Adam Sapiano has been fascinated by reptiles for as long as he can remember.
It all began when his parents agreed to let him have a diamond python as a pet when he was a young child. From there, his love for reptiles grew.
“One reptile led to another, which led to another and it all sort of grew from there,” Sapiano says.
Sapiano runs Victorian Reptiles in Hoppers Crossing, is a licensed snake catcher and a member of the Victorian Herpetological Society, a non-profit organisation that promotes reptiles as pets and the conservation of reptiles in the wild.
Sapiano’s house is home to about 23 reptiles, ranging from snakes and lizards to crocodiles. His store houses more than 200 reptiles. He says the cold-blooded creatures make ideal pets.
“They are relatively low maintenance pets once they are set up properly. They don’t take up too much space. They are much better to keep in a small space than cats or dogs.”
While Sapiano says snakes and geckos often make the best pets, bearded dragons are popular among first-time reptile owners. He says bearded dragons are affectionate, tame and personable animals that will happily sit on your shoulder and let you handle them.
He adds that interest in keeping reptiles as pets has grown in recent years and hopes more people will discover how interesting snakes and lizards can be.
The herpetological society is hosting its annual reptile and amphibian expo at the Melbourne Showgrounds on Sunday. Hundreds of native reptiles will be on display from 9am-5pm.
Reptiles will be available for sale.
More details: vhs.com.au/2013-vhs-expo.
