Paws, Claws and Curiosity

Looking for a fun way to connect with animals in the Susquehanna River Valley?

In this episode of Explore the SRV, we’re highlighting some of the region’s most memorable animal attractions. From friendly alpacas at Country Vale Alpacas, and hands on experiences at Clyde Peeling's Reptiland, to up close wildlife encounters at T&D's Cats of the World, there are plenty of ways to spend time with furry, feathered and four-legged friends.

Whether you are planning a family outing or just love animals, this episode will give you plenty of ideas for your next visit to the SRV.

Explore the SRV with Lura Good! Learn more at www.VisitCentralPA.org. #ExploreSRV

Transcript

SPEAKER_02 0:01

Welcome back to another episode of Explore the SRV, the Susquehanna River Valley. I'm your host, Laura Good, and we are all about the animals this podcast. Joining me this month is Ian Nicewonder, zookeeper at Clyde Peelings Reptile Land. We have Pam Rosado from Countryvale Alpacas and Jennifer. I'm gonna butcher this. I apologize. I asked you before the podcast, Jennifer. It's Mative. Or Mative. Mative. Mative. I have Mativees that I was friends with growing up. So there you go. From TND's Cats of the World. Guys, welcome. Thank you. Thank you. Pleasure being here. Yes. Thanks for we hear scratching over there, uh, Ian. What's happening? We're starting with you.

SPEAKER_00 0:43

I do have some uh friends with me here today. So periodically throughout the podcast here, we'll have some friends join us.

SPEAKER_02 0:50

Okay, okay. Well, um, of course, we are here to talk about all things animals in the Susquehanna River Valley, which reptiles, alpacas, big cats. That wow, quite the difference. So, to start us off, um, you know what? Why don't we start with you, Jennifer? Um, share a quick overview of what TD's Cats of the World is.

SPEAKER_03 1:12

Sure. Uh, so T and D's we rescue wild animals, so we don't just have cats, we have a variety of other animals. We have about 300 mammals we care for. So there are the big cats, but then we all have wolves and bears, and then native species, um, some that can't be releasable um into the colours. Oh, okay. Okay, cool, cool, cool. Yeah, so then are you what you call, are you a rehabilitation center as well? Or no? Uh sort of. We do rehabilitate native species, uh, but our name main focus is to um is with providing permanent homes for the the rescued animals. Yeah. Excellent.

SPEAKER_02 1:45

And then what about you, Pam? You have those alpacas.

SPEAKER_01 1:48

Well, mine are kind of a mix. Some came from the uh breeders, and I do have some rescues as well.

SPEAKER_02 1:55

Okay, great.

SPEAKER_01 1:56

So it's it's a mix, and they are all boys, which um you need to have either boys or girls together. You can mix them.

SPEAKER_02 2:05

Oh, we're gonna come back to that.

SPEAKER_01 2:06

That's an interesting fun fact. Who knew? Yeah. Okay. So uh I currently have 11 boys and uh they're all very sociable.

SPEAKER_02 2:17

Excellent. And then Clyde Peelings. I feel like you're very well known as an accredited zoo specifically for reptiles.

SPEAKER_00 2:26

So that's kind of our big thing. Um, obviously, we are located in Allenwood PA. Um, we are an AZA accredited zoo that is obviously, as you said, highly specifically looking at reptiles as a whole. While we do have some other animals, um, like we have our bird aviary as well, the guests can walk through, feed the birds, um, some other animals. We have a couple mammals here and there that we'll use for specific shows, but for the most part, we're gonna be highly reptile focused. And most of our focus at the zoo is going to be primarily educating people because reptiles as a whole, they're not always touched on a lot in a lot of other zoological facilities. Mainly you see a lot of the things like your big cats, uh, a lot of your other mammals. Um, but generally, reptile collections aren't super prevalent in a lot of zoos. Now, some zoos may have a very good reptile collection, but a lot of zoos, it's on the smaller side. So, us being reptile specialized, we really want to push that education, especially trying to change a lot of people's minds, because sometimes people are a little bit afraid of reptiles, a little bit wary around them. So, really trying to change that public perception through education.

SPEAKER_02 3:34

Cool. Yeah. So just sitting in this room, there's quite the variety of animal attractions that you can visit right here in the Susquehanna River Valley. Um, why do you think each of your unique destinations are so special? And I'll turn it back over to you, Jennifer.

