Interview with a Keeper – Felicity MacKinnon from MacKinnon’s Menagerie

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

I started herping as a young child. My first purchased was a pair of Spotted pythons from Alma and Ted Searle who were pioneers of the Brisbane reptile hobby community, running cool companion reptile club.

What age did you start your journey?

I started the journey into reptiles properly at 18 years old.

What species do you keep?

So many!
Various Antaresia and Morelia morphs, and both types of Aspidities for the pythons. From the lizard side – Bearded Dragons, Boyd’s Forest Dragons, Shinglebacks and Blue Tongues.

What is your favourite species and why?

My favourite species is the Antaresia genus – small, easy to handle and house. I enjoy breeding the morphs and wild types and they fit easily in my reptile room.

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

Yes, I breed my reptiles.Mmy secret is lots of research, humble in the belief you are never to experienced to learn new things. I love sharing information with friends in the hobby and have built a relationship with a great reptile vet. I schedule set days/time to spend working with my reptiles (my me time😊)

What would you tell your younger self about the hobby?

Buy more reptiles, I love them, they are amazing creatures.

Any projects you’re working on or towards?

Always……… new morphs, improving/changing colours and patterns in wild types and refining the morphs I am interested in. I have so many projects going on across all the species I keep.

What is your favourite pairing?

Umm… that’s a hard one, these two species are equal,

My Tri colour Wheatbelts – because they are such stunning natural snakes with a great nature and my Calico/Axanthic Black-Headed Pythons, I love the size but they’re still a terrestrial snake. Breeding Calicos is fascinating.

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

Always have a correct set up before buying your reptile, speak to reputable breeders and do a lot of research to make sure the animal you choose is right for your lifestyle.