SHOW NOTES
This week the guys talk all about Chris’ Nature Center and what you need to do to have something similar. Get ready to go wild in this all animal episode!
Highlights:
- Great for marketing (everybody loves the animals)
- Check state regulations and licenses (every state is different)
- Research ahead of time like crazy (Chris learned that armadillos carry leprosy)
- Reptiles are easy (easy to feed and easy to take care of)
- Mammals smell (must change bedding often)
- Never get a Guinea Pig (too much pooping)
- It’s all about the touch (they can go to a zoo to see, you need to bring the petting)
- Memorize at least 5 COOL facts per animal (so you can easily recite those facts)
- Something that can’t be seen just at the pet store (if they can pick it up there, your nature center won’t be that cool)
- Go to shows to get them (better prices and more knowledgeable people)
- Name them all and make a sign about them (kids love to know the animals names)
- Adopt an Animal Program (this will help cover some costs as well as give parents something to share with their friends)
Websites where you can find animals for the nature center:
- exoticanimalsforsale.net (where Chris got his fox and possum)
- undergroundreptiles.com
- backwaterreptiles.com
- reptilesncritters.com
Tools of the Week (Favorite Video)
- Curt (this week he picked more than 1)
- Chris:
- Neature Walk (Great for Outdoor Ed)
HOSTS
CURT JACKSON
CHRIS KALLAL
Thanks for sharing! We have a Nature Lodge, but we do not have animals currently. I was wondering if you know of any resources to rent animals for the summer. We do not have the staff to care for the animals year-round. Please let me know!
I have not heard of any place to rent. But I totally like that idea!!!
I wonder if a farm would let you “borrow”/rent goats for the summer provided you take care of food and such.
Also, you might be able to work something out with a local pet store as this would get kids interested in animals too and then have the pet store as a place to purchase those animals from.