SPEAKER_03 3:52

I think you you just said it. Like we each are we specialize in something different. Yeah, which is really cool. Yeah, it's it's different than other areas. Um, like I don't is there another area that has like a right? I don't go anywhere. We don't go out much, but um yeah, I think that it make does make it very unique. And then not only, you know, are do you are we specialized in different areas, as people travel to each of the areas, they're likely to stop maybe some places place else, you know, to eat or shop or whatever. So they get to explore, you know, the Susquehanna River Valley a little even more.

SPEAKER_02 4:28

True. I mean, I mean, even coming from Allenwood down to Lewisburg, Lewisburg over to Sunbury, Sunbury, downriver. I mean, yeah, even the topographical difference between all the different spots that you exist in is kind of extraordinary. Really, really cool. Um, alpacas are neat. I feel like a lot of people are afraid of them though.

SPEAKER_01 4:48

Um they're a little intimidated at first because they are a bigger animal and they are exotic. Uh my alpacas have learned from each other to be very sociable, and if they behave, they get treats. So they're gonna they're not gonna be spitting on anybody because they want their treat. So they're food motivated. Um, but they're I I know a lot of other alpaca farmers, and they're not, you know, they don't like people as well. And they don't like being petted, but mine are very socialized to accept it if they're getting treats.

SPEAKER_02 5:25

I feel like all of us are willing to accept a lot of things if we're getting treats. I can be bribed. I absolutely can bribed. I don't know about you guys, but I can totally be bribed. Um, the education portion though, turning it back over to you, Ian, I I feel like that's really, really important when we're talking about all of the different animals you all have, because they're pretty misunderstood. I mean, alpacas, reptiles, big cats, and then even some Pennsylvania native species are incredibly misunderstood.

SPEAKER_00 5:53

Yes. Um, that is something I wanted to touch on a lot with the education, especially as far as reptiles, because I think a lot of that fear from people comes from not necessarily understanding something. Um, so whether you look at something like a dog or cat or other animals where people can say, Hey, I know how this animal's feeling, I know how to read this animal's body language, reptiles or a lot of other animals can be a little bit more cryptic with that. And I think some of that misunderstanding and just lack of knowledge is why a lot of people are more wary or kind of stay away from those things, because I see it a lot when people come into the zoo. The best thing to see is someone comes into the zoo is a little bit wary of those animals. You do a couple educational programs, talk to them one-on-one, they get up close in those personals or personal with those animals, and realize, hey, this isn't so bad. In fact, sometimes you'll see people turn right around and be like, oh, I'm afraid of snakes, and then go out saying, I'm thinking about getting a pet snake or something along those lines. So that's some of the most rewarding portion, I think, of our jobs is especially when you educate people on this aspect, that complete turnaround or people completely changing that mindset, the complete 180.

SPEAKER_02 6:59

That actually leads perfectly to my next question for any of you is kind of how can you tell what's a moment or a reaction when people come to visit any of your locations that you are like, oh, that person's having a memorable experience. Like, wow, this is impactful.

SPEAKER_01 7:18

I I think the best smiles, giggles, giggles and smiles when they're feeding and that their fuzzy noses touch their hands, and they realize they're not gonna get bit, they're not gonna be harmed by this available, but just the giggles from not only children, but procedure citizens. It's it's great. Oh, cool. I love it. And little children who are afraid to go in, I would never ever force anyone to go in if they're uncomfortable with it. But what gets me is when their child is comfortable enough to go in and a half hour later they don't want to leave. Oh, yeah. Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 7:55

That's they're like, no, I want to stay. Yeah, yeah, that's awesome. No, we're not petting cats or big cats at TNDs. Correct. Which I think that's a topic we could go on and on and on about, about animal like exotic animal encounters, and how we probably shouldn't be having those unless they're appropriate distanced, right?

