Scales And Tails Utah | Blog

August Workshop - Caring for Sick Animals

Scales and Tails is taking a field trip this month!  Our public workshop will be held at the Wasatch Exotic’s Vet Clinic.  Dr. Laurel M. Harris, our vet, is  graciously allowing us to come in to her facility to learn about how to care for our sick reptiles.  After we learn a few things about what to do when our pets get sick, we will get to take a tour behind the scenes of the veterinary clinic.  We’ll see where they test our animals for parasites, where they perform surgery, and a few other cool things!  (Parents - we must have at least one adult present for your family group to help with supervision.  Thank you for your help with this!) We’ll also bring along a couple of Scales and Tails superstars to hold and touch in case we need to split the group up in to smaller groups during the tour.  Bring your friends, family and neighbors because this will be good!

We will meet at Wasatch Exotics at 7pm on Wednesday, August 18th. It is located at 1892 E. Fort Union Blvd., Cottonwood Heights.  Please be prompt.

Cost: $5/child
Reptile Rookies: FREE

RSVP to: info@scalesandtailsutah.com

Ask me how to become a Reptile Rookie!  rindy@scalesandtailsutah.com

Balloons and Boas!!

This month we focused on everybody’s favorite snakes… the Boa!  Shane taught us all about different kinds of boas like the Kenyan Sand Boa, the Common Boa Constrictor, the Dumerils Boa, the Rosie Boa, the Anaconda (yes they are boas!), and even the Rubber boa which is found right here in Utah!  We got to hold a whole bunch of snakes and then Shane had a cool balloon lady come in and make us some balloon boas (and other things.. including a vacuum!) that we could take home with us!  Check it out:

There are more pictures of this on Facebook. Check it out at: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/album.php?aid=33482&id=100000215269470&ref=mf

July’s Workshop - Boas!!!

This month’s workshop will be on everybody’s favorite snakes… BOAS!It will be held on Wednesday, July 14th at 6:30pm.

Boas come in all different shapes and sizes. The worlds heaviest snake is the “Water Boa” also called the ANACONDA. Did you know that we have boas that are local to Utah? They live in our mountains are are called the Rubber Boa. Do you know the difference between Boas and Pythons? Come to the workshop to at find out!

At this public workshop you will get to learn about and touch boas. We even have a baby anaconda that you will get to meet named “Bejos”! The activity will involve some creativity with balloon animals. You won’t want to miss it cause it will be a blast!

When: Wednesday, July 14th @ 6:30pm

Where: Scales & Tails Showroom - 152 W. Burton Ave., (2360 S.), Ste. F, SLC, UT Time: 6:30pm

Cost: $5/per child

Reptile Rookies: FREE

Ask us about our Reptile Rookie Program!

The Hare Won!

This was a really fun night.  First we got to see the inside of a tortoise shell. We learned that, No, the tortoise cannot walk out of his shelf.   We learned that boy tortoises have an indented bottom shell and the girl tortoises have a flat bottom shell.   We learned that you can’t count the rings on a tortoise’s shell to figure out the age, but we did learn that they do add rings to their shells while they are growing.  We got to pet a Redfoot Tortoise, a Pancake tortoise, and a Sulcata Tortoise and see the different textures, sizes and shapes each have.  Then we played!

Last year we raced the Redfoot Tortoises and the Hare on our Chelonian Night and the Tortoises Won!!  Well the Hare was upset so he decided that he wanted a rematch this year.   Low and behold…. the Hare won, both races this year!

After all those races, the tortoises were hungry, so we learned how to make the the proper salad for each type of tortoise.  Finally, we cracked open the tortoise eggs that had not hatched from quite a few months ago.  Sadly, there was nothing inside but a stinky yolk.  Oh well, maybe next time!  Overall, it was a fun night!  I’m excited for next month!  See you then!

Tortoises, Turtles, Tarapins…..

Public Reptile Workshop!!  Check it out:

JUNE 23rd @ 6:30pm

This month we are focusing on Chelonians!!  For those of you who are new to the reptile world, Chelonians are Turtles, Tortoises, and Tarapins.  These are truly amazing creatures and we are going to take a closer look at where they live, what they eat and whether or not they can really come out of their shells!  Also, We will be cracking open the eggs that the Redfoot’s laid last fall.  (They are long over due for hatching).  We’ve got some other ideas in mind as well so you won’t want to miss it!

When: Wednesday, June 23 @ 6:30pm
Where: Scales and Tails Showroom, 152 W. Burton Ave., Ste. F, SLC, UT
Cost: $5/child (parents free with paid child admission)
Reptile Rookies: FREE

Please RSVP to shane@scalesandtailsutah.com

Ask us how to be come a Reptile Rookie!

