Snakes fan finds pythons gripping

They might not be cute and cuddly, but reptiles such as snakes and lizards are proving to be extremely popular pets in the Black Country.

More than 30 people attended the latest meeting of the West Midlands branch of the International Herpetological Society, which offers advice on everything from geckos to tortoises.

Dudley-based branch organiser Brian Davies says reptiles are enjoying a real surge in popularity as the IHS enters its 40th year.

"I find reptiles – snakes especially – just fascinating," he said.

"They are quite easy to care for, which adds to their popularity," said Mr Davies, a 57-year-old grandfather.

"They don't need walking every day like a dog, so they are popular with the elderly and with disabled pet owners.

"But no-one should ever underestimate the responsibility of taking one on."

Mr Davies, who keeps hundreds of reptiles at his home, has been an owner for the past 18 years and has been involved in the society for 16 years.

He first became interested in reptiles when his daughter Laura, then a teenager, asked if she could keep one.

"I let her have a snake, but we didn't do our research properly and within six months, the snake was dead," said Mr Davies, a father of four.

"I thought maybe she would lose interest but she didn't so I decided to research properly before we got another one. That's how I got in to it and it has progressed from there." The hobby now takes up much of the retired police constable's time.

"I still do some work for the police in cases where they come across reptiles and need help handling or identifying them," he said.

"It is quite common for drug dealers to hide drugs in tanks with massive snakes, so I get called out to move them."

Mr Davies also takes in a number of the animals he recovers and nurses them back to health.

He believes they are becoming more popular as a result of the equipment becoming more readily available and the cost of it falling as technology advances.

"Owning reptiles is so common now that it is increasingly common for them to escape and be found in the wild," he said.

"It's people like me who get called out to catch them. I then look after the animals until the owner comes forward. A lot of people do own them now days because it is easy to get the equipment to keep them."

Mr Davies' personal collection currently comprises around 40 snakes, several bearded dragons and leopard geckos.

In his role as a an organiser for the IHS Mr Davies also gives educational lectures to schoolchildren and interested parties and travels abroad to take part in conferences.

* For information on society events or advice on owning, buying or breeding reptiles, contact Mr Davies on 07966400173.