SPEAKER_03 8:17

Yes, and some of that there's been regulations put in place now to which is great. Yeah, yeah. And and it depends on where you live, which state you live, and how they handle all that. Um, but I think you know, even that you can't get up and close and personal with a lot of the animals at TND's. Um, you know, you can get close in that our fencing is is close that you can see the animals um unlike some other bigger zoos. I know reptile and you guys get right up there with you know with with the way you guys are set up, which is great too to be able to see them. So you're you're like that as well. Um, but some of the bigger zoos, you know, you they're so far away. And I and we understand why it's because of of the visitors. Sure. Um, we are very protective of the animals. We don't allow people to be disrespectful, just common sense, but there's not a lot of that anymore. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Um, so we are very protected over them. We don't let people, you know, tease them, you know, torment them, you know, there's no running and that kind of thing. And you are corrected. So I think the animals um feel safe because they know our volunteers are around to sure to monitor that. Um, so you are getting still an up close and kind of personal experience without actually being able to touch them because our animals feel safe in that they know that the volunteers are there to help keep them safe.

SPEAKER_02 9:36

What's one of the biggest reactions though? Because one of the things that I have not visited TNDs in in many, many years, but I have visited. And it's like you're driving through central Pennsylvania, and then all of a sudden you step out and you're like, oh my God, there is a tiger here.

SPEAKER_03 9:51

Like, wait, what? Yeah, I think that is the central, and even hearing like the lions roar. Yeah, yeah. Even some of like the uh neighbors when they have when they have company over. Sure, like a Barbie. It was recently the Fourth of July, right? A comp and then all of a sudden you're like You hear you hear this like lion roar, and they'll be like, What is that? And they're like, Oh, that's just you know, T and D's lions. I'm like, Oh what? What there's lions, yeah, yeah. Yeah, I know one of the one of the um one of our recent visitors, she doesn't live far from us, and she's like always on like these trivia games where you have to like you know guess if it's true or false. She'll always be like, Well, I I live in central Pennsylvania and I can hear lions. And she's like, I always win because no one no one thinks that that's possible, you know, to hear it.

SPEAKER_02 10:33

But it is, but it is, yes, but it is so um each of your attractions has a a different type of interaction with the animals over here. Um, Pam, I mean, you can get up close and personal with your alpacas. There's some distance either at Reptile Land or at TNDs, but um, from those hands-on feeding experiences to guided tours to live shows. Um, if someone was coming to visit, that's really a well-rounded experience for a long weekend. Um, how do those experiences complement each other?

SPEAKER_00 11:05

Um, I would say it just offers a little bit of everything. Like same thing at the zoo, we try to offer a little bit for everyone. So obviously not everyone's going to be as comfortable going up right away, say, and touching a snake their first time stepping into the zoo, especially if they don't know a whole lot or are a bit afraid of snakes. Um, we offer those live shows. So, those live shows, while we normally offer a one-on-one touch experience at the end of each of our shows, there's still a little bit of that distance and education with that. We obviously have our main exhibits. You can go around behind the glass there and see all of our animals without that one-on-one experience. Or if people want that and seek that out, we have a variety of those experiences where you can get up close even with one of us keepers, talk directly to us, and interact with an animal right up close there and personal. So it offers a wide variety just for about anything anyone is looking out of that experience.

SPEAKER_02 11:57

This is going a little bit off script, but Ian, are you willing to let all of us on this podcast? Because we're we are recording, it's video. This is only podcast number two. I hear scratching. I want to know what you have in your box.

SPEAKER_00 12:08

Okay. I'd be I'd really be willing to.

SPEAKER_02 12:11

So then while Ian gets a friend out for us to interact with, um, maybe Pam, you can talk about a little bit about some of the experiences that folks could have on your farm. Okay.

SPEAKER_01 12:24

Uh, well, I I guess we could start with, woohoo! I maybe not. Maybe not. We got distracted. I guess we could start with why I got them in the first place, which was for the yarn, because I I crush I shall also I design them. Yeah. And I really don't find much time for that anymore. But they are valued for their fiber. So there's there's a lot, and and I now have this is new, a full-on Farb Store, alpaca farm store where I carry all the alpaca products, and if I can't make it, I import it from Peru, which is where they're native. Sure. So they are valued for their fiber. Oh, yeah. The winter socks are the best. Wow. These are the extreme outdoor socks, which I sell tons of. They're so hunters, hunters, and um construction workers. But these are the best of the best.

SPEAKER_02 13:17

Wow. They're really beautiful.

SPEAKER_01 13:19

But the soaps I felt with my own alpaca fiber, it's like a soap and wash costle in one. Yeah. And they're handmade goat's milk soaps. And these little guys back here, they're super cute. These come from Peru and they are humanely made. I I'm an animal lover a long time. I would never ever do anything to hurt an animal. But in Peru, they use animals that die in nature. They do not kill them for their power. Okay. So, but these are good sellers too. Very cool stuff. Not everybody is concerned as I am about where it comes from, but I wouldn't I feel like everyone in this room is concerned. Yeah. I think we all. Yeah, I did the research, and that that's a good thing. But I have the store and I also have a venue where we can do parties and events.

