This was my first snake ever... My dad caught him under a woodpile when we first moved to the country. I was just about nine years old. Romeo was an Eastern Hognose, and I never was able to get him to eat anything other than toads or green tree frogs. He was a great snake, and put up with my floundering attempts to learn about snakes in a decidedly non-herping family.
Romeo died, around the age of six, of an infection that he got from one of the toads he was so fond of. I'm not sure of the details. I was thirteen and the explanation given was by the local science center volunteer. He was probably just BSing me because he was clueless as to why my snake was dying.
"Ratonera" FL King, "Pequita" FL Chain King, "Jared" and "Felicia" Bullsnakes
This adorable cutey pie is Mercutio, a little baby hognose I found just after moving to the new farm (March 1999). I caught him to show to my mother (bringing back fond memories of Romeo) and released him back by the pond (where I found him) after I'd taken my fill of pictures.
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My first two boas -- Idgibitaboa (Hogg X B.c.i.) and Barry (B.c.i.). Pics of Barry are to the left; Idgy is below. Idgibitaboa was one of my three all-time favorite snakes, and if I ever get another boa as cool as Idgy, I'll use the namesake. Fortunately, I have gotten better at snapping photos of my snakes. This page has all the really bad pictures taken from when I was just starting out!
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Below you will see the most beautiful little guy I'd had to date (1999). His name was Theta, a Variable King -- such a sweetie. I would love to have a dozen like him some day. I should never have let him leave my collection :-(
