01/22/2025
Meet Melissa Parker from 🤩
A little about Melissa and Parkers Colubrids 👇🏻
⚫️What inspired you to start selling reptiles, and how long have you been doing it?
I have always loved animals, especially reptiles, amphibians and any other exotics. When I was a child in New Mexico I loved to find h***y toads to play with and release. I also loved sitting out at night under the security light and watching the toads catch food. It’s interesting the way I got into keeping snakes and then breeding. My husband wanted a corn snake , so we picked up a classic corn at a local reptiles store, then he wanted an anery so we then had two. At this point i fell absolutely in love with corn snakes and joined a couple FB corn snake groups including a local reptile group so that I could learn more. I soon spotted a Palmetto. At the time they were pricey, but decided I wanted one and made payments to purchase her and a het Palmetto male.
⚫️What species or morphs do you specialize in, and why are they your favorite?
We decided we wanted to breed corn snakes and started breeding in 2022. I specialize mostly in corn snakes and hognoses. I do plan to expand that to African house snakes in the near future.
⚫️What’s the most rewarding part of being a reptile breeder?
I love the personalities of corn snakes and how they interact with you. The most rewarding thing is watching those babies hatch. All my snakes give me such joy.
⚫️What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone new to keeping or breeding reptiles?
I would recommend to new keepers to do your research before purchasing an animal of any kind and for new breeders, make contacts with other breeders that have been keeping and breeding for years. They are going to be invaluable for information and help.
⚫️Share a fun fact, unique story, or memorable moment you’ve had as a keeper or breeder?
I know it’s probably not too rare but it was a memorable experience for me, but in 2023 I hatched a pair of twin hognoses.
➡️Go over to findyourreptile.com to see all Melissa’s listings ➡️ Message her directly to find out more