SPEAKER_02 14:04

Oh, that's really cool.

SPEAKER_01 14:05

That's interactive with the alpacas. Awesome.

SPEAKER_02 14:07

So yeah, really, really cool stuff. So then, Jennifer, heading back out to TNDs with all of the different species you have. How how do people interact?

SPEAKER_03 14:16

Yeah, so um during the week in June, July, and August, we um offer tours, guided tours on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Um, because of the background of our animals, we're only open about 70 days a year, so it's very limited because of where they come from. Um, so we have the guided tours, which some people really enjoy because they you know hear a little bit more about the animals and where they come from. And um, we don't do shows or anything, but it it's a guided tour. Um, and then the weekends they can come walk around on their own. Okay. And we have volunteers stationed at different areas to make sure people are being respectful, but also like you said earlier, that so the animals feel comfortable with different people walking around. I do know a lot of visitors, you know, one of their main comments is oh, it was really nice to be able to talk to somebody, you know, and and ask questions, if if we even have any. You know, a lot of times they don't, but if they do, there's somebody there to be able to answer those questions.

SPEAKER_02 15:06

So then education is a really big part of what you do at TNDs. So talk a little bit about the educational component and then where did some of the animals come from?

SPEAKER_03 15:14

Yep. So um, so again, like the volunteers are out on the weekends for education and then giving the guided tours, and then we also do you know school tours as well, and especially in May. We offer those in May for the kids. Um, we don't do a lot of off-site um um with the animals only because it's just just my family there mainly, and we have about 14 volunteers. We don't we don't have paid employees, it's just all volunteer work. Um so it's a lot already to take care of. Yeah, and then it's hard to get off, yeah, off-site. Um but yeah, oh I'm sorry, what was your no no no no?

SPEAKER_02 15:47

So where did where did some of the animals?

SPEAKER_03 15:48

Oh, where did some of their yeah? So we get them from a variety of different places. So, like I said, they're all rescue, so a lot of them are government confiscations. So we sort of act like a witness protection program for for animals. So we have a lot of government confiscations. Um most of those were legally owned pets, um, but some were in you know um other situations that they shouldn't have been in. Um then we also receive animals from zoos and other rescue facilities. So we do work with some accredited zoos in the past with with animals. Um, and then we also have the non-releasable Pennsylvania wildlife that just can't return to wild, but they're okay for education. Um give them a second chance. And we get a lot of animals that are kind of like the we're like the land of misfit toys and land of misfit animals because we're we take the animals that nobody wants. Yeah. So we take the ones that you know might be missing an ear or have three legs because other places don't want to exhibit them to and deal with the negativity. Like there's a lot of negativity of visitors. Okay, interesting.

SPEAKER_02 16:47

Yeah, good for you guys. So it's that's amazing. And that's your family. Yeah, incredible. Yeah, it really is incredible what you guys do. Yeah, thank you. Yeah, you're very welcome. My pleasure. All right, educate us now. Who do we have?

SPEAKER_00 17:01

So to address the alligator in the room, uh, this here is Stark. Um, he is one of our juvenile American alligators we do use for a lot of education at the zoo, as well as other off-site programs like this. So we'll readily go around to things like schools, libraries, and do a lot of those traveling education programs as well. So he's an alligator, we bring a lot to that. So he's very well adept to handling. As you can see, he's a pretty socialized animal. He's kind of just hanging out with me here for the most part. So he doesn't really mind too much what's going on. Um, but he's about two years old. Obviously, this is not as large as he will get. He will get much larger, especially being that he's a male, so um, adult male alligators um can reach anywhere between actually about 10 to 14 feet and about 800 to 1100 pounds in weight. So he's got a while to get there yet.

SPEAKER_02 17:50

That's incredible. I really want to hold him. Can we?

SPEAKER_00 17:55

Yes, so you guys will be able to touch him. Okay. I'm like, that's solely up to your guys' comfortability. Can you teach me how to hold him? I can. Um, to answer your question from a bit earlier. Um, okay.

