Caveman Critters

08/05/2026

Our first two of the season. Slow start. But they’re exactly what I expect from my chunky monkey x Lemony Snicket pair .

08/04/2026

08/03/2026

You already know!!! We are going to be here going Wild!!!! Come out and celebrate the Best time of year with us and a lot of amazing vendors. We will have our 3D prints and of course a few of our incredible ambassadors. 🦎🦎🦎🦎🐍🐍🐍🐢🐢🐢🍂🍁🍂🍁

07/31/2026

07/31/2026

07/30/2026

Most rescue work would never make an exciting video.

It is washing bowls.

Changing water.

Checking temperatures.

Cleaning enclosures.

Preparing food.

Recording observations.

Replacing equipment.

Noticing that one animal behaved slightly differently today than it did yesterday.

Those ordinary moments are the foundation of responsible animal care.

The dramatic rescue may be the part people remember, but taking an animal through the door is only the beginning. The real work happens in the days, months, and sometimes years that follow.

A rescued reptile does not care whether the work is impressive.

It cares that the water is clean.

It cares that the temperature is appropriate.

It cares that someone notices when something changes.

Rescue is not one heroic moment.

It is a commitment repeated every day.

What part of animal rescue would you like to see more of behind the scenes?

07/30/2026

Your snake does not need to love being handled.

That may sound strange coming from someone who has spent more than two decades teaching people about reptiles.

But successful reptile care is not measured by how often we can hold an animal.

It is measured by how well we understand what that animal needs.

Some snakes tolerate handling extremely well. Others become more comfortable with it over time. Some may always prefer being left alone.

None of those responses makes a snake “good” or “bad.”

Reptiles communicate differently than mammals. They do not usually seek affection in the ways people expect from dogs or cats. Their comfort is often expressed more quietly:

A relaxed body.

Steady, deliberate movement.

Normal feeding behavior.

Curiosity without frantic attempts to escape.

The absence of defensive behavior.

Most people were never taught to recognize those signals. Instead, we were taught that an animal must enjoy physical affection to have a meaningful relationship with us.

Reptiles challenge that idea.

Sometimes respecting an animal means interacting with it.

Sometimes it means giving it space.

Good reptile keeping begins when we stop asking, “What do I want from this animal?” and start asking, “What is this animal telling me?”

What is one behavior your reptile uses to communicate with you?