Our Staff
Name:
Matt Smallheer
Position:
Visionary, Operations Manager
Team Member Since:
2006
Name a few of the Reptiles/Amphibians you own:
- I have two kids :)
Favorite Part of your job:
Satisfying the needs of our customer base. We offer a unique product and present it in a unique way. I love the awe we create.
Personal Mission:
To create a wildly efficient system that provides consistent results.
Fun fact about me:
I train 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu & CrossFit six days a week.
Hobbies:
Jiu Jitsu, Fitness, The Beach, Politics, Investing.
Name:
Stephanie Smallheer
Position:
Integrator, Human Resources
Team Member Since:
2006
Name a few of the Reptiles/Amphibians you own:
- I have a Giant African Millipede.
Favorite Part of your job:
Selling a family their first reptile is always exciting. :)
Personal Mission:
To be able to teach and educate people on the hobby.
Fun fact about me:
I am not a fan of snakes.
Hobbies:
10th Planet Jiu Jitsu, spending time with my family, cooking, and outdoor activities
Name:
Eric Mueller
Position:
General Manager, Inventory Manager
Team Member Since:
2011
Name a few of the Reptiles/Amphibians you own:
- Ball Pythons - Python regius
- Woma Pythons - Aspidites ramsayi
- Mt. Meru Jackson’s Chameleons
- Gargoyle Geckos - Rhacodactylus auriculatus
Favorite Part of your job:
My favorite part about working at the Tye-Dyed Iguana is creating naturalistic vivariums for all of the animals.
Personal Mission:
To teach people about the animals and how to properly take care of them.
Fun fact about me:
The first time I got onto a plane I flew to the other side of the world.
Hobbies:
Building terrariums, herping, hiking, kayaking, fishing, snowboarding, and riding motorcycles.
Name:
Heather Bechtoldt
Position:
Marketing Team
Team Member Since:
2009
Name a few of the Reptiles/Amphibians you own:
- Red Foot Tortoise
- 2 Ball Pythons
- Veiled Chameleons
- African Clawed Frog
Favorite Part of your job:
Taking care of the babies from the incubator, being able to watch them hatch out and raise them.
Personal Mission:
To keep the animals healthy and happy so they can find a good home.
Fun fact about me:
I have a Bachelor of Science in Zoology with a minor in Chemistry.
Hobbies:
Movies, art (drawing), video games, jigsaw puzzlies, fishing.
Name:
Jennii Moehlmann
Position:
Animal Care Manager
Team Member Since:
2012
Name a few of the Reptiles/Amphibians you own:
- Gray Tree Frogs
- Cuban Tree Frogs
- Pacman Frogs
Favorite Part of your job:
Being able to not only work with the animals, but learning something new everyday.
Personal Mission:
As the store grows, teaching others the proper care for each individual animal and insuring the health as well. (Personal note: If you want to chat with me, just tap my shoulder; I have headphones in)
Fun fact about me:
Besides all the reptiles I won and terrariums I make, I absolutely love doing my make-up. My face is a canvas and I create pieces of art on it. If you see me at work though, I'll almost never have make-up on. Don't want to ruin my art by sweating it off. ;)
Hobbies:
Gaming, Making terrariums out of old and odd bottles, Creating art on my face (make-up), Digital Drawing.
Name:
Bill Fox
Position:
Invertebrate Care Taker, Snake Room, Shipping
Team Member Since:
2007
Name a few of the Reptiles/Amphibians you own:
- Uromastyx
- Tarantulas
- Fish
Favorite Part of your job:
I get to work with awesome reptiles, amphibians, tarantulas, and other invertabrates etc.
Personal Mission:
To teach people about the animals and how to properly take care of them.
Fun fact about me:
I've been working with all kinds of animals for over 40 years. Reptiles, amphibians, invertabrates, fish, mammals, birds, and more.
Hobbies:
Outdoors, nature, 2nd amendment, survival, camping, gunsmithing, military surplus collecting.
Name:
Eleazar Gonzalez
Position:
Sales Team
Team Member Since:
2018
Name a few of the Reptiles/Amphibians you own:
- Sulcata Tortoise
- Tarantulas
- Piranha
Favorite Part of your job:
Interacting with different animals and seeing the excitement of people seeing reptiles / exotic animals for the first time.
Personal Mission:
Learning what I can about the industry and helping end the stigma against reptiles. Teaching others on proper care for them.
Fun fact about me:
I have a split tongue. I practice tattooing on my self. Grow carious species of cacti and peppers. Enjoys taxidermy.
Hobbies:
Art. Collecting oddities. Photography. Watching horror movies. Eating extremely spicy foods.
Name:
Chelsea Wetzstein
Position:
Marketing Team, Graphics Design
Team Member Since:
2018
Name a few of the Reptiles/Amphibians you own:
- Mexican Black Kingsnake
- Crested Geckos
- Tarantulas
Favorite Part of your job:
Getting to take care of and interact with so many different kinds of animals.
Personal Mission:
To provide the best care possible for all of the animals at the shop, so they can go to their new homes happy and healthy.
Fun fact about me:
My dad was a private pilot and I've had experience with flying and aircraft since I was a small child. I still have a strong passion for aviation.
Hobbies:
Video games, building computers, hunting & fishing, spending time at the gun range, taking care of my small zoo at home.
