The Critter Keeper provides memorable entertainment, education, and reinforcement of traditional values to children of all ages through “bug”-themed birthday parties, classroom presentations, and other venues where children can be introduced to critters. Kids love meeting Julius and Cleo, the albino Burmese python and boa constrictor; Flash and/or Skid, the iguanas; Mr. Beasley, the large Australian Bearded Dragon; Clyde, the Savannah Monitor; Rosy, the Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula, as well as other reptiles and arthropods from all over the world. Entertaining and exciting, surprising and sometimes a little scary, the Critter Keeper will captivate your children with interesting facts, entertaining stories, appropriate life applications, and of course, all his critter sidekicks.

You’ve had the magicians and clowns; are you ready for the Critter Keeper?

“Bug-day” Parties

The Critter Keeper will come to your home or other venue and bring his critters with him! We’ll park Cleo in an artificial tree and let the fun begin!! If you watch closely, you may see a magic trick or two, or even something more amazing!!! Let us know if you need any of our Critter Keeper invitations showing some of our “party animals!” Any child who loves animals should invite the Critter Keeper at least once!

Churches and Youth Groups

There are some beautiful parallels between the critters and the Christian walk. We can also incorporate the message into private birthday parties upon request. Whether it be camouflage, mimicry, newness of life, and dealing with fear, the Critter Keeper uses the more under-appreciated denizens of God’s Creation to make a memorable event for Church Youth Groups, Sunday School Classes, Vacation Bible School, and other youth activities.

Scouts and Schools

There is excitement in the air when the Critter Keeper comes to a classroom or scouting event! The Critter Keeper uses word stems, science, math, geography, history, patriotism, and character education during his presentation to show how no subject stands alone. A Sixth Grade Science teacher at Mauldin Middle School wrote: “Thank you for visiting our classroom last Friday to kick off our unit on animals. Your critter friends were very cooperative and gentle, even convincing some fearful students that scaly crawlers have merit and even entertainment value. You did a wonderful job of incorporating other subject matter into your presentation as well. As you will see from all the enclosed letters, our team was very impressed by your knowledge and dedication to your craft. You had my students on the edge of their seats, begging for more! If only our lesson plans could be as captivating - every day!” Ms. Beach at the League Academy of Communication Arts wrote: “League Academy’s Sixth Grade loves the Critter Keeper! Healthy animals and tied perfectly into our animal standards! Great demonstrations and holds the kids’ interest! Thank you, Critter Keeper!”

Rent-A-Critter

Actually, we don’t rent critters. We take them all home when we’re done! But… Hollywood take note…if you need something for film or photos, we might make an exception!

The Critters (January 2010)

Reptiles include:
@Julius Squeezer, albino Burmese Python (9′)
@Cleo, Colombian Red-tailed Boa Constrictor (5 1/2′)
@Sloo, Sonoran Gopher Snake (5 1/2′)
@Cobb, Corn Snake, (3′+)
Leche, Pueblan Milk Snake (1′)
Flash, Green Iguana
#Clyde, Savannah Monitor
#Mr. Beasley, Bearded Dragon
#Otis, Mali Spiny-tailed Dab Lizard
#Nigel, Niger Spiny-tailed Dab Lizard
#Charlotte, Indonesian Blue-Tongued Skink
Mara, Leopard Gecko
Gladys, Crested Gecko
Tom and/or Jerry, Flying Gecko
Jackson, Mediterranean Gecko
Hector, Eastern Box Turtle

Amphibians include:
Mack, Fire-Bellied Toad

Bugs include:
Chilean Rosehair Tarantula, Guyana Pink-Toed Tarantula, Emperor Scorpion, Vinegaroon, Asian Giant Centipede (!), Black Widow(!), Madagascar Hissing Cockroach.

@-Indicates a critter that can be held and touched at the discretion of the Critter Keeper.
# -Indicates a critter that can be touched at the discretion of the Critter Keeper.
! -Indicates a critter that will not be removed from its container.

Critter Keeper Rules For Getting and Keeping a Pet

Whether or not you invite the Critter Keeper, we hope you follow these rules:

1. Never get an animal unless everyone in the household agrees.

2. Do your homework and research to make sure you can take care of the animal properly. Find out how big it is going to get, what it needs to eat, and temperature and humidity requirements. Become an expert on the animal before you get it!

3. Commit to taking care of the animal for the rest of its natural life. You can’t rely on someone being willing to adopt it, and the zoo is probably not going to want it.

4. Never release a non-native animal into the wild.

5. Wash your hands after handling or petting your animal, and after cleaning its enclosure.