John
Berry Reptiles (JBR) is our herpetoculturist*
hobby/business. We have been working with, studying, collecting, keeping and
breeding hundreds of different reptile species
(
see my reptile story below) over the
last 30 years. We support captive
propagation and maintain and
breed
some of the finest full colour boid (python and
boa) mutations, morphs
and hybrids in the world. We also sell our
surplus animals
world wide (see available tab for any current
surplus inventory).
We strongly believe that
the beauty and incredible diversity seen in the
natural world, 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 (His creation). This clearly shows His power that lasts
forever. It shows that He is God" Romans 1.20 (NLV)
* An
Herpetoculturist is one who keeps reptiles
and/or amphibians in captivity, sometimes
(but not exclusively) for the purpose of
breeding.
********************
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 (TSP). At the time TSP housed one of
the largest and finest collections of captive
reptiles in the world. I eventually joined TSP 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. This was a fun
job !
During this
time at TSP 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 additional 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 and do happen !! )
After several more years of travelling to wild
places, I switched gears and started working in
the computer software
industry. I spent nearly 20 yrs as an IT
exec working for several different global software
companies in addition to involvement in a number
of 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 now based in Bristol, England.
(we were previously based in Palm Beach,
Florida, USA but relocated to the UK during
2006/07). Our 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 &
lecturing, Christian
ministry and our 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)
