Press Item: Reptiles as pets increasing in number

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Posted by Desiree on July 25, 2001 at 22:47:21:

Reptiles as pets increasing in number

Wednesday, July 25, 2001

By Jeff Smith
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When David Pease and Iggy go for a walk, the activity takes on aspects of a parade.

Heads turn and people gawk. Neighbors step out of their way and children sometimes follow them in glee.

"I put (Iggy) on a dog leash with a 16-foot line, and he'll stand on his hind legs and walk," Pease said.

Pease is a reptile lover, counting 16 snakes, a Nile monitor lizard and two giant green iguanas, including the 5-foot-long Iggy, among the residents of his Flint Township home.

His pets live in store-bought terrariums or larger, climate-controlled enclosures that he built. A carpet-covered artificial "tree" standing more than 6-feet tall by a window in the living room is a favorite lounging spot for Iggy, who has free reign of the house.

The animals are his hobby, Pease said, but his family is involved with their care. In a utility room, his wife, Darla, and their teenage daughter, Shannon, raise live rats and mice for the snakes' food.

His daughter names the snakes. "They're all named after Greek gods, and I'm running out of Greek gods," he said.

While Iggy is a big cheese lover, the lizards are herbivores, said the 40-year-old Pease.

Although they may lack cuddle-appeal like a dog or cat, and their inclinations, like the need for live food, may turn off some people, Pease is not alone in his love of reptiles.

At local pet stores, reptiles like turtles, geckos

and iguanas are good sellers, their popularity evidenced by the dozens of Web sites that focus exclusively on the various species.

Their appeal crosses lines of age, ethnicity and classes, and it's not strictly a guy thing. Years ago, snakes and lizards became cool accessories on the shoulders of urban youth, a common sight at New York City's Puerto Rican Festival or Detroit's summer ethnic celebrations.

But homemakers and middle-aged fathers in this area also are members of this all-inclusive fraternity.

Their popularity as pets has lead to an increase in the number of veterinarians who take an interest in or specialize in herpetology (the science of amphibians and reptiles). And increased exposure to the animals by veterinarians has lead to better medical treatment for them.

Dr. Howard J. Schwartz, veterinarian at the Clarkston Veterinary Clinic on Dixie Highway, estimates that the number of reptile and amphibian owners has exploded in the past five to 10 years.

While figures are hard to come by, Schwartz believes that nationally, reptile and amphibian owners number in the hundreds of thousands, and that the Flint area has its fair share.

Schwartz primarily treats cats and dogs but includes reptiles and amphibians in his practice. The two classes of animals represent nearly 10 percent of his patients.

His most common reptile patients are green iguanas, followed by ball pythons, box turtles and bearded dragons.

Schwartz offers various reasons for their popularity:

A person prone to allergies may decide reptiles are an option because they lack fur or dander.

Since they don't require walking or constant attention, reptiles are good pets for people with busy schedules.

Reptiles also are popular among nonconformists, people who never would be caught with something as mundane as a dog or cat.

However, those who handle reptiles warn against making generalizations when it comes to describing fans of the scaly and cold-blooded.

"We have one really old lady who's probably in her 70s, and she doesn't fit any stereotypes. She's not a biker," said Tami Hofius, team leader for the Flint Township Petco store, referring to a reptile-loving customer.

"(She looks) just like a grandma," she said.

Hofius said she knows many females who love reptiles, including her best friend, who has four as pets.

Hofius cites the media focus on things reptilian as one reason they're in vogue, mentioning the GEICO insurance commercials that feature an animated gecko.

In the Flint Township store, terrariums are filled with geckos turtles, iguanas and a variety of snakes.

"We go through a lot of anoles because people think, 'It's only a $6 lizard. My kid can have one,' " Hofius said. Then the prospective customer finds out what's needed for the animals.

"They're cheap to buy, but they're more expensive to maintain," she said, pointing out the importance of the right terrarium, lights (used to regulate body temperature and build strong bones) and the proper strata.

Store employees hand out care sheets to reptile buyers, said Petco employee Amanda Fields. She recommends people research the pets, suggesting the Internet. She gives credence only to those sites that cite sources. Otherwise, the results could prove disastrous to animal and owner.

"You kill them off because you don't know how to handle them," Fields said. "Or they kill you off first," Hofius interjected.

Stephanie Oslo knows first hand about the dangers that reptiles can pose. When she was 8, growing up on Flint's east side, she was hospitalized for a year after contracting spinal meningitis from a turtle she had captured and adopted as a pet.

When she finally was released from the hospital, her younger brother was admitted for the same reason.

Yet despite that potentially fatal episode - reptiles also can transmit salmonella to humans - Olsey remains enraptured over reptiles.

