Fraser Parker

(South Lanarkshire)

Hi my name is Fraser and I am 8 years old. My favourite animals have always been reptiles. When I grow up I want to be a reptile keeper preferably owning my own collection and I would like to try to keep endangered species to try to keep them from dying out. About three years ago when I went to Kirkcudbright Wildlife Park, for the umpteenth time, I met Phil's latest additions some cornsnakes. Phil let us hold them and I was hooked. Mum and Dad said I could have one but only if I found out exactly what was needed and proved that we could look after one.

When I changed rooms to one of my own a space for the tank was the first thing to be planned. I also nagged mum to get lots of books and look up lots of websites for me. A few months later Sally, a hatchling cornsnake from RD Rintoul Petcare Centre in Bathgate, arrived. She is almost two year old now and a lot easier to handle.

We had a few problems with reappearing pinkies, at the start, but a visit from Jim Lind at Petsnakes solved that. A new tank and different heating pattern did the trick.

Jim revisited recently. Sally, who is now into her big viv, unlike last time, posed beautifully. He also gave us more useful advice. We are sellotaping the top down and the heat cage is now in place.

I really enjoy having Sally especially now I can handle her. Feeding her is great fun but she often is too strong and we once had a mouse that split in two. Yuck!

Fraser