Most Canberrans can remember finding a blue tongue lizard in their backyard, or holding a snake at their primary school fete. Yet, who are the people who look after these native reptiles?
Reptile Inc. was founded in 2003 by Peter Child when he began the company from his own backyard. He later moved his company down to Kambah Village, as a place for customers to purchase and care for their reptiles in the best way possible.
Later, in 2012, a northside store was opened to service the reptile lovers on that side of the city. This included a reptile zoo attached for all Canberrans to go and see the beautiful creatures.
At just five years old, Mia Tesolin attended a birthday party at Reptile Inc. It was hosted by the owner Peter, and that’s when she fell in love with reptiles. As soon as she was old enough, Mia applied for a job at Reptiles Inc.
Q: What led you to wanting to work with reptiles?
A: It started when my cousins had a birthday party with Reptiles Inc when we were younger. I absolutely loved all the snakes and crocodiles that they brought out.
When I moved into my house in Kambah ten years ago, my neighbours and I discovered Reptile Inc. We would go there everyday after school. We soon became regulars and I haven’t stopped going since.
Q: What is it like to work up close and personal with reptiles everyday?
A: It is really fun. We get to learn lots about the different reptiles we sell. We also have the perks of hanging out with snakes and crocodiles everyday and the opportunity to teach the public about the different reptiles.
Q: Are there any disadvantages to working with reptiles?
A: I would say there definitely are some. You quickly learn what a dead rat smells like because that’s what we feed our snakes. It really isn’t a great smell.
Other than that, I’d say a big disadvantage is the potential bite we can get from the reptiles. It’s always a possibility when we have to catch crocodiles out of their water enclosures and pull snakes out of their tanks.
It is also bittersweet to see reptiles that have been up for adoption for a long time, be adopted. We have grown attached to them, so it is sad to see them go. Luckily the majority of our customers are regulars and they do bring them in every now and then, so we do get to see them thriving.
Q: What is your role with the reptiles?
A: At Kambah Reptile Inc, my role is to look after animals that we are going to sell, as well as looking after our few display animals. In Kambah I focus on sales, such as selling enclosure set-ups and teaching customers how to look after their animals.
Out at the Gold Creek store, I do a variety of roles. Sometimes I am doing sales. Other times I am taking care of the bigger animals like the crocodiles and our snakes on display. I also prepare the food for customers to buy, such as cricket boxes.
Q: What is the most unique animal at the reptile zoo and what makes it the most special?
We have a variety of unique animals. We have the most venomous snake on earth as well as some of the biggest and heaviest snakes on earth. We’ve got giant and small crocodiles, all different kinds.
Our store is unique compared to other zoos in and around Canberra as they don’t have the range of reptiles we have. We always feel pretty lucky that we get to have these really cool animals.
Q: Do you have a favourite animal across the two locations?
A: I’d definitely say my favourite is a five-year-old Children’s Python named Pencil. She is the sweetest snake I have ever met and the reason I have snakes of my own. I got to handle her on my first ever day working at the zoo and fell in love straight away. I say hello to her everyday that I work in Gold Creek.
Q: You mentioned that Pencil inspired you to get your own snakes, how many reptiles do you have at home?
Currently I have four reptiles. I have two central bearded dragons, Nacho and Chica, and they’re about four years old. They do breed every season as well, so I do end up with baby lizards every year. I also have two pythons. I have a children’s python named Pretzel, inspired by Pencil and a bredli carpet python named Gump, after Forest Gump.
(photos: Mia Tesolin)
Q: Lastly, what advice would you give to people who are afraid of snakes or reptiles and avoid going to places, like the Reptile zoo?
A: The best thing would be to come to the zoo and meet the animals that we bring out. We respect people who are scared of snakes and crocodiles, but we really do encourage people. I have seen people’s fears broken from meeting the reptiles.
We also have many precautions in place to keep our customers safe. Our crocodiles have a band around the mouth so they can’t snap at people. Additionally, we make sure all reptiles we bring around people are used to being handled and are very friendly.
Reptile Inc in Kambah is free to enter and is open 10am-5pm Tuesday-Friday and 10am-6pm on Saturdays.
Tickets for the Canberra Reptile Zoo in Gold Creek can be found here and range between $12-$20. The Reptile Zoo is open everyday from 10am until 5pm.
Original photos by Rosie Desmond