SPEAKER_02 18:09

Oh, Stark, it's okay. He's quite a while. So strong. Up at the tail.

SPEAKER_00 18:16

So you'll hold him with two hands, one hand at the base of his tail here.

SPEAKER_02 18:19

Okay, got it.

SPEAKER_00 18:20

Well, you're gonna do the other hand.

SPEAKER_02 18:22

Hold my other hand, sure, sure, sure.

SPEAKER_00 18:23

Okay, and then this hand right up under his chest. Like that. Oh my god, just like that. I mean firm but light. So you don't want to hold him too firm or he's uncomfortable. But yep, just like that.

SPEAKER_02 18:34

And now, Pam, where if you would instruct Pam, since now we're here chilling with Stark. Yes, where can she touch him?

SPEAKER_00 18:42

So I would say on the back and the base of the tail. Um, obviously, I would advise staying away from the bitey end, even though he's not super inclined to bite. Um, but realistically, still.

SPEAKER_01 18:53

It feels like a rock.

SPEAKER_00 18:54

Yeah. So there is a reason it feels that hard. So those are not just ordinary scales on his back, those are called osteoderms. So what they are are actually bone plates embedded in his skin. So those do actually have a particular use. So they're actually not just used for armor and protection. Oh, wait, they're also used for him to regulate his body temperature, actually. He's cool to the touch. Yes, and that's because he's an ectotherm. So all reptiles are ectothermic or they're cold-blooded. So they rely on their environment around them to basically match their body temperature and regulate it through that.

SPEAKER_02 19:26

He's totally chill.

SPEAKER_00 19:27

Yep, and that's because we handle him quite a bit.

SPEAKER_02 19:30

Yeah. Good boy, Stark. Now, is that related to the Starks of Game of Thrones? Or just Stark in general? Or Tony Stark. Tony Stark. Okay, all right, all right.

SPEAKER_00 19:39

Um, all of our juvenile American Al Gears we use are all named after Marvel characters, actually. It's amazing. So we also have Bucky, um, Natasha, and Thanos as well.

SPEAKER_02 19:49

So um, Rapid Fire will go around, and you know what, Jennifer, we'll start with you. Um, what's one thing that visitors might not expect when they arrive at Tandy's?

SPEAKER_03 20:01

How large our facility is.

SPEAKER_02 20:03

Oh, how large is it?

SPEAKER_03 20:05

Yeah, we um we get that comment a lot by looking at the outside, people are like, we didn't realize it was this big to walk around. So it is about a mile walk around, and we're the animals have about 35 acres. Wow. Now you don't walk that whole thing in the morning. Sure, sure, sure. But they're yeah, so it's about a mile walk around. And I think the and the other like the variety of animals as well as the size of the enclosures. Cool, yeah, cool.

SPEAKER_02 20:25

What about at Countryvale Alpacas?

SPEAKER_01 20:27

One thing that people are like, whoa, I didn't want yeah, uh that um that they're so sociable, that they could actually go into the pasture and feed them, not from outside like most other places. I don't want to scare him.

SPEAKER_02 20:43

I you know what? He's like his breathing is like total, he's totally chill. All right. So then uh over to Clyde Peelings. What's one thing people's like, oh my gosh?

SPEAKER_00 20:52

Um, I think it's the realization that a lot of people, especially the biggest thing you see again with reptiles, people going in is they're a little bit aware you're afraid of them. So I think that biggest realization where they're like, oh my gosh, these animals, there's really not much reason to be afraid of them, especially in a situation like this. Even an alligator, you can see how calm and sociable an alligator can actually be. Um, and I think that really shocks a lot of people, especially because even just like feeling reptiles, you'd be surprised how many people come in that have never touched a reptile in general. A lot of people will come up to say a snake, for example, and they'll be like, oh, is it gonna be slimy? A lot of people think snakes will be slimy, and they touch them and they're just like, oh, they're super dry and smooth, almost like plastic. And it's like, yeah, they're not slimy at all. So I think that just catches a lot of people off guard because not a lot of people actually interact with these animals on a day-to-day basis.

SPEAKER_02 21:42

I can tell you, I've never held a two year old alligator ever before in my life. So this is a first. Um intrusive thoughts though, I like so wanna boop his nose, but I know I should not boop his nose. Yeah, but that's like a bad idea.

SPEAKER_00 21:55

We're not gonna poke and progress.

