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diverse experience with the animal world and the people who are currently involved in this great
adventure known as Don Kaye Reptiles.
I was born and raised in South Florida and have had animals around me ever since I was a toddler.
Starting at the age of Four I would study any snake book I could get my hands on since I was not
allowed to have a pet snake. In 1983, at the age of Thirteen I found my first Ringneck and was able to
convince my parents to let me keep it. I have never been without a snake since.
In 1988 shortly after starting at the local community college I went on the hunt for a new job and applied
at a nearby pet shop. I felt that this would be a great place to start since I was always going in to check
out any one I came across. After working there for about four years I felt it was time to explore and
broaden my reptile experiences. I applied at the local AZA accredited Zoo. Unfortunately the one and
only reptile position was full. They suggested that I volunteer to get familiar with the zoo and how things
ran until the position opened or a new one was created. I continued to work at the store and
volunteered two to three full days each week at the Zoo. It was a completely different prospective on
working with animals than what I was currently doing. The pet store closed a few months later and I
went to work for another store that just opened up. One day I went to see a local Dealer/Importer that I
had met a few years earlier to see what new snakes or monitors he had available, I was always looking
for something new. He offered me a job helping with exporting and importing. I jumped at the
opportunity to continue to diversify my reptile experience and fuel my herp addiction. In my short
employment with the dealer I saw, dealt with and experienced many different species of reptiles as well
as a different side of the reptile world. It was a short seven weeks before I was contacted by the Zoo
about the reptile keeper position.
My time in the zoological field was full of many great experiences. I alone made up the reptile
department of the 25 acre park. I was responsible for the care of many different sizes and species of
snakes, giant tortoises, crocodilians (Gators, Crocs and Caimans) and a few amphibians. I was
honored to have spent eight and a half of my ten years raising and caring for one of the US captive
hatched Komodo Dragons. Because of the small staff at the Zoo I was also cross trained on the
majority of the Zoo’s collection. This included everything from Naked Mole Rats, primates, birds,
hoofstock and large cats (Tigers, Jaguars and Panthers). I also took the opportunity to visit any other
zoo I could. This allowed me to see their collections and to cross train on different species. I had the
chance to work with other Komodo Dragons, crocodilians and even a troop of Gorillas. In 2001 the
zoo sent me to the first AZA Crocodilian Management School. This five day course consisted of
classroom and hands on lab time. We learned capture techniques , blood drawing procedures and
many other things. This course was taught by many of the worlds top crocodilian experts, many of
whom you have seen on Discovery, National Geographic and Animal Planet networks.
Through my ten years in the zoological field, zoos were making a chance from roadside attractions to
the modern parks of today. This brought many positive changes, but also brought business politics. In
the past the low paying job of being a zoo keeper was rewarded by working with the animals. At this
stage the animals were out weighed by the extensive hours and low pay. For these and other reasons it
was time to move on. After leaving the zoo I went to work for a local reptile store that was owned by
the same dealer I worked for 10 years earlier. This gave me the chance to continue to work with reptiles
and because of the set schedule it also gave me the time I needed with my family and ever growing
personal reptile collection.
In 1996 I received my Florida license to posses venomous reptiles. I have kept a wide variety of
species including vipers (Gaboons, Rhinos, Fea’s, Waglers and Rattlers), cobras (including the King
Cobra), Mambas (all four species), Sea Kraits and Taipans. In January 2002 I received a severe
envenomation from a large Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake. During my recovery I thinned my hot
collection to focus on breeding projects. At this time I also started to observe what was going on in the
Ball Python world. I always admired the Albino and Pied Ball Pythons but had never been a fan of Ball
Pythons in general. I had a friend that had been breeding them for many years and had been trying to
convince me that they were the perfect snake to work with. I talked it over with my family and we
bought 2 pairs of Albino Ball Pythons. I fell in love with these snakes so much that Ball Pythons have
become my primary focus. I continue to keep and breed other reptiles but not in the numbers that I do
the Ball Pythons.
As you have now read I have been involved with almost every aspect of the reptile world. I have found
the captive breeding of your own stock to be the most rewarding. Over the years I have continued to
invest into my love for the Ball Pythons. In June of 2005 I was able to leave the retail reptile world and
become a full time reptile breeder.
Enough about myself, I would like to introduce you to the other people involved in Don Kaye Reptiles.
First and most importantly is my wife Diane. According to my friends she is the most understanding
woman they have ever met. Diane and I met at the Zoo where she was the bird/mammal keeper before
becoming the zoo’s veterinary technician. She is currently a full time technician at a local small animal
clinic. Diane has always been there to help me with the animals when ever I need her, including taking
on the full responsibility of our rodent colony. Our daughter was born in 1997 and has been around
reptiles her whole life. My wife’s parents, Russell and Barbara Lutz, have always been supportive of me
and my reptiles. They are very much animal people but never cared much for snakes until they met
me. Now they have invested both time and money into the Ball Pythons of Don Kaye Reptiles. My
parents, Glenn and Elsa Kaye, never cared much for my reptile addiction but have been supportive of
me during my zoo career and during the growth of my business.
As you are browsing through the site you will see several snakes that are owned by Eric Baker of Baker
Reptiles. Eric and I met in 2003 while I was working at the local reptile store. Eric and I grew to
become good friends and have built a great deal of trust. Eric’s job as a personal chef does not allow
him time to fuel his reptile addiction. Eric has invested into several high end Ball Python morphs and
currently has them added into the Don Kaye Reptile collection. These additional morphs and
partnership involving these snakes only adds to the power of this ever growing collection.
reptile store where he was working at the time. Little did I know what would eventually transpire from our
meeting. We soon became friends and I was amazed at his knowledge, not only with reptiles but with
other animals also. I felt honored that I was able to train under someone with his experience.
Shortly after I got to know Don, I realized his passion for Ball Pythons. He was constantly talking about
all the different Ball Python morphs and which ones were recessive, and which ones were co-dominate,
and dominate. It wasn't long before it all started to sink in and I was bitten by the bug. From my first ball
python purchase to present, Don has been an inspiration to me in this endeavor. I can’t think of a more
professional partner to have in breeding reptiles and I really look forward to what we will be able to offer
the reptile community in the future.
If you are looking for the finest quality reptiles along with unsurpassed customer service, Don Kaye
Reptiles should be at the top of your list of professional breeders to do business with."
Eric Baker
Baker Reptiles
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