HUTTO – The largest known gecko can grow to over a foot long, but when they are young, they will sit nicely in the palm of your hand.
Jason Miller believes more people would enjoy having a pet Leachianus gecko and watching them grow if they had the opportunity to get to know them first.
He opened Amazing Animal Adventures Exotic Pet Shop in November to share his love of unusual pets.
“Any animal can love you. They all have varying degrees of personalities,” Miller said. “Some are drastically easier to care for than a cat or dog. Like housing requirements, feed, not having to be home all day long to let out or whatever. And it lets you explore different aspects of the natural world.”
The pet-shop owner, who has lived in many different areas, said he always found himself at home in a pet store.
“It was definitely a lifelong dream to open an exotic pet store. I was always seeking out pet stores to see what they offered and see their unique qualities,” Miller said.
His shop is stocked with snakes, lizards, tortoises and birds while Miller waits for a permit to also offer small mammals. Soon customers will be able to come to him for sugar gliders, hedgehogs and ferrets, he added.
The store offers a full line of supplies from housing enclosures to bedding, sticks and cork and feeders, books, electronics and toys as well as Miller’s expert advice on how to keep pets healthy.
“I’ve been keeping animals at least 30 years … I’m happy to walk through what the ideal pet for your scenario looks like. Not just selection but lighting, feeding, heating – I’m happy to explore all those things with you,” he said, adding he is also ready to help first timers.
Miller’s location in a growing business center is helping people get to know him.
“Being here in this plaza, we get people coming to look at antiques or going to grab a beer and they pop in,” he said. “Even if they don’t want to own it but they’ve always wanted to touch a lizard or a gecko or see somebody else hold a snake and find that they’re not these crazy deadly animals.”
Animal “ambassadors” at the store include a veiled chameleon; Sunny, a green-cheeked conure (a parokeet); and an albino pied ball python that is a favorite among the kids.
“We’re trying to reinvent what a pet store is like. We definitely have a different vibe than other pet stores,” Miller said. “Very welcoming. You can get animals out, you can hold them.”
Interacting with children is a favorite part of Miller’s job.
“I love having kids coming in and wanting to talk about reptiles.” he said.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 3-7 p.m. Sunday.
AMAZING ANIMAL ADVENTURES EXOTIC PET SHOP
3333 CR 119, Suite 14, Hutto • For more, call 888-413-9684, email [email protected] or follow instagram.com/amazing_animal_adventures_tx
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