"I have a zoo," said the 37-year-old Olsey, a supervisor at Creative Foam Corp. in Fenton. She and her 8-year-old daughter, Raven, live with a Saint Bernard/Labrador retriever mix, a baby pit bull, three cats, a cockatoo, a 6-foot, 3-year-old, female, rainbow boa constrictor and a 6-year-old, male, green iguana.

Olsey completes the menagerie with Minnie and Mickey, two hermit crabs she recently obtained in Florida.

Her daughter is at ease with the animals. Raven realizes the iguana is not a play toy, Olsey said. "You don't put a dress on it, like you would a cat."

Her reptile collection was obtained free: She was given the animals by owners who no longer wanted to care for them, she said.

"A lot of people get these animals and they turn (the animals) into a plant - out of sight, out of mind," she said. "A lot of people don't understand these things."

Each species has different needs. Iguanas live in trees in Central and South America, thrive in humid environments and get their drinking water from leaves. They should be sprayed with water daily, she explained.

Moreover, the lizards are herbivores. The preferred diet is dark, leafy, greens. Some owners feed them meat or meat products like dog chow, which speeds up their growth but shortens their life, she said.

Olsey's iguana, Olusha, was given to her by a previous owner. The animals can be housebroken by training them to use a wet pile of paper, she said.

Olsey keeps the snakes in enclosures and keeps a close watch on the iguana. Since iguanas love to climb and perch, owners should be careful since they can make short work of window treatments, she said.

As for the snakes, Olsey keeps them in terrariums.

"I used to walk my balled python outside the house, but the neighbors would get all scared and grab their kids and go in the house," she said.

Peace also is hesitant to be seen outside his home with his pets, but for a different reason. He doesn't want neighborhood children constantly knocking on his door to see his animals.

Instead, when Peace ventures out with his reptiles, it's usually as a self-appointed ambassador for them.

He has an agreement with Petco to answer questions about reptiles from customers who have expressed interest in them.

Peace stresses how much work is involved in raising lizards and snakes.

"They live forever, and they get big enough to eat a family dog," he said about snakes.

Yet despite the challenges, Peace says the charm of his pets outweighs any disadvantages.

First, they keep the teenage boys away from his daughter, Shannon, while she's home, he said.

And during one particular holiday, his house becomes the talk of the block.

"I love Halloween around here. Halloween around here is fun because (startled) kids leave their (candy) bags on the porch," Pease said.

Jeff Smith is a feature writer. He can be reached at (810) 766-6328.

Reptiles as pets increasing in number

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Re: nice post.but unfortunatley laws are also on the increase...... m chambers 07/26/01 (0)

