Sierra Scales Exotics

Home
Sierra Scales Exotics

Sierra Scales Exotics Herpetoculturist located in the California Sierra Nevada foothills.

Offering reptile & amphibian education programs/ birthday parties, rattlesnake relocation services, pet educational resources, and more. United States Association of Reptile Keepers Member
Responsible Reptile Keeper Member
National Wildlife Control Operators Association Member (Certified Reptile and Amphibian Operator)

06/02/2025

When you're hanging on for dear life, but the weekend is just within reach.

I'm right there with Gumby on this one. How's everyone else? Sending good vibes to all my fellow Fed employees going through it right now. Hang in there.

04/02/2025

Unfortunately, I have some sad news to report. One of my educational ambassador animals, Garth the Gartersnake, passed away unexpectedly.

The sudden loss hit me pretty hard. I pride myself in giving him the best possible enclosure with tons of enrichment, plants, textures, a large swimming pool, and plenty of hiding and climbing spots. Up until a week ago he was seemingly thriving, but then stopped coming out to greet me in the mornings and stopped begging for worms, then stopped eating all together.

With the weather here in my part of CA changing to more wintery conditions, I thought that maybe he was just deciding to go into brumation or maybe just wanted darker more steady ambient temps. So I moved him to my heated isopod rack into he hopes that it would help. But unfortunately, even after three days in the rack he didn't make it.

Even though he was only with us for a short time, he made a huge inpact with so many people. His fun yellow stripes, big inquisitive eyes, and tiny red tongue enthralled the kids. And I will personally miss him greeting me at the front of his tank every morning when I turn on his light.

Last night I prepped his tiny skeleton to be cleaned by my dermestid beetles so I can memorialize him in a special way. I plan to articulate his skeleton and place it in a frame of preserved moss and mushrooms with polished stones.

In the process of prepping his body I did a rudimentary necropsy and found an odd green mass attached to his stomach that did not belong there. Not sure if it was from parasites or a cyst, or what really, but whatever it was I feel certain it was what led to his fast decline.

Rest in peace little guy. You will be deeply missed.

"Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart." ~A.A. Milne

27/01/2025

✨SMALL BUSINESS FUNDRAISER✨

For those new here, I am trying to start a reptile and amphibian education business in my little corner of the world.

I will be doing:

👉Reptile, Amphibian,and Invertebrate education programs for schools, libraries,public events, private events, birthday parties, and more!

👉Rattlesnake education, abatement consultations, and rattlesnake relocation services.

👉Guided adventures exploring herping techniques, photography techniques, and more!

👉Reptiles for "Rent" for photographers and for local fundraising events.

👉Writing and selling books related to reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates.

👉Pet reptile, amphibian or invert consultations, and education classes.

👉So much more!

Like what you see and want to support it? Message me to enter! I changed the fundraiser a bit, there's now 85 spots instead of 150, giving you better odds of winning! Open spot will be in the comments! 👉 LET'S DO THIS!

#2025

25/01/2025

Zoolander just being the cutest geck he can be! 😍 I mean just look at him!

22/01/2025

✨Heyo!🤗

Ash here, first I want to say a HUGE thank you to the people who have been in my circle from the beginning! You guys have no idea how much you mean to me! The only reason I have gotten this far is because of YOU!

I am FINALLY in the home stretch to making this little dream of mine a official business! I just need to purchase liabily insurance (FINALLY FOUND ONE), the business licenses, the LLC, and the permits I need to operate as an official business. This grand total equals to about 1.6k.

While I COULD keep cash flowing and saving for expenses, I thought this would be a fun way to

A) Involve my reptile community friends and friends in other communities too
B) Give the folks who've been wanting to show support and don't know how a chance to do so
C) Potentially get to my goal faster

SO here I am, holding a super fun Fundraising Spin to Win! The grand prize is valued at over one fifty bucks and you'd have some sweet swag to show your support!

Heres the scoop:
-10°° an entry can get as many as you want (Zelle, Cash App, Venmo) message me to enter!

-150 spots (open till full)

-US Residents only

-Shipping included for winners

-Shares would be so appreciated, and the faster it fills up the faster I can pick a winner!

-THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!!! 🥰

16/01/2025

Look at this absolutely adorable lounge lizard! I have earned the trust of Slinky a while ago, but it still makes me happy how she is so comfortable with me and in her home that she is unfazed by me opening her tank to snap a quick picture. She could open her eye and watch what I'm doing to make sure she doesn't need to run, but she just know that's never an issue. That means a lot beings as Halmaheras blue tongues are not exactly easy to care for with the humidity and heat requirements. Norbert, my other Halm, is still so very shy and on edge anytime I go in his house, hoping to get him to this point of comfort some day.

14/01/2025

My absence from social media has been due to me working towards BIG things like: publishing my first book, making my small business official, starting a YouTube channel, and more! The last few evenings were spent drawing this portrait of Ember for the cover of my upcoming book, "The Young Herpetologists Care Guide To... Ball Pythons", the first in a series of kids reptile pet care guide and activity books.

For those new here, Ember was one of my first ball pythons, and one of my very favorites. She was a simple normal but had the absolute best personality and demeanor. Unfortunately, 4 years ago, I lost her to Nidovirus. I didn't know about biosecurity, and after months of treating her with antibiotic injections vet trips, and literally pouring every penny I had into trying to get here well, she succumbed to the virus.

I learned about Nido near the end of her struggle and tested her the day before she passed. I didn't get results back for a week, but that positive report gutted me.

From then I promised myself to do what I could to educate others, and work towards helping more people understand the gravity of good biosecurity and testing their snakes.

This was the inspiration for my book, and for so many other projects I do.

Anyways, enjoy this portrait of one of the sweetest snakes! Message me your email if youd like to get on my email list for my book, coming soon!

08/01/2025

🥳 Celebrating small victories these days!

I am now officially a member of the National Wildlife Control Operators Association and passed the Reptiles and Amphibian Certified Course! This certification course lines out the best practices for reptile and amphibian exclusion, relocation, and property inspection. I plan to wrap these services up in my business moving forward! Now onto the next steps... ✨

06/01/2025

I'm a little behind as per usual, but... HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Here is a sneak peek of the January page for my calendar (hopefully will be available to order this evening).

Zorro is here to help welcome us all into the Year of the Snake! How perfect is that? And how fitting is it that this is the year I finalize and make my business official? Almost like it was meant to be or something!

Anyways, hope everyone had a happy and safe new year celebration!

#2025

03/01/2025

I am selling my super nice full frame Nikon if anyone is looking to get a nice camera without breaking the bank. This thing is absolutely AMAZING! Super sharp with every lens I've put on it! Very clean, I took very good care of it. All Lenses always had filters on them, and the lcd screens always had protectors on them. I love this camera, hate to sell it to be honest, but I need to get something smaller or lighter due to tendonitis in my shooting wrist. Details below and in screenshots in the post. Check my art account to see samples of what this camera can do

Camera: Nikon D810 FX-format (Full Frame) Digital SLR Camera Body
>Compatible Mountings: Nikon F
>Aspect Ratio: 16:9
>Photo Sensor Technology: CMOS
>Supported File Format: S-RAW
>Image Stabilization: Optical,
Digital
>Optical Zoom: 1 x
>Shutter Count: 63,455

Highlights of Camera:
•Very clean, only slight paint flaking off on the bottom edges, but nothing that impacts the functionality of the camera. No dust in eyepiece, no scratches on sensor, mirror, or either LCD screen.
• 36.3 Megapixel Full Frame (FX-Format CMOS Sensor)
• EXPEED 4 Image Processor
• No Optical Low Pass Filter
• 3.2" 1, 229k-Dot LCD Monitor
• Full HD 1080p Video at 60/30/24 fps
• Multi-CAM 3500FX 51-Point AF Sensor
• Native ISO 12800, Extended to ISO 51200
• 5 fps Shooting at Full Resolution

Lenses:
Nikon 24-120mm f/4G ED VR AF-S NIKKOR Lens

Tokina AT-X116PRDXN at-X PRO DX 11-16mm Ultra-Wide Angle Lens

Nikon AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G Close-up Lens

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G Vibration Reduction II Zoom Lens with Auto Focus

Asking 1550, at this time I am not willing to separate.

