Frequently Asked Quesssssstions

Q: How long does a presentation last?
A: Approximately 1 hour. It really depends on the audience. Some groups have a dozen questions per animal, others are more reserved and prefer to just sit and take everything in. We are not “clock watchers” so we will ensure that all of the animals offered are demonstrated and we fulfill the obligations set out with the booking. Sometimes a party may end up being 45 minutes another may be 90.

Q: What is the appropriate age for Reptile Parties?
A: Reptile Parties are great from preschool to high school! We design our program to match the age group that we are presenting to.

Q: My child already has a bearded dragon and a corn snake as a pet but he would like to see some other reptiles. What do you bring?
A: The first question I ask when someone books a party is “do you have any reptiles at home.” This is because I want to make sure the presentation offers something new and exciting. If you already have a certain type of animal in your home, I will bring different types then what you have. With access to more than three-dozen animals, we can ensure your event has a wide selection of fascinating creatures.

Q: How much room do I need?
A: As long as there is room for everyone to sit down, you are great! Stairs, chairs and the living room floor are all suitable place for kids to sit. You do not need a lot of space. We do ask that you provide a chair and/or table for the presentation.

Q: I am scared of snakes but I think my child would like to see some reptiles. Do you have to bring the snake?
A: No, the parties are designed for what will be best compatible with you. Some children are fascinated by snakes and bored by lizards, so we would just bring a selection of snakes to talk about. Some people intensely dislike spiders, we aren’t going to bring a tarantula to party that it isn’t wanted at. During the booking process we will discuss options and availability and come up with something that will leave everyone entertained and educated.

Q: Is it messy?
A: Reptiles are usually quite clean. Snakes especially only go to the bathroom once a week! In the unlikely event of something landing on your floor (its more likely to land on your presenter!) some paper towel and water will take care of it.

Q: Is that poisonous?
A: No animal is poisonous. Some animals have venom, including some snakes and lizards, but none of these are included in a Reptile Party presentation or are legal within Alberta. Sometimes we may have available invertebrates like scorpions, centipedes or tarantulas that may have mild venom. These animals are used as a display only demonstration and there are no hands on experiences with them for that reason.

Q: Can you bring a giant python or crocodile to the party? That would be cool.
A: Reptile Parties follow legislation from Fish and Wildlife and the Government of Alberta. Animals like crocodilians, giant pythons, and venomous snakes are not legal and unavailable for these events.

Q: Do any of the animals bite?
A: Any animal with teeth can bite, whether it is a kitten or a lizard. It is highly unlikely that any of our animals would bite anyone, and we do take extra precautions with hands-on opportunities such as only petting on the back and tail and not near the head to avoid antagonizing the animals. That said, there is a slim possibility it could happen, if for some reason it did, it would be no worse than a scratch from a cat or a bite from a mouse or hamster. Not fun, but a rinse out and a band-aid would be sufficient.

Q: What if it escapes in my house?
A: All of the animals are in secure containers when they are brought to your home, and taken out one at a time for presentation before being returned to the container. Any animals that may come that would be too fast to catch should they jump are left in the clear container for viewing purposes and not removed. Any other animals, should they attempt to wander, can quickly be retrieved.

Q: My child is obsessed with reptiles and wants a party, but I don’t want them in my house. What can I do?
A: We can respect that some people may not understand the appeal of (really friendly and awesome) reptiles and be squeamish. There are several facilities available for booking for parties and events such as community halls, churches, party rooms at various establishments, etc. If you do book an alternative venue from your home, please make sure they are ok with having reptiles on site. We do not take responsibility if the venue will not allow us to present, and you will be responsible to pay for the party in the event that it is cancelled by the venue.

Q: I’d like you to bring the big boa constrictor, but you said she was unavailable. Why?
A: Our number one priority is the health and care of our reptiles. There can be any number of reasons why an animal may not be available – snakes may have had a meal the night before, may be in shed (and thus grumpy), preparing to have babies, or already attended parties throughout the week (we don’t want to stress the animals out!) We have access to nearly three-dozen animals through our own collection and other reptile enthusiasts so we can promise you a great time and a great variety of animals.

Q: Do I tip?
A: That is entirely up to you. We do encourage tipping if your presenter does a great job, as we are sure they will!

Q: I live just outside of Calgary and would love to have you at a birthday party/school/scout troop. Do you do presentations outside of Calgary?
A: Absolutely!!!! We will be glad to visit towns like Cochrane, Airdrie, Okotoks, Chestermere, High River, and the surrounding area. Please be aware that due to gas prices there will be a small surcharge to cover travel, which will be dependant on the cost of fuel at the time of booking.

Q: I just don’t have time to take care of my corn snake/bearded dragon/other reptile. Will you buy it?
A: No. At Calgary Reptile Parties we promote responsible reptile ownership for its entire life. “Not having the time” is not a valid reason for giving up your animal. It did not choose you you chose it. We understand that sometimes there are valid reasons for having to surrender your animal. On rare occasions we may consider adopting an animal, but this is not likely and we will not pay to rescue an unwanted animal.

Q: We would like to include a donation to a non-profit organization as part of our party and we would like it reptile themed. What do you suggest?
A: Your generosity in wanting to help animals is appreciated. There are a few options. You could donate to The Alberta Reptile and Amphibian Society (TARAS) (www.albertareptilesociety.org) which is a non profit organization that promotes education, as well as sponsors two show & sales per year, one in the spring and one in the fall. They in turn recently launched a program (The TARAS Education and Research Initiative) that will support other programs. Another option is to donate to the Calgary Humane Society, (http://www.calgaryhumanesociety.com/) which does have a reptile room as part of its program. Finally, the Calgary Zoo (www.calgaryzoo.org) is also is constantly seeking funds for conservation projects.