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: Reptiles as pets increasing in number : Wednesday, July 25, 2001 : By Jeff Smith : JOURNAL STAFF WRITER : : -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : When David Pease and Iggy go for a walk, the activity takes on aspects of a parade. : Heads turn and people gawk. Neighbors step out of their way and children sometimes follow them in glee. : "I put (Iggy) on a dog leash with a 16-foot line, and he'll stand on his hind legs and walk," Pease said. : Pease is a reptile lover, counting 16 snakes, a Nile monitor lizard and two giant green iguanas, including the 5-foot-long Iggy, among the residents of his Flint Township home. : His pets live in store-bought terrariums or larger, climate-controlled enclosures that he built. A carpet-covered artificial "tree" standing more than 6-feet tall by a window in the living room is a favorite lounging spot for Iggy, who has free reign of the house. : The animals are his hobby, Pease said, but his family is involved with their care. In a utility room, his wife, Darla, and their teenage daughter, Shannon, raise live rats and mice for the snakes' food. : His daughter names the snakes. "They're all named after Greek gods, and I'm running out of Greek gods," he said. : While Iggy is a big cheese lover, the lizards are herbivores, said the 40-year-old Pease. : Although they may lack cuddle-appeal like a dog or cat, and their inclinations, like the need for live food, may turn off some people, Pease is not alone in his love of reptiles. : At local pet stores, reptiles like turtles, geckos : and iguanas are good sellers, their popularity evidenced by the dozens of Web sites that focus exclusively on the various species. : Their appeal crosses lines of age, ethnicity and classes, and it's not strictly a guy thing. Years ago, snakes and lizards became cool accessories on the shoulders of urban youth, a common sight at New York City's Puerto Rican Festival or Detroit's summer ethnic celebrations. : But homemakers and middle-aged fathers in this area also are members of this all-inclusive fraternity. : Their popularity as pets has lead to an increase in the number of veterinarians who take an interest in or specialize in herpetology (the science of amphibians and reptiles). And increased exposure to the animals by veterinarians has lead to better medical treatment for them. : Dr. Howard J. Schwartz, veterinarian at the Clarkston Veterinary Clinic on Dixie Highway, estimates that the number of reptile and amphibian owners has exploded in the past five to 10 years. : While figures are hard to come by, Schwartz believes that nationally, reptile and amphibian owners number in the hundreds of thousands, and that the Flint area has its fair share. : Schwartz primarily treats cats and dogs but includes reptiles and amphibians in his practice. The two classes of animals represent nearly 10 percent of his patients. : His most common reptile patients are green iguanas, followed by ball pythons, box turtles and bearded dragons. : Schwartz offers various reasons for their popularity: : A person prone to allergies may decide reptiles are an option because they lack fur or dander. : Since they don't require walking or constant attention, reptiles are good pets for people with busy schedules. : Reptiles also are popular among nonconformists, people who never would be caught with something as mundane as a dog or cat. : However, those who handle reptiles warn against making generalizations when it comes to describing fans of the scaly and cold-blooded. : "We have one really old lady who's probably in her 70s, and she doesn't fit any stereotypes. She's not a biker," said Tami Hofius, team leader for the Flint Township Petco store, referring to a reptile-loving customer. : "(She looks) just like a grandma," she said. : Hofius said she knows many females who love reptiles, including her best friend, who has four as pets. : Hofius cites the media focus on things reptilian as one reason they're in vogue, mentioning the GEICO insurance commercials that feature an animated gecko. : In the Flint Township store, terrariums are filled with geckos turtles, iguanas and a variety of snakes. : "We go through a lot of anoles because people think, 'It's only a $6 lizard. My kid can have one,' " Hofius said. Then the prospective customer finds out what's needed for the animals. : "They're cheap to buy, but they're more expensive to maintain," she said, pointing out the importance of the right terrarium, lights (used to regulate body temperature and build strong bones) and the proper strata. : Store employees hand out care sheets to reptile buyers, said Petco employee Amanda Fields. She recommends people research the pets, suggesting the Internet. She gives credence only to those sites that cite sources. Otherwise, the results could prove disastrous to animal and owner. : "You kill them off because you don't know how to handle them," Fields said. "Or they kill you off first," Hofius interjected. : Stephanie Oslo knows first hand about the dangers that reptiles can pose. When she was 8, growing up on Flint's east side, she was hospitalized for a year after contracting spinal meningitis from a turtle she had captured and adopted as a pet. : When she finally was released from the hospital, her younger brother was admitted for the same reason. : Yet despite that potentially fatal episode - reptiles also can transmit salmonella to humans - Olsey remains enraptured over reptiles. : "I have a zoo," said the 37-year-old Olsey, a supervisor at Creative Foam Corp. in Fenton. She and her 8-year-old daughter, Raven, live with a Saint Bernard/Labrador retriever mix, a baby pit bull, three cats, a cockatoo, a 6-foot, 3-year-old, female, rainbow boa constrictor and a 6-year-old, male, green iguana. : Olsey completes the menagerie with Minnie and Mickey, two hermit crabs she recently obtained in Florida. : Her daughter is at ease with the animals. Raven realizes the iguana is not a play toy, Olsey said. "You don't put a dress on it, like you would a cat." : Her reptile collection was obtained free: She was given the animals by owners who no longer wanted to care for them, she said. : "A lot of people get these animals and they turn (the animals) into a plant - out of sight, out of mind," she said. "A lot of people don't understand these things." : Each species has different needs. Iguanas live in trees in Central and South America, thrive in humid environments and get their drinking water from leaves. They should be sprayed with water daily, she explained. : Moreover, the lizards are herbivores. The preferred diet is dark, leafy, greens. Some owners feed them meat or meat products like dog chow, which speeds up their growth but shortens their life, she said. : Olsey's iguana, Olusha, was given to her by a previous owner. The animals can be housebroken by training them to use a wet pile of paper, she said. : Olsey keeps the snakes in enclosures and keeps a close watch on the iguana. Since iguanas love to climb and perch, owners should be careful since they can make short work of window treatments, she said. : As for the snakes, Olsey keeps them in terrariums. : "I used to walk my balled python outside the house, but the neighbors would get all scared and grab their kids and go in the house," she said. : Peace also is hesitant to be seen outside his home with his pets, but for a different reason. He doesn't want neighborhood children constantly knocking on his door to see his animals. : Instead, when Peace ventures out with his reptiles, it's usually as a self-appointed ambassador for them. : He has an agreement with Petco to answer questions about reptiles from customers who have expressed interest in them. : Peace stresses how much work is involved in raising lizards and snakes. : "They live forever, and they get big enough to eat a family dog," he said about snakes. : Yet despite the challenges, Peace says the charm of his pets outweighs any disadvantages. : First, they keep the teenage boys away from his daughter, Shannon, while she's home, he said. : And during one particular holiday, his house becomes the talk of the block. : "I love Halloween around here. Halloween around here is fun because (startled) kids leave their (candy) bags on the porch," Pease said. : Jeff Smith is a feature writer. He can be reached at (810) 766-6328.

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