His favorite snake is the green anaconda (the largest of the boa constrictors.) He saved his own money to buy this 72 inch stuffed anaconda... His dream is that someday he will own a real anaconda for a pet. HA! Over my dead body!... or over his. Maybe I'm speaking literally... ever seen that show, "Fatal Attractions" on Animal Planet?..... moving along....
One day he set up this tennis ball to be attacked and eaten by a slithering rubber snake and caught it all on camera! Amazing footage! 
We went to a reptile show for a family night and he got to hold the skin of a snake. Anxiously he shouted out to the instructor, "This looks like a python of some sort... is it a python, maybe a Burmese Python?" The instructor said he was close... it was an African Rock Python.
He likes to include his "pets" in everything. He makes sure to bring them out each morning and carefully prop them up at the edge of the hallway. He wants to make sure they have a good seat so they can "watch" us having our family prayer and scripture study each day.
We went to a reptile show for a family night and he got to hold the skin of a snake. Anxiously he shouted out to the instructor, "This looks like a python of some sort... is it a python, maybe a Burmese Python?" The instructor said he was close... it was an African Rock Python.
The best part of the reptile show was touching a real live snake! Yippeee!
I don't remember what kind this was but he could tell ya I'm sure.
... well I was right... I asked him if he remembered the name of this snake
and he said, "it's a rosy boa".
I do not aften read blogs, but this one caught my eye. Your son is a lot like me when I was his age. I turned my interest into a profession and it has worked out fine for me. He sounds like a very bright young man!
ReplyDeleteWinston Card
Mr. Card, what a wonderful treat to have you visit here! I told my son that a real expert herpetologist commented on his pictures! He was very excited.
ReplyDeleteWhen my son is old enough, he really wants to sign up for volunteer work at a Zoo... hopefully getting a shoe-in for a full-time job there. He enjoys learning about big cats too but has a stronger preference for herpetology.
I was very lucky to have a career for over 20 years working with reptiles in zoos and in the field all over the world. I am retired from the field now, but my wife is still a zoo keeper.
ReplyDeleteThe best advice I can give is to stay in school! I know that sounds cliche, but the skills needed to work with wildlife can not be gained any other way.
If your son still wants to work with animals when he is a little older, never let anyone tell him it is impossible. It is difficult, but it is most certainly not impossible.
Tell your son I once caught a large green anaconda in Peru. I think the picture is on my face book page. My nephew has the same name as me, and so, the name I use on the FB page is Winston Carlos Card.
Cheers
Winston
Dear Mr. Card,
ReplyDeleteMy son was elated to see you wrote another comment. I didn't have a Facebook account so I made up a name for one in order to access your profile picture of you and your wife with the Anaconda. My son's mouth dropped to the floor when he saw it, "WOW", he shrieked, "that is so cool! I think he's holding a yellow Anaconda, holy cow!" Needless to say he was impressed and so was I. Thanks again for taking time to give my son a few pointers. He must have read your response several times. He really looks up to you.
Best Regards,
Alicia