I've spent on induvisual snakes. Like spending $1200 on an albino boa or $1000 on a pair of het for albino balls and the list goes on not to mention what I spend on the feeding every week. It's not just my fellow wokers that think I'm weird, It's also most of my family and friends or at least the ones that don't keep snakes. How ever my wife thinks it's normal (for me at least) I've had snakes ever since she's known me.
Bryan

I am a high school teacher..
The kids are cool with my boas, in fact, some that have sworn away from reptiles have actually touched and held them. I think it is a good learning experience for them.
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Im a CNC Machinist at a local aircraft company. Everyone here knows about my addiction. Its posted all over my desk, and computer.
I get alot of strange looks at first but a majority of those same people come back to ask me questions about boa sizes, and how boas give birth etc.
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http://www.aircapitalconstrictors.com
http://accforum.proboards23.com/

I am a PC/Network Technician, I have worked mainly for school districts and educational service centers. I recently lost my job due to budget cuts so I've had some time extra time to devote to our animals and doing some re-arranging and trying some new things. My "hobby" has been a constant source of intreque and questioning durring interviews this past week and half LOL! I did finally get a job offer yesterday with anothor Educational Service Center (ISD) so that makes me happy. I agree that exposing our animals is a great way to educate others. I was always bugging the science teachers at my last job to let me bring in my animals and do presentations. I was able to finally do one, were I brought in two of my ball pythons and a couple baby sulcata torts, the kids loved it...even the ones affraid snakes. It didn't take long to turn my wife on to reptiles so that was a bonus for me She even has some of "her own" animals.

I'm an Analytical Chemist for a company that manufactures pharmaceutical intermediates. Many times I've had animals delivered to my work and everyone from the president on down knows about my passion for snakes. Yes, they think I'm crazy to spend many thousands of dollars on animals but in a few short years I hope to devote all of my time to my herp business which concentrates on morphs. It's more than just a hobby to me. Early on I already told my wife that if push turned to shove she'd go before my herps ever would and now she loves them too lol.

Well, As many of you already know, I am a Police Officer. More to the point I am a plain Clothes (not Undercover) Detective With the Collier County Sheriff's Office and work in a Special unit Called S.E.T. which stands for Strategic Enforcement Team. We are an in progress street crimes team that targets habitual criminals in our area.
I also mix my Hobby in with my work a bit, as I wrote the agency’s policy and book on how to handle and Identify Venomous and Dangerous snakes in our area. I also respond to most of the problem reptile calls in the area while I am working, and sometimes even when I am not working I get called in for them LOL.
I’m a herper by love and a cop by trade.
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Jim Hopkins "Hoppy"
Hopkins Holesale Herps
Hopfam1@aol.com

I have been an electromechanical Tech for the University of Texas for the last 19 years
I only have one boa. But I have had boas before and The guys I work with just shake their heads when I tell them about snakes.
But think its cool at the same time and ask me questions.
I'm also part of the Austin Fbody Club and its about a 50 50 mix of COOL and WHY. LOL

Like Hoppy, I am also in law enforcement in South Florida. I have worked for the Martin County Sheriff's Office for ten years and am currently assigned to the school resource officer devision in an alternative school. I also get called out for most of the reptile calls in the County. Prior to that I was a community police officer. You die hard "COPS" fans might have seen me on a couple episodes. I was the one legged officer chasing down the drug dealer.
School resource is great. Everyone at the school knows I keep snakes and some do think it's wierd. I have been trying to convince the principle to let me keep one in my office but she hasn't warmed up to the idea yet.
Designer Boas

I work with kids that have emotional, behavioral, and psychological problems. It is sorta the place between a real live institution and a group home. Most of my co-workers know and most think it's cool. The kids don't know, unfortunately I can't bring them in for a demonstration because of the safety risks (to the snakes). I enjoy what I do and it seems to make a difference.

Chris Canada-Smith

I manage a poker room in Spokane Wa. We have 4 poker tables and Texas Hold'Em is the game. I also have had reptiles shipped to my work. Most people know about my hobby at work and don't say too much. I even thought about putting a boa on display. Bill

I work as a service technician at a Lexus car dealer in SW Florida. Most of the people here are aware of my obsession with boas and often I get the same quizzical looks that I'm sure everyone else gets. However I have been working diligently to make a few "converts" here and have been making a little headway in that area. Already a couple people are asking to get a baby when Kathy and I finally produce a litter. None this year though, sorry to say.

I am a sophmore at Troy State University in Alabama. I have one Brazilian Rainbow Boa. But I am about to get a Columbian (BCI) to take back to school with me. My friends think its odd and my girlfriend isnt so hot on it. But I am workin on converting all my friends. One day I hope to have a room full of boas and pythons.

