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About Small Town Xotics…

Small Town Xotics was founded by Shane Kelley, a lifelong reptile enthusiast whose passion for exotic animals began in Santa Paula, California. As a child, Shane was captivated by native wildlife like King Snakes and Horned Lizards—a fascination that evolved into keeping over 30 species of reptiles by the early 2000s. His collection included Burmese Pythons, Boas, Leopard Geckos, Bearded Dragons, Iguanas, Tortoises, and multiple kingsnake varieties.
After stepping away from the hobby, Shane reignited his love for reptiles in 2019 with the purchase of a Genetic Stripe Ball Python. That single decision sparked the creation of Small Town Xotics—a brand built on integrity, passion, and one of the most curated collections in the industry.

The 2020 season marked STX’s breakout year. Shane was named the unofficial "Rookie of the Year" by Billy at Mutation Creation and earned recognition from The Reptile Report for running the most impactful reptile social media campaign of the year. That same year, he also won the first-ever "15 Minutes of Lame" contest on the Snakes and the Fatman podcast.

In 2023, Shane was featured in the acclaimed “15 Minutes | A Ball Python Documentary” by Leviathan Snakes, highlighting his rise as one of the most respected breeders in the ball python community.
Shane is also the co-host of Reptiles Unplugged, a leading YouTube podcast focused on honest, unfiltered reptile industry conversations. In addition, Small Town Xotics runs a thriving Patreon community, offering behind-the-scenes access, exclusive hatchling previews, breeder insights, and event perks to STX supporters nationwide.
Shane has appeared on numerous reptile podcasts, collaborated with many of the industry's top names, and remains a fixture at reptile expos and breeder events across the U.S.
At Small Town Xotics, we specialize in breeding high-quality, genetically diverse Ball Pythons and Western Hognose snakes, with a focus on double and triple recessive combinations—including Genetic Stripe, Clown, Desert Ghost, and Hypo. Our mission is rooted in education, transparency, and innovation.
We’re not just breeding snakes—we’re building a legacy.