Sir David Attenborough at 100
Why he means so much to us at Smith's Reptiles
A personal reflection from Kevin Stevens
This week marks the 100th birthday of Sir David Attenborough, and for many of us, it’s impossible to overstate his influence. For me personally, and for Jon (our manager), his work didn’t just inspire an interest in wildlife, it helped shape the direction of our lives.
Where it started (for me)
I was around five or six when I became completely obsessed with wildlife, especially reptiles and amphibians.
Back then, I was watching re-runs of Zoo Quest and programmes like Zoo Quest for a Dragon (and reading the book) but the real turning point came when Life on Earth aired.
I was eleven years old.
That series didn’t just show animals, it explained them. Evolution, behaviour, ecosystems, it all suddenly made sense. It lit a fire that never really went out. To this day it still guides my thought process and how I like to pass my knowledge to others. The building blocks of life on earth.
That’s where it began:
- A lifelong fascination with reptiles and amphibians
- A path into herpetology
- And eventually, a parallel passion for wildlife photography
Where that path led
That early spark turned into a career built around animals.
Over the years, I became recognised within the field:
- Journal Editor for the International Herpetological Society
- Long-term involvement in the UK reptile community
- Running Coast to Coast Exotics for decades
- Providing animal setups and consultancy for TV and natural history work
And if I trace it all the way back, it leads straight to sitting in front of a TV, watching Attenborough.
The “hand-me-down” effect
What’s really interesting and something we see clearly at Smith's Reptiles is how that inspiration carries forward.
Jon, our manager, is a perfect example. I’ve known Jon since he was still at school. Back then, like many of us, he was hooked on dinosaurs, reptiles, and amphibians again, heavily influenced by Attenborough’s work.
Now, years later:
- We’re working together
- Sharing that same passion
- And passing that knowledge on to customers and the next generation
That’s the real legacy.
Attenborough didn’t just inspire individuals he created a chain reaction.
One generation inspires the next.
More than just television
What makes Attenborough different is that he didn’t just present wildlife, he made people care about it.
- He brought reptiles and amphibians into people’s living rooms
- He made complex science understandable
- He connected people emotionally to the natural world
For many of us in this industry, he was the starting point.
Sir David Attenborough turning 100 isn’t just a milestone...
it’s a moment to reflect on just how much influence one person can have.
For me and Jon, it set the course of our lives - it helped shape our passion and career.
And together, that shared influence is now part of what we pass on every day at Smith's Reptiles .
That’s a legacy I’m sure Sir David Attenborough would be proud of - knowledge, passion, and inspiration being handed down, one generation to the next. A true pioneer, a massively important figure to not only those interested in natural history but also to the people on the whole.
