Exotics in Tucson are found in homes, pet shops, and, to the surprise of many citizens, in and around their homes! Cute, beautiful, and appealing when they are small, exotics grow, in some cases, to become quite large. Many of the reptiles, which are available for sale, are the product of breeding to create new colors and designs which make owning them a conversation piece and enhances the experience of raising them as a gorgeous pet.
1st Response Wildlife is called, from time to time, to capture and/or remove an exotic that has either escaped or, in some cases, has been released because it has gotten either too large or too expensive to feed and maintain. When I get these calls, if no owner is found, after a physical inspection to make sure the exotic is in good health, I work with businesses that accept exotics.
As a licensed animal trapper and licensed-to-hold by Arizona Game and Fish Department educator, I am a customer of the businesses that sell exotics along with food and other supplies for the reptiles and amphibians I use for my seminars. My relationship with these businesses is symbiotic because, on one hand, our relationship allows visibility to reptiles they keep and sell and which reptiles and amphibians they will accept to fill out their inventory and, on the other hand, if I need an exotic for a seminar, I can “borrow” a specimen for a day for show-and-tell.
Recently I was visiting one of the shops I work with, Reptile Specialists, and, with the permission of the owners, I took a few pictures of specimens they have for sale and which represent good examples of what I expect are held as pets by the hundreds here in greater Tucson and certainly in Arizona. As you can see, these guys are beautiful. I am posting these pictures to help families, considering exotics, to get a sense of how large an enclosure their pet will eventually need and help them consider what questions they need to ask in regards to food, bedding, and proper environments. (If you are interested in knowing the name of the exotic pictured, just hover your cursor over that picture, and the name of the exotic will appear.)
When you visit shops that sell exotics or attend the reptile shows that are held in Tucson or Phoenix, it is important to remember that recently passed regulations which apply to exotics restrict taking many of them across state lines and, in fact, some species can no longer be sold. It is always a good idea to check with the shop selling exotics or to query an exhibitor at a reptile show in regards to whether what you have or are considering to acquire is on the approved list.
If you see an exotic in your neighborhood that looks out of place and you do not know the owner, or have one of your own that has somehow gotten out, give 1st Response Wildlife a call and I would be happy to work with you. If you are looking for an exotic, there are a number of places in Tucson that have a variety of species and sizes to choose from in addition to national chain pet shops. Reptile Specialists, Ever Evolving Exotics, and Tropical Kingdom Inc. are a few of the shops that specialize.
Since I have three exotics as part of my collection, I am very familiar with these businesses, and I work with the Arizona Herpetology Association and Arizona Game and Fish Department to ensure indigenous and exotics in Tucson are healthy and treated well.
Thanks for considering 1st Response Wildlife
Josh's Cell (24/7 Hours): 520-260-9517
Josh Waling is a humane Licensed Animal Trapper who catches and releases wildlife, removing animals including bobcats (lince), snakes, rattlesnakes (serpiente de cascabel), raccoons (mapache), pack rats, gila monsters (monstruos de gila), rabbits (canejo), owls, bats, squirrels (ardilla), coatimundi (gato solo), skunks (mofeta), exotics, and domestic cats and dogs. He delivers service that is professional and fast and he is available 24/7. Give him a call the next time you hear unusual noises in the attic or crawl spaces in your home or if you see wildlife eating your vegetation, creating nests, and raising their young too close to your pets or children or have an exotic sighting in your neighborhood. 520-260-9517 Thanks!
Comments