Local children enjoy a day of adventure with reptiles - Chico Enterprise-Record

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CHICO — Nine-year-old Jacobie Edwards couldn’t help but smile as the three-foot ball python wrapped around his neck.

“It feels like a scarf is moving on my neck,” he said.

Similar to Edwards, many young reptile lovers were in awe Saturday afternoon at the selection of animals offered during Nor Cal Reptile Adventures’ grand opening. In addition to handling snakes, children were able to interact with turtles, lizards, tortoises and the main attraction: Calvin, a Burmese python that’s close to 50 pounds and over 12 feet long.

Owner David Huff called the experience a “mini field trip” for the kids and their families.

Huff and his wife Kenni were forced to postpone the grand opening for nearly three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Jacobie Edwards, 9, Logan Clark, 11, and Carter Garcia, 7, hold a burmese python at Nor Cal Reptile Adventure's grand opening Saturday in Chico. (Mathew Miranda -- Enterprise-Record)

• Gavin Gilmore, 10, Amelia Lingemann, 5, and Andrew Lingemann, 5, look at turtles during Nor Cal Reptile Adventure's grand opening Saturday in Chico.(Mathew Miranda -- Enterprise-Record)

• Carter Garica, 7, reaches out to a burmese python at Nor Cal Reptile Adventure's grand opening Saturday in Chico.(Mathew Miranda -- Enterprise-Record)

• Marley Daily, 2, reaches out to touch a tortoise at Nor Cal Reptile Adventure's grand opening Saturday in Chico.(Mathew Miranda -- Enterprise-Record)

However, they used the extra time to further their expertise of the business which consists of selling feeder mice, rats and insects and offering reptiles for birthday parties and school visits.

Neither David nor Kenni had any experience in the reptile world before January.

They credit all their newfound knowledge to family friend and Chico icon Ron Greenberg.

“He trained us, taught us everything we know,” Kenni Huff said.

Greenberg, the 15-year owner of Ron’s Reptiles, retired in late January after about 60 years of experience in breeding and caring for reptiles. Hoping to leave the community with a reliable reptile business, Greenberg reached out to the Huffs and offered to sell them much of his equipment and animals at a reduced price.

“We didn’t have any intention of doing this,” David Huff said.

Nowadays, the Huffs have fully immersed themselves in the reptile business and eventually plan on expanding their supplies and facilities.

“Reptile folks are cool,” David Huff said.

Edwards, who also fed tortoises lettuce and held bearded dragons Saturday, seems to agree.

The young boy has owned two corn snakes for just over a year and watches daily videos of reptile breeders on YouTube.

“They’re fun and slithery,” Edwards said.

Nor Cal Reptile Adventures volunteer and longtime snake owner Scott White said reptiles serve as good pets and give kids more of a “handling animal” to care for.

He added that, despite the stigmas, many snakes are docile and can be a convenient beginner pet for children.

“You got dogs, cats, birds and pet reptiles are another cool animal and there’s so much to learn about them,” White said.

Located at 5050 Cohasset Road, Ste. 50, the business is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.Saturdays.

Along with feeder animals, pet rats, geckos and bearded dragons are available for sale.

For more information on Nor Cal Reptile Adventures, visit its Facebook page or call 893-2095.

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