Sean and Monica met and married in 1989.  At the time, Sean had not kept reptiles for a year or two.   Monica thought his collection of reptile books was 'icky' and had no idea where the future would lead.  Shortly after their honeymoon, she was astounded to witness her new spouse cleaning out the savings account to purchase the first known amelanistic Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis viridis)!  It was an animal he had always hoped to field collect, but being first to breed it would have to suffice.  With his interest rekindled, the house quickly began to fill with cages and herps of several kinds.

Monicas' surprise was quickly replaced with fascination and admiration for these creatures and soon her interest was drawn to geckos.  While she still prefers her cats to rattlesnakes, Monica has gone on to assume the role of gecko master extraordinaire.  She has successfully bred numerous species, some considered very difficult by professionals.  Her favorite amongst geckos will always be the Leopard Gecko, although she gives honors to the African Fat-tailed Gecko as having the cutest babies.  She rates her successful Triblonotus project as one of her most challenging.

Sean has been involved in the pet industry since 1977.  Having fulfilled management roles at retail, wholesale, and distributor levels, he is frequently called upon to assist in legislative issues surrounding herpetoculture and the pet trade.  Having kept just about every snake specie present in north American collections over the last three decades, his favorite will always remain the Cornsnake.

Together, they live in their home in the Colorado mountains near Canon City.  Other interests they pursue are mountain biking, hiking, bird-watching, and snow-shoeing.  Sean also enjoys fly-fishing for trout in the local streams and rivers.

What does VMS stand for?  We get asked that a lot.  Usually Sean quips that it stands for "Very Many Snakes".  However, the truth is a little stranger:  

While field collecting in the summer of 1989 these two, along with friend Vern Veer, discussed the concept of a full-scale breeding facility to supply wholesale reptiles to the pet trade.  Improbable ideas often sound plausible in the middle of the night on a dreary road through the desert, vanishing as quickly as bats at sunrise.  But this one struck a chord with Sean.  Vern, now pursuing a successful career at the Denver Zoological Gardens, is not involved in the business, but is still the 'V' in VMS.

Monica, holding one of her friends, our favorite cat "Miss Kitty". We lost her in early 2003, she will be missed.	Sean, holding one of his friends - a Rainbow Trout taken and released on the South Platte River at Deckers	Avid bird-watchers, Sean took this photo of a Cackling Cackling Goose (B. h. minima); the first photographically documented occurrence of the sub-specie in Colorado.	A view of the Hayman wildfire from the back bedroom in our last home. It came close! Click the pic for more views!
An elk herd is in the foreground of this view of the Sangre De Cristo mountains taken from our front deck.	Bighorn Sheep are common along the nearby Arkansas River canyons.	Mule Deer are always draining our bird-baths! But they have their own charms...	Hummingbirds are always draining our feeders! Broad-Tailed, Rufous and Calliope Hummers frequent our area.
This guy shows up each evening to drain a bucket of corn!	A Colorado sunset, another of the many reasons we love it here!	Monica fools around while packing orders!	Sean at a trade show. Why are these things always so tiring? I look exhausted.
Monica riding her ATV on mountain trails just minutes from our home.	Evening Grosbeaks are common on our property	Sharp-Shinned Hawks, like this juvenile, often hunt birds on our property.

PS - After four long years of waiting, the amelanistic Prairie Rattlesnake produced a litter of babies. All were female, like the original albino. Three years and three litters later, the results were the same. Sean realized that even if a male were born the following year it would still take four years to reach maturity. This would be an investment of eleven years before a single albino was ever produced! Fearing pending changes in Colorado wildlife laws, and wondering if he possessed enough stamina to see it through, Sean relented and sold the project off. Moral of the story: It's a lot of work bringing some of these projects to fruition - so don't be surprised at breeders asking high prices for the newest color morphs or rare animals. They are simply trying to recoup their investment.

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