The Exotic Animal Training and Management program is the current home to four new reptiles that can now be adopted and seen soon at the upcoming Spring Spectacular.
Second year students of the EATM program, Byron Wusstig and Sarah Cole, have been working with the reptiles throughout their training, and are excited to have the new critters around. Although some of the new reptiles are still in quarantine, away from the other animals two of them, a tarantula and lizard, have been assigned students, given to a student who is responsible for the animal’s care.
The Chilean Rose-haired tarantula, Charlotte, much like the Argentine Tegu Lizard, Maximus, have been donated to the program; Maximus came from a breeder who raised him in captivity in Alabama.
“Most of the animals come to us because they couldn’t be suited elsewhere,” said Wusstig. With over 150 different animals and more than 90 species, the animals that come into the program are often ones that have been purchased on impulse by people who are unaware of the animal’s capabilities and needs. The animals also come from zoos, pet shops, and mostly rescue organizations.
We purchase the animals young, to make sure they are raised right,” said Cole.
The animal assignments are done on a point system based on the student’s grades, attendance, and volunteer work with the animals. Reptiles are a little different because when they arrive it is a general assignment that everyone is responsible for.
These new reptiles, Maximus and Charlotte, are now part of the Adopt-An-Animal program at EATM. Many do not know about this program, but according to Zoo Operations Instructional Lab Technician and graduate of EATM, Mara Rodriguez, the program has been around for over 20 years.
“It has become popular for gifts, as people are beginning to think outside the box,” said Rodriguez.
Each animal has a different price based on their total cost each year. For example, the Tegu lizard requires a total of $200 in board and feed each year to survive. When adopting an animal, a person will receive a picture of the animal, adoption certificate, fact sheet, and the chance to visit once a month. If you are interested in adopting any of the animals at EATM or have any questions, contact America’s Teaching Zoo at (805) 378-1441.
