When I found myself in St. Paul last week for professional development, I was excited to see that my classroom for the day was just down the block from Twin Cities Reptiles. I recognized the name from our rat snake's paperwork. Emory came to the Museum through this specialty reptile store.
I ate a quick bite during our lunch break, leaving plenty of time to check out the pet store. My eyes were wide as I marveled at the variety of water dishes and plastic plants stocked on their shelves. They had everything you would need to care for reptiles! After daydreaming about redressing our herp exhibits, I made my way to the back of the store. This space was dark except for rows of brightly lit terrariums lining the walls.
There were baby ball pythons and bearded dragons, but my favorite non-native reptile really caught my eye. A case of small chameleons was brightly lit and the longer I looked, the more swiveling eyes I spotted.
This unique reptile is perhaps best known for the ability to change color. Like our native Gray Tree Frogs, chameleon color doesn't change to blend in with the background. The color change is rather driven by mood, temperature, humidity, or changes in light.
I soon had to tear myself away from the delightful group of green chameleons, happy that I got to see Emory's origin store, find a new resource for snake supplies, and ogle at one of my favorite reptiles.
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