Reptiles, devotees come together at fairgrounds

Creature Teachers’s very own Shanti Cain and Twinkie, an albino red-tailed boa, were in attendance at the first-ever Reptopia Reptile Expo, held recently at the Polk County Fairgrounds. Photo by Lance Masterson.

Count Veronica Owen among those surprised by how popular the recent Reptopia Reptile Expo at the Polk County Fairgrounds turned out to be.

Owen is experienced when it comes to the world of snakes and things. She owns Reptopia in Albany, and has rescued and rehabilitated bearded dragons and other reptiles for 25 years.

She also organized the expo, reportedly the first of its kind at the fairgrounds. Early indications were that attendance surpassed expectations.

“We were expecting maybe 300 people for the whole show. Well, I think we’ve seen more than 700 (paying customers) go through the door so far,” Owen said, with several hours to go. “We had a great response from the community, and everyone coming through the door says it’s about time something fun happened in this area.”

The expo drew hundreds of devotees, some 60 vendors, and filled three of four rooms in the main building. All this with little money going toward advertising.

“Give credit to our wonderful customers … and vendors … for spreading the word about our expo for months,” Owen said. “It’s been all word-of-mouth and social media. That’s the only advertising we’ve been doing.”

It appears at least one more reptile expo is in Polk County’s future.

“We’ve already got our date booked for next year,” Owen said.

This crested gecko came from Whidbey Island, Washington, to participate in the recent Reptopia Reptile Expo. Photo by Lance Masterson.

Those entering the building found themselves surrounded. No vendor space was empty. Reptile lovers and the simply curious packed the aisles. Large reptiles clung to backs of their vendors,. Others of their ilk wrapped themselves around necks and arms. Even Caeser the No Drama Llama made an appearance.

Creature Teachers was front and center as people entered the building. The booth was staffed by owner Shanti Cain and several reptilian friends. Securing the prime location wasn’t left to chance.

“I registered for this expo a year and a half ago. I reserved my spot so I could be right up front at the gate. So when the kids come in, they can see it, and feel it and be close to it,” Cain said of her tortoise and albino red-tailed boa, Twinkie.

Twinkie is a rescue animal.

“Okay, (when) we got her … Twinkie was morbidly obese and could not move. She weighed 61 pounds (at one time),” Cain said.

Twinkie now weighs less than half that amount.

“She’s healthy. But she still doesn’t have the muscles to carry herself and move around, so she flops,” Cain said. “We have to sit with her and work her muscles.”

It will take time and effort, but Twinkie will regain muscle strength.

Cain’s interest in reptiles grew from watching Steve Irwin’s exploits on “Crocodile Hunter” as a child.

“All I wanted to do was … work with reptile,” Cain said. “And then I got down to college, and I started this business, and it’s been what I’ve been doing for the last few years.”

Spreading the good word about reptiles is what it’s all about for her.

“People don’t love them. People don’t appreciate them. They need advocates,” Cain said. “People kill snakes by the hundreds because they’re terrified of them, especially rattlesnakes. That’s my soft spot. I love rattlesnakes.”

Creature Teachers was established in 2016. Its mission is to combat misunderstanding through education.

“We go around and we do presentations at community centers, at libraries and anything else that’s a type of outreach program,” Cain said.

As for Tammy Gilman, her reptile of choice is so beloved it represents a large insurance company in commercials.

Gilman owns Cresty Clutch out of Whidbey Island, Washington. She brought with her 150 crested geckos, while another 70 remained at home.

“So, we breed geckos. We’ve been doing if for about two years. We found out about this show and decided to come down here,” Gilman said. “We have 13 breeding pairs at home, some of their babies, and keepers that we’re keeping for ourselves.”

Babies are fed crickets and gecko food one day, adults the next day. There’s also routine care and unexpected duties to do. Gilman hesitates to call what she does a job.

“I’m always in there with them,” she said. “They’re fun to hang around with.”

Other vendors tell similar stories of bonding with their reptiles But bad things happen to good reptiles. Owners move, lose interest or simply can’t afford medical and other costs related to pet ownership. This is when Cassandra Ramsdell, and others like her, are needed most.

Ramsdell owns Ramsdell Reptile Rescue in Sweet Home. In rescuing reptiles, she gained comfort through them at a time of personal tragedy.

“We saw a need for it,” Ramsdell said of the rescue. “And it was a way to help me get past my mom, losing my mom.”

The business is growing.

“It got expensive. So we decided to buy a store to help feed the rescue animals, and it’s working out really well,” she said. “I’m having great success with my animals, and with my community, and with my community partners.”

Ramsdell Reptile Rescue houses mainly smaller reptiles. “Leopard geckos are the most common surrendered animal in my rescue right now. I have close to 50 probably,” she said.

Ball pythons, tegus and savannah monitors are also surrendered at a high number.

Adoptions generally take less than six months. But not always.

“I have an iguana that’s been with me for a year and a half,” Ramsdell said. “But adoptions usually only take a few months. I have pretty good success finding homes for them.”