Hi there! I’m Sam Aneca, a 30-year-old herpetoculture enthusiast based in Belgium. “Passionate” hardly does justice to my long-standing fascination with reptiles. I previously worked as a zookeeper in the herpetology department of Zoo Antwerp, where I specialized in lizards from temperate, Mediterranean, and arid regions.

Today, I work as a biology and geography teacher, a role that allows me more time to dedicate to various projects—many of which you can explore on this website.

My main focus is small-scale breeding of lizard species from North-Africa that are still frequently wild-caught for the pet trade. By supplying healthy, captive-bred animals, I aim to help reduce the demand for wild-caught specimens and contribute to more sustainable herpetoculture.

Why do I keep and breed certain lizard species?

As lizards become increasingly popular as pets, the demand for them continues to rise. Unfortunately, this growing demand can place pressure on natural populations, as some species are still collected from the wild for the pet trade.

My main goal is to breed a select number of lizard species that have the potential to become excellent pet lizards when offered as captive bred animals. By providing healthy, well-started captive bred offspring, we can help reduce the need for wild collection and ease the pressure on wild populations.

Wild caught animals do have their place within herpetoculture, but only when they end up in the hands of responsible and experienced breeders who work towards establishing stable and sustainable captive bred populations.

Sustainability

I primarily focus on breeding lizard species that are still imported in significant numbers from their natural habitats. While this practice has long been part of the pet trade, it is not sustainable in the long term and can place increasing pressure on wild populations.

By establishing and maintaining healthy captive breeding groups, I aim to offer a reliable and responsible alternative to wild caught animals. Providing captive bred lizards not only reduces the need for continued wild collection, but also results in animals that are better adapted to life in captivity. In this way, captive breeding can play an important role in supporting more ethical and sustainable herpetoculture.

Research

Through focused breeding projects, there is an opportunity to contribute meaningful and practical data to scientific research on lizard behaviour, reproduction, and habitat preferences. Observations made in captivity—when carefully documented over longer periods—can complement field studies and help fill existing knowledge gaps.

An important part of this work is the publication of articles in specialized magazines. By sharing documented experiences, results, and observations with a broader audience of keepers, breeders, and researchers, these projects can contribute to the collective understanding of the species and promote more informed and responsible herpetoculture.

Education

I also use my lizards as an educational tool to raise awareness about their important role within natural ecosystems. By introducing people to these animals up close, I aim to challenge misconceptions and highlight their ecological value.

In this way, lizards can serve as powerful conservation ambassadors, helping to spark interest, understanding, and respect for the habitats they originate from and the broader need for their protection.

"I created this website to give myself, and others who share the same interests, an overview of the species i keep and projects I’ve worked on and those I’m still working on. By sharing my experience and knowledge, I hope to inspire, educate, and collaborate with others."