Iain Beatt

(Scottish Borders)

I first got into snakes as pets about 10 years ago when a mate asked me to look after a Garter Snake he had bought. He had taken it home and been told "the snake goes or you go". So the snake went.

I looked after the snake for a while and got hooked, I bought the snake off  him and decided two would be just as easy so a Banded Cali King Snake soon followed. Then a Royal Python, then a pair of Yellow Rat Snakes.

Disaster struck one morning when I went into the living room to discover my daughter (then only two years old) had opened one of the tanks and let out the King Snake. I decided to sell the others(for their own safety).

For a few years after I didn't have any snakes, but had always intended to get another.

Two years ago I remarried and was told there was no way I was getting any more snakes. One day I took my wife for a run out to Bathgate and ended up in RINTOULS. after a bit of persuasion I got a Grey Banded King Snake, on condition that Trudi didn't have to feed, touch or look at it.

I then got a pair of Carpet Pythons and I am allowed a five foot viv in the living room!!!

Next came a Columbian Rainbow Boa which wouldn't feed. A few e-mails back and forward between Jim and myself soon sorted the problem.

After the BDO 2002 Trudi is now desperate to get a pair of Bearded Dragons. ( Not bad for someone who wasn't allowed any snakes :) )

IAIN.