Jake Watson, Junior

Pet: Fred the Ball Python

Q: Do you have an interesting fact about your snake?
A: This might be odd, but he likes [moving] around in blonde hair.

Q: Why did you want to get a snake rather than another pet?
A: My whole family decided it, it wasn’t just me. My dad was the main deciding factor, and also my sister. She has liked snakes since Harry Potter.

Q: What would you say to someone who wants a pet snake?
A: [You can care for one] as long as you are fairly responsible, but generally it’s pretty low maintenance. I find it really enjoyable, so I would recommend it.

Q: Did you want a pet snake before you got Fred?
A: [I wanted a snake] for about two or three years, but we got him six months ago.

Kathryn Thayer-Pham, Senior

Pet: Lil Uzi Vert the Crested Gecko

Q: What is something about your pet that nobody knows?
A: He gets very traumatized easily. Reptiles are not like humans where they like love and affection, but they do love food, so that is what they drive for.

Q: What is unique about your gecko?
A: I bought my lizard from an official reptile zoo, so my baby was only a month old when I got him, and they are usually adults when you get a crested gecko, so I have been about to raise him since day one and that is something really special to me because [we] have a connection.

Q: Where did your love for exotic pets come from?
A: I have always been in love with animals no matter what they are. I think it just came from my childhood always being involved with pets.

Emma Rivera, Sophomore

Pet: Pang, Pudge, and Teddy the Rats

Q: What is something about your pets that nobody knows?
A: They are some of the cleanest animals.

Q: What do you adore the most about your pets?
A: When I come home, they all climb onto my shoulder and fall asleep.

Q: What would you tell someone who is against having a rat as a pet?
A: I do not think any pet is better than any other, I think all pets are really cute and interesting in their own way.

Q: What is the best thing about having pet rats?
A: The best experience was to watch them grow and become more playful and cuddly.