SPEAKER_02 21:56

We're not we're not gonna we're not gonna boop the bitey end. I would be that person who's like, but I just want to boop the tiger. Like, can I just give it a boop? And I know that's a big no-no.

SPEAKER_00 22:06

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 22:07

Yeah. Anyway.

SPEAKER_00 22:08

Yeah. Even at his size, while he couldn't cause too much damage, it does not feel very good. Sure. Um, I can say that based on personal experience. Um, it's more so their bite force than anything. I mean, they have very small teeth at that age, so realistically, it's not going to cause much damage. But again, for the size of the animal, their bite force is very, very strong. Crocodilians in general, I mean, the world's largest reptile, the saltwater crocodile, they have a maximum measure bite force about 3,900 psi.

SPEAKER_02 22:36

That's a lot.

SPEAKER_00 22:37

It's a lot.

SPEAKER_02 22:37

That's a lot, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 22:39

So even at his small size, he has quite a bite force on him.

SPEAKER_01 22:43

Well, we're just gonna we're just gonna let him chill for right now. He hasn't blinked once the whole time. Is that normal?

SPEAKER_00 22:50

So that can be normal. So a lot of times they don't have to blink as often as a lot of other animals, like mammals. Um, pretty much a lot of reptiles in general are just very energy efficient animals. They're kind of the masters at sitting there and doing absolutely nothing. Um, you'd be surprised how often at the zoo people will say, Is that animal dead or is that animal alive? Yes, they're all alive. They're just the masters at being as lazy as they possibly can and conserving as much energy as they possibly can.

SPEAKER_02 23:19

So, from a tourism perspective, right? Because of course we're inside the Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau, are you all noticing any trends in tourism, especially since it's summer? I feel like people are out and about and visiting. Are you noticing any different trends or things occurring this year that you want to talk about?

SPEAKER_00 23:38

Um, other than just a kind of our normal how we go about scheduling at the zoo, um, obviously the summer is our big that's when everyone's coming, that's when everyone's traveling, doing things. Generally, the winter is a little bit slower of a time for us at the zoo, especially because we have a lot of outdoor exhibits too. So in the winter, obviously we have reptiles, we can't exhibit them in freezing cold temperatures. So a lot of our basically interactions and exhibits have to be reduced because of that. So just in general, we have more going on in the summer because of boosted activity and the temperatures are much warmer, so we can have a lot more exhibits going on as well.

SPEAKER_02 24:17

Now, Jennifer, you said that TD's is typically only open about 70 days out of the year. Is this your tourist season right now? Oh, absolutely, absolutely. Absolutely. Okay.

SPEAKER_03 24:26

Yeah, May through September. Gotcha.

SPEAKER_02 24:28

Okay. So then that's kind of when you have are people what types of experiences are people looking for nowadays? Are they looking to just come and walk around or more personal experiences? Maybe behind the scenes?

SPEAKER_03 24:38

Yeah, I well, I think more personal. I think because everything is going like not personal, you know, you call and you never get a person to talk to on the phone. Right. Yeah. So I think people when they do come, again, I think they enjoy that there is actually, you know, we literally have stations that are volunteers at. So there's someone there that they can actually interact with. You know, so I think that is, I think that's important. More so now because we're heading in the opposite way. Yeah. And I think some people are, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 25:05

So um, whoops, hi papas. You're okay. Are you done? It's okay. Yeah, it's done. You got them. Yep, I got them. Okay, good job. And that was more to me.

SPEAKER_00 25:17

I didn't know no I bumped.

SPEAKER_02 25:18

That's okay. You're all right. I is there something else scratching though?

SPEAKER_00 25:22

Uh yes, there is. So I do have another friend as well.

SPEAKER_02 25:25

So, Pam, while Ian is getting another friend for us, this podcast is going a little long, but I feel like it's fun. Um, if someone is listening right now and thinking about planning a trip, um, what would you say to inspire them to come to the Susquehanna River Valley? And if they're not inspired listening to all three of you from this podcast, I don't know what else will get them here because wow, what different types of experiences can they have? It's incredible.

SPEAKER_01 25:48

Well, I I get people from all over. Yesterday there was a girl from Denmark looking for yarn.

SPEAKER_02 25:55

Uh-huh.

