WEBB CITY, Mo. — A Webb City Resident is turning a hobby into a business, and helping small creatures thrive.
Jared Gray has been fascinated with catching and learning about reptiles since he was a child.
“Learning about them from growing up, my wife really had a similar story but a California version growing up in the desert,” said the Toad Ranch owner.
He and his wife first connected over their shared love of reptiles, and after research didn’t show any enclosures fitting their standard – they decided to build their own.
“It’s exciting because it changes the hobby itself. People used to always think about reptiles enclosures as dirty glass cages, clamp lights hanging everywhere and electrical hazards, but what we build really is a zoo-quality exhibit we actually have tons of enclosures in zoos across the U.S.,” said Gray.
Gray says he builds standard and custom enclosures, like you’d see in a zoo — but designed to fit seamlessly as a furniture piece. The enclosures give reptiles a far more controlled environment and offer better insulation.
He says they build about 40 cages in each batch and most of their customers come from states like California and Arizona.
“The best place to start is with a breeder, there’s some really good captive breeders in the US that will really be a good contact throughout the reptile’s life to get that information from and we’re always helping to help step in and provide information.”
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