About me

Overview

Let me take a moment to share a bit about myself and the journey that led me to a deep passion for providing the best possible care for my animals.

About me

My passion for exotic animals traces back to my childhood. I was endlessly fascinated by unusual creatures, especially insects. In primary school, I was lucky enough to have a teacher who nurtured my curiosity and let me care for Indian stick insects. I thought they were incredible and looked after them for several years until they eventually passed away. Back then, before the internet, books were my only source of knowledge, and they only deepened my fascination.

At the age of 10, I became captivated by the transformation of frogspawn into frogs. My next-door neighbor, who had a pond, generously shared frogspawn with me every year. I would raise them in large buckets, eagerly observing the magical process before releasing the fully grown frogs back into her pond. It was an enchanting experience that left a lasting impression on me.

During high school, my curiosity for science grew, branching into various hobbies. I delved into rock collecting, electronics, fossil hunting, metal detecting, and even ant-keeping. My fascination with ants led me to care for common UK black ants (Lasius niger). At the time, with little knowledge or resources available, I experimented with different setups. I even tried those less-than-ideal gel ant farms and crafted clay islands surrounded by water to observe their behavior. It was a period of exploration, trial, and error, fueled by pure curiosity.

As I grew older, my interest in exotic pets took a backseat. My parents weren’t keen on me keeping anything too unusual, so I explored other hobbies. But once I had my own home, the idea of owning an exotic pet resurfaced. After thorough research, I narrowed my options to a jeweled lacerta or a bearded dragon. In 2019, I chose a bearded dragon and named her Caesar. For three wonderful years, I cared for her, but sadly, she developed a severe infection and passed away. It was heartbreaking, and I reflected deeply on what went wrong despite providing a clean enclosure, up-to-date lighting, and a varied diet. Looking back, I believe it was a mix of bad luck and a minor oversight in her care.

After some time to grieve and reflect, I began researching blue-tongue skinks. I devoted countless hours to understanding their care before finding a local breeder. Soon after, I brought home a baby Merauke blue-tongue skink, whom I named Tenji. Today, Tenji is a thriving adult, and my love for exotic pets has only grown. Over time, I’ve built an entire room in my home dedicated to their enclosures and care, gradually expanding my collection.

Although I don’t have formal education in animal care, this hobby has become one of my greatest passions. Ironically, my day job has nothing to do with animals, but caring for them brings me unparalleled joy and fulfillment.