Exotic animals and conquered fears at reptile expo

SaveMe Reptile and Exotics Rescue’s Reptile Convention took place over the weekend at Majestic Nursery in Lambton.

The two-day reptile expo showcased amazing creatures from bearded dragons to hairless rats.

Present were breeders and owners of the exotic animals, with thrilling stories about their love for the creepy crawlies.

Founder of SaveMe, Ilonka Nel, rehabilitates unwanted, abused and neglected animals at her centre.

She has since found that the expo is a great platform to help people conquer their fears related to reptiles by teaching them about the animals.

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The convention organisers also urge community members to learn more about the SPCA, and how they could help make a difference in an animal’s life.

Denis Quick from United Reptiles told the GCN all about dried mealworms and how they offer animals an all-natural high-protein source of nutrition and how the trend was becoming popular among human beings too.

“Mealworms are becoming popular in some households as a protein supplement added to cereals or shakes,” said Denis.

Whether you like your source of protein in the form of worms or cockroaches, Denis, SaveMe, Shawn Hefer and his wife Angelique had the answers to every reptile and protein-related question.

In celebration of Arbor Week, Grow-A-Tree sponsored two yellow wood trees to SaveMe.

The national trees were planted on each day of the convention with the help of attendees.

Each expo attendee got to leave their mark by writing their names or a message on a white rock placed around the planted tree as a border.

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Shawn, the founder of Reptile and Wildlife Rescue (RAWR), did not shy away from the snake bites of the various yellow pythons on display.

“The snakes are more afraid of you than you are of them.

“Snakes only attack when they feel threatened and most people are afraid of snakes because of misconceptions and non-factual information,” he said.

The GCN spotted Hellen Massan, the proud owner of a bearded dragon.

Hellen, who aspires to be a veterinarian when she grows up, said she initially had her eye on a striking chameleon before she saw Rex.

“After I got the chameleon, I just had to have Rex,” she said.

A number of patrons were seen strutting around with snakes around their necks like scarves.

Many others conquered their fear of snakes, like Miguel Brand, who handled a corn snake for the very first time.

Silently creeping near the snakes were a salmon pink bird-eater tarantula, skinny pigs, tenrecs’s and emperor scorpions.

According to Shawn, a popular snake found on the East Rand is a rinkhals, and should you ever come across one it is advisable to contact the African Snakebite Institute to remove it.

For more information on snake removals in your area visit Snakebite’s website at www.africansnakebiteinstitute.com or contact Shawn on 072 691 2521.