SPEAKER_01 25:56

And when she picked out her yarn, I took her out and showed her the alpacas that it came from. Yeah. And she had to take a picture to take back with her to show so cool. She's making a product from these boys, and she got to pet it. So and she was from Denmark. Denmark. She was from Denmark visiting her grandmother. Oh my god. But I get visitors from I Mexico, Spain, just in the last couple weeks. And um it's it's really fun. I love asking people where they came from. Really cool. But they're looking for something uh fun to do while they're here visiting. And the visitors' bureau has been great with the with the brochures and promoting our businesses. And uh um but they're looking for a unique experience, something different to do with the kids, with their family or friends who are visiting from out of the area.

SPEAKER_02 26:46

Actually, I think I think what you said is pretty impactful. Something different to do with the kids. That's not and these activities are all wonderful, right? Like a bounce plex or a bowling or you know, a skating rink or going to the movies or whatever. But each of your organizations are so unique. I don't know where else you could go and within, you know, anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour hit three different zoo-type experiences where you could see this collection of animals. It's it's really unbelievable.

SPEAKER_03 27:17

And I think we're a little more personal, like all three of them are a little more personal. I would agree. And if you go to, and nothing against bigger zoos or bigger animal place, but when you come to this area, it's smaller, it's not as congested, yep, it's um, you know, very friendly, helpful people. Um, and I think when you go, when you go to the different places, like we all talked about, like you do interact with the people. And I think they really enjoy that. And it's again, it's not crowded, it's it's yeah, it's just a nice area.

SPEAKER_02 27:48

It is, and then like you said earlier, okay, so when you're done visiting Clyde Peelings, and then maybe you're coming back and traveling through different towns, eat at a res a local restaurant, drink because we have so many amazing places here, which is great.

SPEAKER_03 28:01

And oftentimes, since you guys are open earlier than we are, meaning in the morning, oftentimes um we open at noon. So I'll see, you know, at noon, one o'clock, the hand stamp from Rev Thailand. So like, oh, you're a Rev Thailand, how'd you enjoy? And like, oh, it was great. And then, you know, either they knew they were already coming to us or they saw the brochure that you guys have there, and we have your brochures. It's just it's it that that's that makes me feel good too, because it's like, oh, they go into your place and then they're obviously animal people and came over in the afternoon. Um to see.

SPEAKER_02 28:29

No, it's nice. Collaboration can really be um a powerful thing. So you just illustrated the perfect benefit of working together, right? So, oh, here's here's another thing we could do. We don't have plans tomorrow afternoon. Let's let's go and do X, Y, and Z. So all right, we have another friend.

SPEAKER_00 28:46

Yes, uh so we have an eastern box turtle. So this is a Pennsylvania native species, so turtle that you can find readily right in your backyard. This here is also a juvenile, so he has a little bit of growing yet to do. He'll probably double in size till he reaches adulthood yet. So a little bit about them, I guess, why they're called a box turtle, um, is their unique plastron. So actually, I don't know if I can show any of the cameras if they can get it. Uh, there's a little horizontal line that runs through the center of their plastron or the bottom of their shell here. Um, basically, uh what that is going to do is actually allow them to come and complete yeah. It's okay. Completely enclose themselves inside of their shell. Um, so a lot of other turtles and tortoise can't do that. A lot of times you'll see they have very heavy uh scalation on the front of their forearms, and they'll just use that to kind of block off their head, which is the most exposed vital part of their body, and just block that entrance off. While box turtles, they can actually hinge the front of the bottom of their shell upwards and completely close this gap.

SPEAKER_01 29:43

Who knew?

SPEAKER_02 29:44

Like the cartoon white set closes them right on and up. Does our turtle friend have a name?

SPEAKER_00 29:50

He actually does not have a name currently. So, one reason for that is they were fairly recent acquisitions. Okay. And two, um, we keep them uh multiple individuals together. Uh so I believe currently we have six box turtles that are juvenile's total howls together. And that just kind of comes down to telling them apart would be uh virtually impossible, especially at this size. Um, so unfortunately, if we were to name them, we'd probably be referring to them as the wrong name all the time.

SPEAKER_02 30:21

Sure. Well, we're gonna call him Leonardo in honor of one of the ninja turtles, teenage mutant ninja turtles, that is. But um, one quick last question about the turtle. Is there a way to tell the difference between male and female based upon a pattern? Is that true or is that not true for the box turtle?

