Sponsored by
Oliver Cross: Working with little dinosaurs
This week I return to my occasional series on people who do unusual jobs.
Last time it was a tripe shop owner and now it’s a herpetoculturist, which is a person who cares for or breeds reptiles and amphibians – and it isn’t really a job, it’s a calling.
Jordan, who works at Tyrannosaurus Pets in Kirkstall Road, Leeds, went down the reptile path about nine years ago, when he was aged 12 and his father brought him a snake.
This turned out to be a very smart move because 12 is a turning-point age and an interest in reptiles can mitigate against any tendency to drugs, poor dress-sense, aggravated sulking or looting.
So Jordan went on to become a most amiable and efficient herpetoculturist, dispensing advice and essential supplies to customers of Tyrannosaurus Pets.
I visited the shop on a freezing midweek day this week, when the customers were not only more numerous then you would expect but also – because I’ve always thought an interest in reptiles rather suspect in a David Icke-y sort of way – more normal.
Jordan tells me that at one time the reptile world was crowded with biker/rocker types with a particular liking for snakes, but now it’s all sorts.
Indeed, the shop, although devoted to cold-blooded animals not noted for their sense of humour, is a very friendly place; as well as selling things, it provides a forum for like-minded enthusiasts to discuss their concerns in civilized surroundings, which is more than you can say for Tesco Express.
One customer is worried that his bearded dragon (one of the most popular types of lizard) is growing fat through eating too many insects and not enough lettuce and carrots.
My sympathies, because I’m more drawn to protein than rabbit-food, are with the lizard, but Jason advises tough love; withdraw the insects for a while and the animal will have no choice but to eat his vegetables, and apparently, in a battle of the wills between humans and reptiles, the reptiles will eventually give way. Note that this doesn’t necessarily apply to children.
Jason is, during my visit, sitting with the equally amiable Stuart, who is not paid but just enjoys being around reptiles and amphibians (he shows me his exotic frog). This is really the only way into professional herpetoculturism; you need enthusiasm, dedication, the ability to find reptiles fascinating and, which makes it no different from most modern jobs, and the willingness to work for nothing.
The big division in the reptile world is between lizards and snakes. Snakes live on frozen small animals and don’t really do much except coil themselves up and get ready to strike; lizards eat live insects, mainly locusts and crickets, and can be active and sociable.
Bearded dragons (called ‘beardies’ by aficionados) come from the deserts of Australia, have bright eyes, respond to people and can even, for a hairless creature, look a little cute.
A middle-aged couple, looking miraculously up-beat considering they’ve just returning from a snow-delayed trip to France by Ryanair, are delighted to be reunited with their female beardie, who has been utilising the shop’s holiday-boarding facility.
There are hugs all round and the lizard looks very happy to be back with its owners, as if, were it anatomically possible, she might start purring.
I suggested that, for short breaks, the owners could leave the animal at home with a basic supply of water and food, since lizards don’t consume much and don’t need exercising.
The woman owner looks mildly horrified. “She needs her company,” she says, with a glance at the lizard, who seems to agree.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Politics: Mark Hookham's Westminster blog - 5.33pm
- Castleford RSPB Fairburn Ings: High wire act Swallows’ summer parade
- Worker dies on North Yorkshire Moors Railway
- Video: Restaurant reopens on Leeds Harry Ramsden’s site after £500,000 refit
- Chocolat author will tempt guests at Leeds Big Bookend Festival
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Leeds
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 26 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.