Hello....Southern California here

[GYMRAT2B]

Hey guys, how's it hanging?

Thought I'd let the snake out of the cage and play with a ball or two (heheheheh - get your mind out of the gutter).

Paul-Carlos here. Yep, I own ball pythons. I used to be afraid and in awe of snakes but my best friend (who's now my cousin-in-law) had me hooked. He got me started by having me help him feed his snakes and cleaning cages. In return, not only did he teach me a lot about snake husbandry, but I taught him how to breed show bettas and fancy guppies. He used to also help me show my trio of Shar-Pei until they made their championships. Prior to really getting my feet wet into herps, I started to breed cockatiels and now moved into Indian Ringneck Parakeets (aka Rose-Ringed Parrots). For all those who've visited my little condo, it's obvious that I live in a zoo. Not that it's a mess, mind you (I like the phrase 'lived in'), but I built an indoor fishpond and surrounded it with plants (to hide the hardware), my headboard is a 60 gal. South American aquarium (with Discus, Rams, Tetras and a lot of plants), then the addition of the snakes, the birds and this year I rescued 2 Chihuahuas.

Considering my space limitations, I found cages designed by Showcasecages.com. However, they're charging an arm and a leg for a 4-cage tower so a buddy of mine is building it for me. I'm also having a few more made so that all of my cages will be stackable (including the ones for my birds). Since I don't have much room, I'm getting into specific ball python morphs to keep and have as pets as well as breed. Once the other cages are finished, I'm also interested in Hogg Island boas, Pygmy pythons, Brazilian Rainbow Boas and Blood Pythons. If this condo had a balcony, you can bet I'd breed my own food. As strange as it sounds, with all of the animals in my menagerie, I can't stand handling rodents - at least rats and mice.

I live in Los Angeles, Hollywood to be more exact. I can't wait until Hollywood becomes it's own city once again. I am an artist and my medium is photograpy, paper and stage. To keep my sanity, I work out at Gold's gym. I'm not a major bodybuilder, but that's my goal. My friends gave me the nickname of 'GYMRAT2B'. My gym buddies aren't too keen on my meeting them out of the gym with a snake wrapped around my arm or neck. Have you ever seen huge bodybuilders run from a little snake & screaming like a banshee? Sure....I believe you're big, buff and straight...uh-huh....LOL!!

It would be great to meet like minded people on here - especially if you live in the Hollywood area. :sun: