Summary

In this second video of the What reptiles mean to me series, Paul’s monitors explains why he chose reptiles over traditional pets and why they matter so much to him. He talks about his fascination with these animals, how that interest grew from a lifelong love of dinosaurs, and how observing and caring for his monitor lizards gives him purpose and fulfilment, especially during difficult periods of his life.

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Transcript

Why do you keep reptiles and not a normal pet?

Reptiles are normal pets. I keep reptiles because I find them deeply fascinating and there is a deep love inside of me that’s always been obsessed with dinosaurs. So that has just continued into my adult life, but they’re normal. I dont know what this not normal is.

And what do they provide to you in terms of fulfillment?

I mean, we can get deep. I struggle quite badly with mental health and I can keep it PG, but I wouldn’t be here without my reptiles. So for me, watching them, observing them, seeing how they behave and how they interact and how I can best care for them by changing subtleties and nuance for me gives me a purpose to keep going. If that makes sense?

Yes, it very much does. Very much does.