Behind “the scarlet society”

My dear friend, the whys behind "The Scarlet Society" are rooted deep in my heart and soul, and  putting that into words would take me a lifetime. Instead, in this write-up, I will depict some of the events and ideas that contributed to the creation of this concept. 

I hope you like reading because this article will be a LONG one.   

Ever since I got my first blood python to this very moment, the journey to be a better keeper has been full of ups and downs. I've met great people and also some terrible ones (thankfully few and far between). But one of these "Terrible Individuals" became the catalyst of what today is "The Scarlet Society."

When my beautiful wife, Denia, and I moved to the US in 2013, I was forced to leave my beloved collection of blood pythons in Mexico. I took pride in being the first blood python keeper to import the first Ivory, T-negative albino, T-positive albino Matrix, and the TBC raspberry line to Mexico—quite an achievement in my (not so) humble opinion. Unfortunately, the international regulations for animal transportation are tricky and, honestly, a real headache for those of us who want to do things the right way.  

You must obtain specific permits and paperwork before shipping to import or export an animal. Now, when we get into CITES species, that’s when the fun begins. Taxes, fees, shipping costs, customs fees, inspections, veterinarian health certificates, the actual CITES numbers, getting an importer or exporter certified agent, the shipping logistics, and whatever else each Country requires to complete the process… and let's not forget the time it takes to get all of the above. 

This is when the "Terrible" individual (TI for short.) comes into the scene. To complete the process, I needed somebody in Mexico to help me get some of the paperwork and to take care of my animals until I could ship them to the US. I met TI through some fellow keepers. From day one, TI showed interest in blood pythons. He was experienced in keeping various species of reptiles, and sometime later, we became friends. Unfortunately, I didn't have much time or a better candidate for the job, so I asked him for help. He was very eager to take on the task. At first, during the "honeymoon" phase, everything seemed perfect. I got regular updates on the snakes, and the bureaucratic process was going well. Then, one day, I got a call from TI saying that he needed to relocate some of the animals because he couldn't take care of them anymore. He also said that one of the government agencies was asking for more money and proof that the animals were kept legally. All my animals had the legal documents and CITES permits. I told him everything was in the binder I left in his custody. The money part was a little sketchy, but I sent the amount requested anyway. I know firsthand how corrupt some of these agencies can be. 

That was the last time I heard from him. The radio went silent. I tried everything to get ahold of him. I traveled back to Mexico a couple of times, hoping I could find him, but TI vanished, and with him my entire collection and dreams.

Why is all this important?  Well, let me tell you. When you lose everything you worked so hard for, the aftermath is quite devastating. I had two options. Stay on the ground, defeated, and do nothing, or get up and push forward. I chose the second one.

part of The Original collection back in Mexico.

I tried to pursue my passion for reptiles even though the morale was on the ground. Unfortunately, life is rarely a straightforward path. New beginnings seem great in movies but let me tell you, for a new immigrant starting from zero in a new country, there is a steep slope full of challenges to overcome. Slowly but steadily, life got back on track, and I regained the confidence and strength to rebuild my "stolen" dream. 

In those years, I was able to attend a few reptile shows, which honestly helped a lot to keep my head above the water. Undoubtedly, the most memorable One was the 2014 NARBC spring show in Arlington, TX. 

There, I met the legends themselves, Tracy Barker and Alliey McAra. Long story short, they both fueled my passion for blood pythons even more. Tracy spent a good hour talking Bloods and showing me some of the most amazing blood python morphs on the planet  (the Wrought Iron was the show's highlight).  That day, I learned three invaluable lessons. 

• The importance of a mentor

• The importance of sharing knowledge

• The meaning of playing the long game and the importance of conceiving the collection you want regardless of what's popular now. 

2014 NARBC show, Arlington tx.

left: alliey macara (giantkeeper reptiles)

center: tracy barker (vpi)

right: Ernesto Hinojosa (the scarlet society)

Note: Pictures don’t do us Justice; we are way better looking in person.

I was determined to fulfill my vision of creating this “living museum” of blood pythons. The plan was simple. Get the best to produce the exceptional. A slow and steady growth, with a long-term game plan, looking for quality over anything else. This approach led me to some of the best blood python breeders in the world. Not only was I fortunate enough to acquire exceptional snakes from them, but they have also been incredible mentors and, why not, friends. Let me tell you, the reason why this website exists is because Nick Bottini (Cold Blooded Earth)  kicked me out of my comfort zone and encouraged me to build it! (thank you, Nick) that's what good mentors do.          

Now, deep in my heart, I knew something was missing. So far, I made it sound like blood pythons are just some hot collectible item and nothing more. And unfortunately, I did see them that way for a while. I jumped into the hype of being the "first" at something. From hatching a world first to getting the newest morph in the market. As a matter of fact, the original name of the project was "The Blood Empire," and I wanted to be the Emperor. But what's an empire, after all?  A group under a single supreme authority. Is that what I really wanted? Of course not. The reptile hobby should not have Emperors. (nothing should, quite honestly).

I realized I was heading in the wrong direction. I was disregarding my principles and the lessons I learned throughout the years. It was time for a course correction. 
Deep in my thoughts, I was trying to redefine and materialize a new concept. Once again, I had to go back to my childhood memories. I remembered how I kept my fascination for reptiles a secret. I didn’t want to be bullied for being different. However, that secrecy made my interest in reptiles extra special. Unfortunately, our community still faces that stigma, and many of us prefer to keep a low profile even as adults, perhaps more than ever. So, when creating this new concept, that "secret fascination" was a compelling element to play with.                                                                                                                                                                                    

• The Secret. Something that can only be accessed if you earn the right to do so.

I also asked people both from the hobby and people unfamiliar with snakes. What is the first thing that comes to mind when I say “blood python”? The answers were quite interesting. Most people unfamiliar with snakes said, “A red snake.” Meanwhile, the people in the hobby overwhelmingly answer either a “mean snake” or a "fat snake." These were keepers who had very limited or no experience with blood pythons. Ironically, the stigma keeps showing up, this time in a different form. Misinformation.  Now, we have two more elements to work with. One is the color.  And two, the lack of information available to the public. So, all three  elements gave me the pillars of the project. 

• First and foremost,  the color had to be Red as this is the most representative shade in blood pythons, although they come in a diverse color palette. 

• Blood pythons are not your typically entry-level species. Many new reptile keepers ignore their existence until they are immersed in the hobby. (One of the best-kept secrets in the industry.) Because of that, Blood Pythons are surrounded by myths, with a veil of mysticism. Just like a "secret society". 

• Last but not least. To generate and share knowledge so we can all grow a better community for the present and future generations of blood python keepers. 

   That’s how the concept of “The Scarlet Society” was born.  

The logo:

A blood python on a red wax stamp, waiting to share its secrets with those who dare to break the seal and enter “The scarlet society.”

Combining all these elements with the experience and tenacious mission of mastering the art of blood python keeping, “The Scarlet Society” was born. Now, more than ever, I want to share what I have learned and achieved in the past decade. A new chapter has begun for me, and I am thankful for the opportunity to share our legacy with you.  

Onwards and upwards.

-Ernesto Hinojosa