Abbotsford children, possibly to their parents' dismay, once again have the opportunity to see, touch and learn about all sorts of tarantulas, giant lizards and snakes.

Abbotsford's Reptile Guy, Mike Hopcraft, is hosting the grand opening of his new education centre tomorrow after being forced to shut down his long-time animal rescue operation last February due to a cash crunch and changes to provincial exotic animal laws.

Hopcraft's new location meets all the new regulations, so he can continue displaying his cold-blooded menagerie to the public, host education seminars and care for abandoned or surrendered reptiles.

"We're good to go," said Hopcraft, adding his new rescue and education facility features a nocturnal room, walk-in tortoise pen, 1,400-gallon turtle pond and much more.

The nocturnal room, lit by red light, is filled with frogs, lizards, geckos and tarantulas, which are more active and easier to see in the simulated night environment.

Especially cool are the scorpions, which when exposed to black light, glow bright yellow in the dark.

Then there is the loving and gentle Dozer, Hopcraft's 35-pound tortoise, who gets around his pen with surprising speed and has a perpetually green moustache from his diet of greens.

Dozer's roommate Brute, a four and half foot long monitor lizard, is slower moving and rather docile.

Another colourful character at the centre is Slash, a handsome, large green iguana who is actually a fiery orange.

In addition to displaying his reptiles, Hopcraft has also set up a small supply store that will sell specialized equipment, feeder insects and live and frozen rodents.

"I know . . . I'm in a weird business," he said.

Funds from the new centre and store will allow Hopcraft to continue the rescue and care of unwanted reptiles.

It also allows him a great vehicle to educate people about the scaly beasts in an interactive way, and teach visitors which reptiles may or may not make great pets.

"It's always been a hands-on approach," said Hopcraft.

"I like to let people touch them. People learn more when they are interactive with the animals."

- The Reptile Guy's Rescue and Education Center (Unit 7 - 34366 Forrest Terrace) is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cash-only admission is $5 for children four and up, $7 for adults and $20 for a family pass (two children and two adults).

See more at reptileguy.ca.

RBaker@abbotsfordtimes.com

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