The Scale Squad Crew. Some information about each one of my wonderful snakes and turtles.

Donut: Named because he was like a little Donut in my hand when I got him. He was so small, I wanted to raise a snake from tiny. He is as stated a BEL: a blue-eyed leucistic. Not albino but bred to be all white. Donut has a few yellow ‘freckles’. He is a darling snake who loves to hang around your neck or cuddle more often than not. He is the flagship of the Squad, everyone remembers him and he has helped many people scared of snakes cross the boundary to ‘ok snakes aren’t so bad’.

Igor the Bearded Dragon: He came to the rescue from Hamilton Animal Services in July of 2025. My previous ‘beardie’ had passed only the day before and this poor guy was a hard luck case meaning it was going to be hard for him to find a home because he had some medical issues. I gladly took him in. He’s a good boy, hates baths, loves cuddles. They come from the desert interior of Australia.

Sam the Anxanthic Python: I got Sam in 2018 after she was the sole remaining snake after a successful Xmas expo for the rescue. It was an impulse I never regretted. She was my first and she is as much a lovable snake as one can be. She was the first to teach me about reptile ‘Brumation’. She’s great with people. Sometimes won’t stop moving but often a snuggler.

Leo the Mojave Python: He came to me in 2022 from the owner of the rescue. Life happened and he was rehoming 3 snakes. I took Leo. He was already about 10 at the time and had done kids camps and education with him for years. My nickname for him is Mr. Adventure. He loves to be on the move. He’s an escape artist as well.

Shasha the Kenyan Sand Boa: I got her in early 2024 as something different to add to the Squad. Her nickname is Face. Sand Boas are like their name, they live in the sand and their head is shaped for that purpose. They can stick their nose out of the sand barely being seen. Another desert creature like the Bearded Dragon.

Hector the Corn snake: This regular patterned guy came to me in 2025. He’s a fun active guy but like all corn snakes you can’t know when they are going to have to poop. So far I’ve been lucky the only person who got pooped on was me. He loves attention and exploring.

Tigger the Pastel Python: Is a beautiful snake who is still growing. He/she came to me by way of my daughter. Thinking it had escaped they decided no more snakes and sold off their equipment. One day I get a call that Tigger had come out of the wall after 4 months and could I take it and keep it or find a home. Being my daughter’s I could not say no and could never think of giving it up.

Scarlett the Spider Python: Spider morphs are known for their possible neurological issues. Studies have found it might just be an inner imbalance. I’ve seen this issue a few times with her where she acts all wonky. She is a sweet hefty snake, she loves her food. She is a bit of a weirdo. I can get her if she is in her hide. Outside of her hide she is in hunt mode and will strike if I put my hand in.

Fi the Corn snake: Fi is an actual Albino. She has the orange colour and red eyes. Like Hector she loves to be active when out. She is a little strange in the fact she has bitten two people but not me. I saw and understood the one case but not the other. It might sound scary but it’s two little pin pricks and barely draws any blood. This is why there is a note in the section about choosing your critters. She is unlikely to bite but she has before. Keep in mind that is twice out of hundreds of children through dozens of camps.

CJ the red-eared Slider: I took in CJ after a request from the rescue owner. She had just been returned to the rescue for the third time. She originally came to the rescue in 2009 and was among the first to find sanctuary there and a new home. She was misunderstood. She is a turtle that likes to reproduce and likes to do it in nature. To that end a turtle will go off food and splash and make a fuss etc. I think this is what other owners misunderstood as attitude, her need to lay eggs outside. I recall in 2024 where she was outside every 2-3 weeks nesting and laying eggs. It’s a hard thing to deal with as an owner. It can take anywhere from 6 to 14 hours. She is a good turtle and loves to adventure.

Alice the red-eared Slider: My entry into the world of reptiles. I have had a love of turtles for a couple of decades by that time. My best friend at the time said just get one already. So I contacted the rescue and did just that. I picked her up from an expo and brought her home. More than almost any other reptile I’ve come across personally, she defines a hard luck case and still is. All she wants to do is bite. She was treated badly before arriving at the rescue and they were happy to get rid of her because she could not be housed with any other turtles. I love her to bits anyway. She gave me what I hope is my one and only turtle bite.

Doc aka Doctor Frankenstein: Doc is a boa constrictor. He is named as such because I acquired him from the rescue the same time I acquired Igor. What is Igor without Doctor Frankenstein? He is a wonderful snake, sometimes adventurous and sometimes happy to cuddle. He doesn’t mind head strokes and is neat because he has a purplish black tongue as opposed to the pythons.