Name:
Connie Hirsch
Position:
Education Specialist, Cleaning
Team Member Since:
2006
Name a few of the Reptiles/Amphibians you own:
- Several grandchildren ;)
Favorite Part of your job:
Making sure families are happy and satisfied.
Personal Mission:
To do the best I can to help make this business thrive. To keep it as clean as possible.
Fun fact about me:
I love relaxing in a cemetery.
Hobbies:
Reading, crocheting, tomb rubbing, visiting wineries.
Name:
Autumn Stancil
Position:
Sales Team, Administrative Assistant
Team Member Since:
2019
Name a few of the Reptiles/Amphibians you own:
- Reticulated Python
- Fish
- Isopods
Favorite Part of your job:
Getting to learn something new every day. Also delivery days are always fun especially when new tarantulas arrive.
Personal Mission:
To work with animals that I love and to teach and share my passion with others.
Fun fact about me:
I was adopted when I was 17 years old.
Hobbies:
Painting, fishing, photography, hiking, kayaking, learning to pair tarantulas.
Name:
Haley Crouch
Position:
Animal Care Specialist
Team Member Since:
2020
Name a few of the Reptiles/Amphibians you own:
- Argentine Black and White Tegu
- Blue Tongue Skink
- Chinese Water Dragon
Favorite Part of your job:
Being able to see a community love and care so passionately for otherwise underrated or misunderstood animals. I love seeing customers put so much time and care into their scaley friends!
Personal Mission:
To ensure every animal is well taken care of and loved and that every customer is helped and happy with their new companion.
Fun fact about me:
I like turtles. (Also, I got accepted into art school at 17)
Hobbies:
Drawing, photography, video games, writing, and videography.
Name:
Collin Wallin
Position:
Sales Manager, Education Specialist
Team Member Since:
2020
Name a few of the Reptiles/Amphibians you own:
- Ball Pythons
Favorite Part of your job:
Sharing knowledge with customers and handling all the animals nobody else wants to touch.
Personal Mission:
Provide customers with an outstanding overall experience and coaching new reptile owners.
Fun fact about me:
None.
Hobbies:
Horticulture, basket weaving.
Name:
Bella Rose
Position:
Sales Team
Team Member Since:
2021
Name a few of the Reptiles/Amphibians you own:
- Bearded Dragon - Waffles
- Ball Python - Ryno
- Leopard Gecko - Nebula
- Red Eared Slider - Penny
Favorite Part of your job:
Helping people learn about their animals and when little kids are enthusiastic about reptiles.
Personal Mission:
To teach people how to best care for their animals and to spread the love of reptiles to others.
Fun fact about me:
I want to be an exotic animal veterinarian when I'm older.
Hobbies:
Reading, art, gardening, and hiking!
Name:
Kim Smallheer
Position:
Plant Care Specialist
Team Member Since:
2019
Name a few of the Reptiles/Amphibians you own:
- None
Favorite Part of your job:
Quietly working alone.
Personal Mission:
To help grow the company.
Fun fact about me:
A very good shot with a firearm.
Hobbies:
Staying active, riding a bike, racquetball.
Name:
Landyn Smallheer
Position:
Sales Team
Team Member Since:
2006
Name a few of the Reptiles/Amphibians you own:
- Browse the store inventory :)
Favorite Part of your job:
Getting to see the business grow.
Personal Mission:
Long term of taking over and making the business even more successful.
Fun fact about me:
I have a love for basketball.
Hobbies:
Basketball, marching band, working out, Xbox.
Name:
Jessica Kuca
Position:
Education Specialist, Sales Team
Team Member Since:
2022
Name a few of the Reptiles/Amphibians you own:
- 2 Crested Geckos, Bruni and Wally
- Red Tiger Isopods
Favorite Part of your job:
I just love spending time with all the animals! Getting to teach kids about the animals I love is the best feeling in the world.
Personal Mission:
To teach everyone who comes in to love these animals as much as I do. Reptiles can be so misunderstood, so if one person leaves knowing more and liking them more, I've done my job.
Fun fact about me:
My family owns a farm with 30+ horses (some owned, most boarded) and 2 baby goats.
Hobbies:
Reading, horseback riding, drawing, painting, antique shopping, singing, playing video games, and hanging out with friends.
Name:
Richard Wilson
Position:
Sales Team
Team Member Since:
2022
Name a few of the Reptiles/Amphibians you own:
- Rat Snakes
- Geckos - Crested, Tokays
- Anoles - Blue Beauty
Favorite Part of your job:
Educating customers.
Personal Mission:
Providing the customer with a quality experience.
Fun fact about me:
Love to work with the uncommon species that are harder to work with.
Hobbies:
Hunting, breeding reptiles.
Name:
Trinity Springman
Position:
Animal Care Specialist, Plant Care Specialist
Team Member Since:
2023
Name a few of the Reptiles/Amphibians you own:
- Gargoyle Gecko
- Paradox Sandboa
- Anery Sandboa
Favorite Part of your job:
Getting to continue the gift of life to plants and animals.
Personal Mission:
To make this store flourish to it's highest content and making sure all exotic pets have their aquired needs.
Fun fact about me:
I own over 200 houseplants and love spending time on them. Sadly enough our 2 new rescue puppies love to chew on plants. :(
Hobbies:
I've played viola for about 12 years in the Alton Symphony. I love to ice skate and bowl in leauge at St. Clair Bowl.