Interview with a Keeper – Fay Rankin

What started your passion for reptiles and getting involved in the hobby?

I had no perception really of reptiles until I met my now husband, Garth. He had been a reptile lover since he was about 10. He was into birds when I met him and when the licencing to keep reptiles in NSW came out in 1997 we were onto it. We went up to Cairns before that and went to Hartley’s Creek Crocodile Farm, where my friend worked at, at the time. They put a large python over my neck and I almost freaked out. When we got back to Sydney, we purchased around 5 Pygmy bearded dragons. In the mean time we became members of the Australian Herpetological Society in Sydney and would go to their meetings, meeting like-minded people. We were probably one of the first to breed these little dragons and they sold like hot cakes. Then we decided to buy a couple of Diamonds. They were sold to us for 100.00 each, I nearly collapsed thinking we were paying a King’s ransom, how things have changed. We enjoyed the pythons, so ended up getting other pythons, Olives, Children’s, Stimson’s, Water, Woma’s, Jungle’s, BHP’s etc.

What age did you start your journey?

I started later in life at 43.

What species do you keep?

Gippsland Water Dragon’s, Woma’s, BHP’s and all the Antaresia species (Childreni, Maculosa, Perthensis, and Stimsoni including the Pygmy Banded Stimson’s) oh and Black and Yellow jungles.

What is your favourite species and why?

My favourite species is the Antaresia species. They are friendly, compact and I just love them. Most are friendly.

Do you breed your animals, and what is your secret?

Yes, I breed my animal. I mainly breed what I can easily sell. No secret. I Just put them in together, if they breed, they breed, if not, tough luck for me.  You have to love what you breed and keep.

What would you tell your younger self about the hobby?

Hmmm – be very careful whom you buy from. Respected breeders only. Mind you, I only buy from good friends but that takes you a while to get to know them. Be very careful who you are sending your money to as well.

Any projects you’re working on or towards?

I just stick to my tried and trusted pairings I do annually. Some are new and first time breedings this year and it will be fun seeing what they produce.

What is your favourite pairing and why?

My favourite pairing is the Patternless T plus Childreni. They are drop dead gorgeous, according to me anyway. Beautiful natured. Easy to get feeding. Every time I open their tubs, I just go ‘WOW’ and it hasn’t waned over the years.

Any advice for people wanting to get a reptile as a pet?

For young children, I would go for a Blue Tongue Skink or a Bearded Dragon. For an older person I would go with a species that you like, as long as you do your homework and research requirements first. That is probably the most important aspect.