It all started with my first snakes that I kept at the age of 11, a small group of Banded Water Snakes (Nerodia fasciata). Then everything went very fast and over the years my bedroom turned into a `tropical rainforest with bed‘.
After successfully breeding more than 15 different species of snakes, I decided to specialize in a single reptile species. `Unfortunately‘ without success...
I simply can't restrict to one particular species. They are all unbelievable creatures that fascinate me again and again!
Meanwhile I am a veterinarian specialized in exotics and wildlife. In the module ‘Wildlife Conservation Medicine‘ I focussed on the interface between humans and wildlife. Besides my studies I have been responsible for a reptile and amphibian department in a large pet shop in Vienna for 4 years.
In my spare time I regularly take part in scientific seminars and advanced training courses to expand my knowledge in this area and pass it on to others. With my lectures I try to inspire especially children and young people for these animals. The children of today are the future of tomorrow. We have to make them aware of the wonders of nature and can inspire them with knowledge about nature and its creatures. Education is the first step towards conservation!
Since October 2018 I have been working as a student assistant at the Internal Medicine Department of the Vetmeduni Vienna, Department of Birds and Reptiles. In the summer of 2019 I was appointed as a `Scientific Collaborator‘ of the National Museum of Natural History in Luxembourg. Since 2020 I am writing for Europe‘s biggest animal magazine „Ein Herz für Tiere“.
Thanks to herpetoculture many exotic animals have become much more important in our society in recent years. While in the 18th century the Swedish zoologist Carl von Linné still described all members of the order squamata as `disgusting‘ and `repulsive‘, in the 21st century more and more people show interest in these magnificent creatures. A `close to nature‘ or `species-appropriate keeping‘ in captivity is definitely possible and even helpful for the preservation and conservation of species, as long as the owner declares himself willing to acquire the necessary specialist knowledge.
Actually, there is nothing more interesting than imitating a whole biotope in ,miniature form‘ and caring for an animal that feels ,at home‘ and behaves accordingly.