Best Pet Shops For Reptile Owners In Chicago
Instead of a dog, cat, bird or fish, you or a pet lover in your household is attracted to snakes, lizards, turtles or other kinds of reptile. You are not alone with a fascination of reptiles. The American Pet Products Association's 2015-16 Pet Owners Survey showed that there are 9.3 million reptile owners in 4.9 million households. In the Chicago area, the question is where can reptile owners find the supplies they need to keep their pets happy and healthy? Metropolitan Chicago spreads across five counties, therefore, the five listed shops were chosen by location to help reptile owners in different areas and by knowledgeable staff.
Chicago Reptile House
14410 John Humphrey Drive
Orland Park, IL 60462
(708) 349-9055
www.chicagoreptile.net
Chicago Reptile House in south west-suburban Orland Park is owned by former marines Jeff Lodico and Brian Potter. They opened it in 1993 following extensive research and obtaining best advice from experts. You can find everything you need here from cages and cage decorations to feeders, snake handling items and proper temperature tools and advice. The pair is so into pets they now have Chicago Bird House and the Chicago Fish and Coral Company.
Animal Island Pets
14411 S. Cicero Ave.
Midlothian, IL 60445
(708) 293-0600
www.animalislandpets.com
Animal Island Pets is a family-owned shop in south suburban Midlothian. The friendly staff will work with you on your reptile's needs ranging from light to bedding. They take the time to talk to you about things you might not have considered, such as vitamins and a hiding nook in the cage or tank. You might even find a reptile you hadn't considered, such as a veiled chameleon or bearded dragon.
The Animal Store
4364 W. Touhy Ave.
Lincolnwood, IL 60712
(847) 675-5133
theanimalstore.wordpress.com/
In business since 1992, The Animal Store is a feel-good neighborhood pet shop where knowledgeable staff share info about the care and feeding of reptiles. If you're just getting into reptile ownership, ask about current deals. In December, the shop was offering a free leopard gecko to customers who bought the $125 set-up needed. The store carries a wide range of reptiles from chameleons to uromastyx lizards which are primarily herbivorous and will eat bird seed.
Curious Creatures
4131 N. Broadway Ave.
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 698-8333
www.curiouscreaturesllc.com
Curious Creatures in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood is the perfect place to go if not sure what size cage you need and if you didn't even know that temperature is important to reptiles. Co-owners Alison Pelletier and Andy Babbitt are good with advice on which reptile to buy if just starting out and they're an excellent resource on the care of an existing reptile. They started the shop because they had a hard time finding the feeders and supplies they need for their collections. They suggest beginners start small because there will be less maintenance to worry about and that larger reptiles can be too aggressive for a new reptile owner. The shop specializes in tortoises, lizards and snakes.
Park Pet Shop
10429 S. Kedzie Ave.
Chicago, IL 60655
(773) 779-2011
www.parkpetshop.com
Park Pet Shop in the Mount Greenwood neighborhood (near Beverly) has a wide range of reptiles from snakes to toads and just about everything in between. The shop sometimes carries more exotic reptiles, so call if you have something specific in mind. Owned by the Sparks family since 1968, the staff knows how important environment is for healthy reptiles. So check with them on lighting, humidity and food. The shop carries and recommends Zoo Med Laboratories products.
Jodie Jacobs is a veteran journalist who loves writing about Chicago, art, theater, museums and travel. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