SPEAKER_00 30:38

So, as far as based upon patterning, no. So there are a lot of animals out there that you can do that with. Um, so we have a big fancy basically term for that. It's called sexual dimorphism. Okay. So something that looks visibly different from one another. Um, so a good example that I can use specifically because I'm a big venomous snake person, um, would be uh wagglers temple vipers. So they're a species of tree-dwelling viper from Southeast Asia. If you look at the females, they can reach up to about three feet long. They'll be almost entirely black with basically yellow tiger stripes and a bluish underbelly. The males stay only about 15 inches long and look like little tiny green beans.

SPEAKER_02 31:17

Oh, really?

SPEAKER_00 31:18

So they're green their entire life, and they just have little tiny, basically brown dots lining down their sides. Wow. And that's what they look like. So they're much smaller than females, stay bright green their entire life, and don't shift their colors at all towards what females will.

SPEAKER_02 31:31

Well, women are more powerful, so yeah.

SPEAKER_00 31:33

So that's a that's a very extreme difference there that you can see with something like that. Now, most turtles, there are some fairly sure ways you can tell. Uh, one of them is going to be actually how their plastron is shaped. Okay. Um, and that just kind of goes with uh how that reproductive activity actually occurs. Um, so basically, most turtles that are males will have kind of a big divot in the bottom of their plastron so they can accommodate for that reproductive activity.

SPEAKER_02 32:04

We need some eggs for some baby turtles. Got it. Got it, got it, got it. Cool. Is he friendly enough to maybe come and say hi? Oh cool. He'd be fun to hold.

SPEAKER_00 32:14

Oh, just come and support his weight there.

SPEAKER_02 32:17

He's like, oh.

SPEAKER_01 32:18

Oh. I can pet his head. Maybe.

SPEAKER_00 32:21

He might not like no a little bit. His head is the most vital part of his body. So he's a little shy around that.

SPEAKER_01 32:27

All right. Do they feel when you touch their shell?

SPEAKER_00 32:30

So to an extent, yes. So actually, since he is a juvenile, you can actually see if you look at the top of his shell, you'll see little bumps that are running through the center of it. Yes. That's actually his spine. So a turtle and tortoise's shell is basically like our spine ribs. So their spine is fused into the inside of their shell, and like our ribs wrap around our internal organs. Basically, you think of a shell as just widened and fused together ribs. Okay. So they do have a lot of nerve endings that run up through their spine, just like us. So while very light touch, they can't necessarily feel any little taps on it, they can feel those vibrations going throughout their shell.

SPEAKER_02 33:05

Got them. Pam's got them. So as we wrap up this episode, if someone is listening right now and maybe it's spread far enough that they're several states away thinking about planning a trip to the Susquehanna River Valley, what would you say to them to inspire them to come and experience any one of these awesome animal attractions that we have in our area?

SPEAKER_03 33:30

I just say just come and visit, and I think you'd be surprised at at least I think you'd be pleasantly surprised at each of the the f uh our facilities. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 33:40

Yeah. What about you? Um I I think a lot of people are surprised too at the variety of products that actually come from alpacas and and my dryer balls come from alpacas. Absolutely, absolutely. That reminds me I need to order more. And how about somebody wanted to buy just one yesterday for her cat? Yeah. Cats and dogs. Oh, she's to play with them. Oh my gosh. And what about you, and what would you say?

SPEAKER_00 34:10

Um, I would say just yeah, stop in, test out, feel out the waters. Um, basically, especially if you're afraid of reptiles, um, I would encourage you to come in, uh, learn a thing or two, see if we can maybe change your mind. And even if you love reptiles, come in, see what we got. We obviously have a variety, a lot, even more than some of your bigger zoos out there, just because again, we are a highly specialized zoo. So come in, stop by, interact with some of our animals, especially if you love reptiles, and maybe you'll learn a thing or two.

SPEAKER_02 34:43

Well, if you are listening to this podcast and you've made it this far, thank you for joining us. Clyde Pelane's Reptile Land, Countryvale Alpacas, and TD Cats of the World. Those are the three things that you want to look up. I encourage you highly to plan a visit to all of the amazing animal attractions that are right here in the Susquehanna River Valley. Thank you all so much for joining me today. This has been so much fun. And thank you for bringing the animals. Appreciate all of you, and we will catch you next time as we continue to explore the SRV. Thank you. Thank you.

SPEAKER_00 35:15

Thank you for having me.