Hello, my name is Jason Holzworth, aka Big Country. I was born and bred in the very small town of Crothersville, IN. Typical small town, 1300 people, 1 stoplight, everyone knows everyone. As with most reptile and amphibian enthusiasts, I was interested from a very young age.

It really came together when I was five years old, and a trip to the Louisville zoo. I was one of the lucky ten kids that got to hold the twenty foot Burmese python. I was hooked! From that day on, I wanted to be a zookeeper, later I found out it was called a herpetologist.

My first snake caught was a rough green snake. My grandma of all people, who was deathly afraid of snakes, helped me keep it in a jar, then the same day ironically, accidentally let it go, to never be seen again. It seems that almost all of my family members where afraid of snakes, except for my mom. I did help my late father overcome his fear by draping snakes around his neck, and putting tarantulas on his head and back!

After many years of begging and pleading, I was allowed my first snake at the age of thirteen; a boa constrictor, which I still have today! This was a big mistake on my parent's part, I started going to reptile shows, and the next thing you know, I had all kinds of snakes and lizards. At the age of 17, I shadowed at the Louisville zoo, and as the seed had been planted, the plant began to wilt. It was an interesting day at the zoo, and very much fun. But when I inquired about the salary of a zookeeper, I was disappointed. I thought about how I would support my future family doing this job, as I listened to what the keeper had to say...

My interests changed and all that I had left was the boa. I began other interests, such as cycling and running. I became very fit, losing over 100 pounds, competing in 24 hour mountain bike races and a triathlon. Life would bring me back to Louisville, KY, as I bought my first house.

And as life would have it, the seed that was originally planted never stopped growing.