Sometimes we moonlight as a reptile ranch.
It's times like these when we get excited about the creepy crawly things in the desert. So we're pretty pumped about the Reptile Rally (if not only because of the event's name) this Saturday, July 17 at every Phoenix PETCO location. We get it, some of us get goosebumps just thinking about the cold-blooded creatures.
The Reptile Rally is hoping to change that. On Saturday, you're invited to bring in your own reptile or participate in some reptile meet-and-greets with bearded dragons, snakes, lizards and turtles, as well as participate in care and habitat "how to" seminars and feeding time led by reptile specialists.
We nabbed Jonathan Williamson, PETCO's reptile merchandising manager, for the quick rundown on this Saturday's event and some reptile highlights:
Five reptiles anyone can have as pets: bearded dragons, tortoises, crested geckos, leopard geckos and corn pythons. These are all really friendly and calm reptiles that aren't going to outgrow your place (and aren't going to eat your cat for breakfast).
Event info after the jump ...
Four reptiles newbies should not have as pets: Burmese pythons, Reticulated Niles, Monitor pythons and Calcutta tortoises. These are are fairly large reptiles that should only be owned by trained individuals. Seriously.
Three misconceptions about snakes: that they're aggressive, they're slimy and they're difficult to take of. It's actually the opposite. Snakes (the ones that are meant to be pets) are docile, they feel more like leather than anything slimy and they're often easier to take care of than a cat or a dog.
Two snacks a tortoise will love: dandelions and alfalfa.
One reptile you want to own:a red-eyed tree frog, for sure.
To check out some reptile action, visit any PETCO in Phoenix from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and bring your reptile friends, kids ... or if you're a bit squeamish, some rubber gloves.