{"id":186277,"date":"2018-09-11T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-09-11T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/186277\/exotic-animals-and-conquered-fears-at-reptile-expo\/"},"modified":"2018-09-14T12:37:40","modified_gmt":"2018-09-14T10:37:40","slug":"exotic-animals-and-conquered-fears-at-reptile-expo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2018\/09\/11\/exotic-animals-and-conquered-fears-at-reptile-expo\/","title":{"rendered":"Exotic animals and conquered fears at reptile expo"},"content":{"rendered":"

SaveMe Reptile and Exotics Rescue\u2019s Reptile Convention took place over the weekend at Majestic Nursery in Lambton.<\/p>\n

The two-day reptile expo showcased amazing creatures from bearded dragons to hairless rats.<\/p>

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Present were breeders and owners of the exotic animals, with thrilling stories about their love for the creepy crawlies.<\/p>\n

Founder of SaveMe, Ilonka Nel, rehabilitates unwanted, abused and neglected animals at her centre.<\/p>

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She has since found that the expo is a great platform to help people conquer their fears related to reptiles by teaching them about the animals.<\/p>\n

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Idan Karp made it to SaveMe Reptile and Exotics Rescue\u2019s Reptile Convention last Saturday with his tenrecs Tina (left) and Mr T (right).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

ALSO READ:\u00a0Learn all about reptiles and exotic animals at convention<\/a><\/h4>\n

The convention organisers also urge community members to learn more about the SPCA, and how they could help make a difference in an animal\u2019s life.<\/p>\n

Denis Quick from United Reptiles told the GCN all about dried mealworms and how they offer animals an all-natural high-protein source of nutrition and how the trend was becoming popular among human beings too.<\/p>\n

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Shawn Hefer is upping his daily protein intake by eating mealworms at SaveMe Reptile and Exotics Rescue\u2019s Reptile Convention.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cMealworms are becoming popular in some households as a protein supplement added to cereals or shakes,\u201d said Denis.<\/p>\n

Whether you like your source of protein in the form of worms or cockroaches, Denis, SaveMe, Shawn Hefer and his wife Angelique had the answers to every reptile and protein-related question.<\/p>\n

In celebration of Arbor Week, Grow-A-Tree sponsored two yellow wood trees to SaveMe.<\/p>\n

The national trees were planted on each day of the convention with the help of attendees.<\/p>\n

Each expo attendee got to leave their mark by writing their names or a message on a white rock placed around the planted tree as a border.<\/p>\n

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A boa constrictor wraps itself around Deakin Blade’s body and peeps through his T-shirt.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

ALSO READ:\u00a0Don\u2019t miss the Reptile Expo<\/a><\/h4>\n

Shawn, the founder of Reptile and Wildlife Rescue (RAWR), did not shy away from the snake bites of the various yellow pythons on display.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe snakes are more afraid of you than you are of them.<\/p>\n

\u201cSnakes only attack when they feel threatened and most people are afraid of snakes because of misconceptions and non-factual information,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

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