Gator aid

Tigard’s House of Reptiles takes in a stray alligator

By Stover E Harger III

The Times, Sep 17, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

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This disheartens Criswell, who loves herpetological animals, or “herps.” He started keeping them in 1987 and breeding them a decade later. He eventually opened up Healthy Pet Exotics within a larger pet store in 2004.

When the larger store was sold in 2006, he bought the store-within-a-store, renaming it House of Reptiles and moving it to Tigard.

It will soon be illegal for most people to own or purchase certain exotic animals, including alligators, under a new Oregon law that goes into effect Jan. 1. Those who already own one can file for a permit within a two-year time period.

Although he agrees that gators should not be pets, Criswell believes it is a silly law. As far as he knows, no one has ever been killed by a pet alligator in Oregon.

While living in the House of Reptiles the gators get their own form of room service.

His gators are fed a regular diet of commercial “crocodile chow,” goldfish, frozen fish, chicken parts and dead rodents.

“They’ll eat just about anything,” Criswell said.

While the gators may only be temporary Tigard residents, they still seem like a hit with customers at the shop.

As Criswell shows off the new gator, a group of children walk up to the tub to admire it. But when they start to get too close Criswell has to remind them to back away.

“Don’t stick your head too close,” he quickly said.

Although the gators are small enough that they see themselves as prey, their clenching jaws look like they could still pack quite a bite.

The kids wisely follow Criswell’s advice and walk away. But they still keep their eyes on the tub to get a look at the exotic beast that now calls Tigard its home.

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