I'm Tim, and I drive a truck, a big old truck. But I'm home every night now. My new job is much better than the old one, being home 3 days a month sucks and you really can't keep a boa (or any snake) in an 18 wheeler (thought about it, too much vibration probably drive them nuts).

My Name Is Joe
I do audio duplication at COLUMBIA RECORDS....
Making cd's to service radio stations , meetings, etc. & do copy protection & other tricks to prevent audio piracy.

Greg 31, I'm a junior at University of Mary-Hardin Baylor in Texas, and I'm studying Social Work. Next year I'll be attending University of Texas (Austin) to get my masters degree.
I've had just about every type of reptile except colubrids.
Breeding will kick into high gear next breeding season, and I hope to have some of the higher end boas available.
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Greg Holland
G&M HERPS
www.imageevent.com/gmherps
gmherps@sbcglobal.net

I'm a Computer-Printer Tech. I work for a major manufacturer of color inkjet printers. I'm involved in the testing and developing of printers, drivers, etc. I also provide tech support to authorized service centers. A couple of nice perks go with the job. Software such as Photoshop, loaner printers, and access to a variety of digital cameras.

I was until recently a veterinary technician. Certainly didn't really help to pay for my addiction but I'll post about my new job once I get it.
Still in the phase of trial run to make sure everyone can stand me once I make the trip up there. haha!

Everyone who knows me knows of my addiction. My mom is slowly starting to call snakes pretty (I know! Brace yourselves) and they all know my animals are my kids and don't tease me or treat me weird for it.
They already know I'm weird (I prefer the term, unique) so that's probably why. LOL!

Hugs!

Amanda Rose

I am Bob McPhee and I am a Self employed Painting Contractor.

Special Agent with the Internal Revenue Service. Everyone in my office knows my love for reptiles. I have a huge Barry Miller Sur background on my computer screen

Oh and to all you breeders making tons of crazy loot. You better be reporting the income because UNCLE SAM IS WATCHING!!!!

Hello,
My name is Linda Misch and I have worked as a veterinary technician since 1985, barring a few quits and returns to the same place. I have been re-hired 4 times! During one of my tantrums, I worked as house manager in a detox facility and also at a pet-store. My employer allows me to ship and receive snakes at work and bring them anytime. I hope to someday have an outstanding reputation as a reliable Brazilian Rainbow breeder. (The hoggs and Ilse de la Bahia boas may accidently sneak in).

I'm a 31 year old "female". I'm an Executive Administrative Assistant at American Express and a single mother of a 10 year old girl. I created my own website and I take great pride in my family.

I have about 10-15 people at work (over 200 employees in the office) that never knew I was into reptiles. Now I have about a dozen coming to me for advice and have even become customers of mine. It's strange to see some of their reactions when they find out about my other job...

Thanks for letting me share
Bree

www.foreveryoursreptiles.com

my names brad, 32, in the tampa/st.pete area, i work for Pitney Bowes as a customer service technician making sure all those credit card bill get to you on time and in a neat fashion

just about everyone i work with including the customers and coworkers know about my hobby/addiction and most sadly think it "odd" to say the least but i try to educate and inform and slowly i convert people to a herp-friendly view of the world

ive been very lucky in already having a couple litters of beautiful normal colombians and hope to delve more into the morphs in the coming years with a couple albinos, a couple ihle salmons, a few anerys, and some great stripers
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Brad Hamlin
"...when im a good snake, they sometimes throw me a rat..."
B & P Constrictors @ http://mysite.verizon.net/res8xtmk/

John
Pyrotechnician at a major theme park in Central florida.
My wife and I both have had herps all of our lives
Everyone knows about our kids.
The only ones with issues have 87 cats, ever notice that?

JHL

This is a great thread! My name is Kathy, and I live in RI and work for a toy company, Little Kids Inc, the manufacturer of the No-Spill Bubble tumbler. I am Systems support/EDI Coordinator, and most of the people here think I'm nuts. I have managed to convert a few people, and some will come to me with questions, but most don't understand the attraction. There are some women and men here that are completely phobic.
My kids love the hobby. My husband didn't at first, but he has also grown to love them!
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1.1 Ball Python 1.1 corn snake 1.0 Bearded Dragon 2.0 Solomon Island Boas 0.0.2 fish 1.2 cats 3.1 kids 1.0 husband

Hello All! My name is Andy. I work as a Manufacturing associate at a Pharmaceutical company in NY state. Anyone who knows me soon knows of my love for snakes. I have setteled in with my true favorites the BOAS! I have started a Salmon breeding project, but this will be my first time breeding boas. I am married with 4 children. I catch snakes when I have time, just to then let them go again, Timber rattlers are my favorite for catching! Have not found any of those here in NY, but Pa, is loaded! Take care Andy

My given name is Dianne, but on the net and in a couple of other places I'm better known as Raven. Currently I'm an insurance agent, but that may change in the future. I don't know that it exactly supports my habit, but it helps. lol

Raven