John
Berry Reptiles LLC (JBR) is a Florida,
USA based herpetoculturist business that is the
result of nearly 30 years
of working with, studying, collecting, keeping and
breeding hundreds of different reptile species
(
see my reptile story below). We support captive
propagation wherever possible and maintain and
breed
some of the finest full color boid (python and
boa) mutations, morphs
and hybrids in the world. We buy and sell our
animals world wide (see Available tab for
current inventory).
We strongly believe that
the beauty and incredible diversity seen in the
animal kingdom, is an outstanding example of the
creative and extravagant nature of almighty God
as the giver and source of all life:
" From the beginning of the world, men
could see what God is like through the things He
has made.This shows His power that lasts
forever. It shows that He is God" Romans 1.20 (NLV)
********************
My reptile story: I’ve had an active interest in
wildlife and reptiles since
childhood. Growing up in South Africa gave me
the opportunity to catch, keep and breed
numerous Southern African reptile species, both
venomous and non-venomous (I had very
understanding parents!).
As a teenager I spent most of my free time
working and improving my herpetoculture skills at
the Transvaal Snake Park. The Park housed one of
the largest and finest collections of captive
reptiles in the world. I eventually joined the
park as a professional herpetologist. I spent several years"
milking" venomous snakes (Puff Adders, cobras,
mambas and boomslang) educating the public at
large, and caring for and helping breed numerous
reptiles from all over the globe.
During this
time we had several notable captive breeding
successes, including the first ever captive
breeding of Angolan Pythons (Python
anchietae), Lesser African Rock Pythons (Python
sebae natalensis) & Madagascan Ground Boas
(Acrantophis madagascariensis) among
others.
My
travels then took me to the Nordhardzer Schlange
Farm in Schladen, Germany, a private reptile
park that provided snake venom to medical
research facilities (more cobra & viper
venom extraction !!)
After 18mths in Germany and wanting to travel to
the Amazon, I needed to raise some cash. So I
attempted to beat the then 64 day world record
“snake sit-in”. T
his
consisted of living in a room with 24 venomous
snakes. My good friend, Austin Stevens (Animal Planet’s “Snake
Master”) held the world record at that time. I
spent 69 days at Dudley Zoo, UK in my “snake
room” to claim the crazy title, sharing my space
with 12 Asian Cobras (Naja naja),
4 Egyptian Cobras (Naja annulifera) and
8 large Puff Adders (Bitis arietans).
At the time it seemed like a good idea, looking
back I wouldn’t recommend trying it! (If
you work with venomous snake, I strongly urge
you to consider where you will spend eternity
... accidents can happen !! )
After several more years of traveling to wild
places, I switched gears and started working in
the IT software
industry. I spent nearly 20 yrs as an IT
exec working for global software
companies and have been involved with
several technology start ups ... lots of fun but
way too much business travel !! Over
the years I've maintain my interest and
involvement in reptiles
and wildlife in general. I’ve also been fortunate
enough to travel the globe extensively
and to study, photo and capture reptiles on
several continents during my all business
travels.
Our reptile collection/ business is currently
located in Palm Beach, Florida, however we are
also setting up some of the
collection in Bristol, England. My time is now
equally split between caring for and breeding
high end morphs (with a focus on Central
American Boas, Ball/ Royal Pythons and arboreal
Pythons & Boas) writing (see www.designermorphs.com), Christian
ministry and my technology business interests.
My daughter Jessie,
with an Aru Green Tree Python (Morelia
viridis)
My youngest daughter Megan with a young
Ball/Royal python (Python regius)
I've been blessed with a totally supportive wife
and two outstanding daughters who share my
interests.
We
are always interested in meeting and hearing
from others with similar herpetoculturist or
Christian & creation interests.
God bless <><
John, Mel & the girls (Jessie & Megan)
"For God did not send His Son into the world to
condemn the world, but that the world through
Him might be saved" John 3:17 (NKJV)