Price Increase and New Show Options

Hello Reptile Fans!

As of June 15th Scales and Tails will offer four new and/or upgraded party packages!  The pricing will be a bit different as well.  All parties (regardless of the date) booked prior to June 15th will still be honored at price given at time of booking.  Please check out the new packages below:

“Teaser Show” -  is a 30 minute show where we bring a crocodilian skull, and 6 small to medium reptiles (with at least one from each of the reptilian taxa).  The finale will be a snake between 6-8 ft. There is 15 minutes of animal handling after the show.  The price will be $150.

“The Medium Show” – is a 45 minute show with 15 minutes of animal handling after wards. We bring creepy crawlies (spiders & scorpions) and 8 reptiles which includes a giant lizard and a giant python.  The price will be $225.

“The Large Show” – is a 45 minute show with 15 minutes of animal handling afterward. We bring creepy crawlies (spiders & scorpions), lizards, tortoises, and snakes for a total of 10 animals. There are three finale animals: a baby alligator, a giant tortoise and a giant snake. The price will be $250

“The Toddler Show” - This new show is being catered to children 4 years old and younger. This will be a 30 minute touch and hold session with 5 very “nice” reptiles and a crocodillian skull.  Your Reptile Guide will entertain the children with funny stories and jokes about each reptile and will also let the children see the animals walk and move on the ground. This show is completely hands on. The price will be $125

Travel Fee - There is a travel fee for all shows booked outside the Salt Lake Valley.  Call for details.

Add-ons - Additional animals and creepy crawlies can be added on to each show.  Call for details.

Gone Loco with Local Lizards!

Last month we had one of the coolest nights ever.  Scales and Tails’ Jeremy Westerman presented a workshop on the lizards native to Utah.  After the presentation we all got to learn how to catch a lizard with a stick and  piece of dental floss.  First we practiced on plasic lizards until we got the hang of it.  Then Jeremy put some REAL LIVE lizards in a small swimming pool and we each got a chance to try to catch them.  After we each at scored a lizard, Jeremy put in some bigger, an a bit more angry, lizards into the pool.  We learned how to noose them, then how to properly pick them up so that they would not bite us.  It was SO COOl!  Afterwards, we all go to take our lizard catchers home and a bag of fake lizards so we could keep practicing on our own.  I had so much fun!  I can’t wait for next month’s workshop.  I hear it is on Turtles and Tortoises!

May Workshop - Local Lizards

This month we are going loco on Local Lizards!!!  Scales and Tails’ Jeremy Westerman is an expert on lizards found locally here in Utah.  He has collected quite a few local lizards over the past couple months and is excited to teach us all about these cool lizards!  We are even going to practice catching real live lizards!!

You won’t want to miss this workshop!  Bring your friends and neighbors! Come out to the Scales and Tails showroom and get ready for adventure!!

DATE: Wednesday, May 19th

TIME: 6:30pm

PLACE: 152 W Burton Ave, Ste. F, SLC, UT

COST: $5/child (adults free with child admission)

REPTILE ROOKIES: FREE

Venom Night Recap

Venom night was a great night!  We started out the night with some great information from serpentologist, Shane Provostgaard, about what venomous animals we have right here in Utah and how to avoid them.  After Shane’s presentation, we took a break to check out the cool displays brought by both Living Safari pet store and the Reptile Rescue.  The displays included many venomous animals including a Gila Monster, Rattlesnakes, a Vine snake, and a couple poisonous spiders and scorpions.  After the break we learned about what to do if we are bitten or stung by a venomous animal by Dr. Scott Martial of the Utah Poison Control.  Check out the pictures below:

VENOM NIGHT 2010

Scales and Tails will be hosting the second annual Venom Night on Wednesday, April 21st at 7pm.  This workshop will be held at Wheeler Farm in the Barn building.  This workshop is open to the public. 

The focus of this workshop is to educate the public about the venomous animals that live right here in Utah in our backyards, mountains, and deserts.  Shane Provostgaard and a representative from the Utah Poison Control Center will be there to teach us about how to avoid these venomous animals and what to do if you do get bit.   Jim Dix with the Reptile Rescue and Jill Weeks with the Living Safari Pet Store will be there to exhibit some venomous animals many of which are local to Utah.

This is a great event for families and we invite all to come and learn about our local venomous animals.

Cost: $5/child, $7/adult (16 yrs and older)

REPTILE ROOKIE MEMBERS: FREE

Contact us at 801-577-7182 or info@scalesandtailsutah.com for more details.

Tags: Cobra, Jim Dix, Lizards, Rattlesnake, Reptile Rescue, Scales & Tails, Scales And Tails, Scorpions, Shane Richins, Snakes, Utah, Utah Poison Control, Venomous, Vine Snake, Wheeler Farm