D Grade
New member
Been a member for a bit now but I figured I'd throw a newbie thread together. My name is Derek and I reside in the Phoenix, AZ metro area (Chandler to be exact). I've been here for going on almost a year, prior to that I spent about a year in Tucson, AZ where I became obsessed with herping thanks to a good friend of mine. I field herp whenever possible outside of my day job (Heavy Equipment Operator & Mechanic), but working overtime and being a family man leaves little time for it unfortunately.
My passion actually started in Washington State where I was born and raised. Typical run of the mill story which is finding my first Garter Snake in my early teens, trying to bring it home, and having my mother make me release it back into the wild.
Since that encounter, I never got into snakes because of my mothers fear of them. Fast forward about 20 years and the passion kicked off in top gear once I moved to Arizona. I obtained my first captive snake in the form of an L.G. Californiae / Cali King. Fast forward two years and my collection has grown to four including one native Rattlesnake, two native colubrids, one CBB L.T. Honderensis, and parting ways with my Cali King.
My goal is to either join or start my own snake removal business (along with working my full time job) to spend more time doing what I love. Also looking to meet fellow herpers and snake enthusiasts in the Phoenix and Tucson area who have the same passion and have the animals well being in mind at all times. Also looking to continue to find my "must finds" in Arizona this year which has started off great!
Thanks for reading!
Sincerely,
Derek
My passion actually started in Washington State where I was born and raised. Typical run of the mill story which is finding my first Garter Snake in my early teens, trying to bring it home, and having my mother make me release it back into the wild.
My goal is to either join or start my own snake removal business (along with working my full time job) to spend more time doing what I love. Also looking to meet fellow herpers and snake enthusiasts in the Phoenix and Tucson area who have the same passion and have the animals well being in mind at all times. Also looking to continue to find my "must finds" in Arizona this year which has started off great!
Thanks for reading!
Sincerely,
Derek