Must pick up in Tuolumne CA, shipping may be possible for extra but not guaranteed. No holds without a deposit.

Message any questions. If ad is still up it is still available. This is bundle is worth more than I'm asking, just wanting enough to replace it. Serious inquiries only please! 😊

22/12/2024

I am thrilled to introduce Gumby and Gooby, the White’s Tree Frogs (Litoria caerulea), also known as Dumpy Tree Frogs. As of now, they are the final additions to my educational animal ambassador team!

These derps came from a sweet couple who were looking for a good home for these guys, and I jumped at the opportunity (pun fully intended).

I chose these gentle, laid-back frogs over the native chorus frog due to White's Tree Frogs being known for their calm demeanor and preference for climbing, not jumping. Not to say they don't jump, they are just not as hippity hoppity as chorus frogs. I have also loved this species since I was a kid and have always found their chunky, derpy faces captivating!

These chunky cuties are native to Australia and New Guinea and are nocturnal. When hungry, they venture out at night to seek out invertebrates like grasshoppers, flies, earthworms, and spiders. When they find prey, they like to lunge at it and "shovel" it into their mouth with their "hands" like some kind of pond dwelling goblin. Like most tree frogs, during the day, White's Tree Frogs rest in cool, generally dark or shaded, moist hiding spots.

I built them a bioactive tank backdrop using and coconut fiber to help give it more texture and hold humidity. I added in some marble queen pothos, a philodendron, mossy vive, and their log they came with. Later, I will be adding some bromilads, live moss, and some air plants to the wall for more color and enrichment.

I'm so excited for Gumby and Gooby to hop into their new roles, helping people connect with the fascinating world of amphibians, and learn how frogs can tell us a lot about the health of our environment as one of the most important ecosyestem indicator species.

17/12/2024

Someone needs to tell Kenny that sand boas aren't very good climbers! He didn't get the memo. 🤷‍♀️😅

11/12/2024

OK, long overdue book update for those who've been waiting! Turns out I don't know how to make things simple, and maybe went a bit overboard with everything I wanted to include in my book. Which is both good and bad I suppose. The good news is that the book will be even better than initially promised; the bad news is that it probably won't be available until about February.

I have poured so much time, love, and care into this book. I want to make sure I do it right and that it reflects the effort that I have put into it.

I apologize for the delay and appreciate the patience of those who have been eagerly waiting for it! I promise it will be worth the wait!

Message me to get on my email list that I will be starting up this weekend now that i am closer to the end!

#

09/12/2024

Do you see that smile on my face? That is a true, 100% genuine love my life smile! This right here is my true calling.

Here’s a glimpse of the show and tell program I did for little Jameson’s 4th birthday. He was a bit nervous about snakes at first, but after a pre-party meet-up, he held Bazooka (the rubber boa) and Calypso (my largest ball python) like a pro!

At the start of the party, a few kids were nervous about snakes, reptiles, and bugs, but after explaining how harmless they are if left alone, everyone began to relax. I broke the ice with Zoolander the Crested Gecko, and their faces absolutely lit up watching him climb the glass and jump. The rest of the program went smoothly, with only a little hesitation toward the millipedes (poor Reeses and Rollo). By the end, they were all fully into it, as evidenced by the fourth photo!

Thank you for inviting me to your party, Jameson, and I hope you had a very Happy 4th Birthday!

I’m now accepting bookings for birthday parties in 2025! My program includes 1 hour of hands-on reptile, amphibian, and invertebrate fun, a 30-minute photo session, goodie bags for the kids, and a special gift for the birthday child, a hand-painted wooden snake or lizard (made by me) that moves just like the real thing!

Message me to book, and let's make your child’s next birthday unforgettable! 🦎🐍🕷🐛

Available in Tuolumne County, CA, and all neighboring counties.

Photo credit to @ Katie Willer

Address

Website

http://www.sierrascalesexotics.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Sierra Scales Exotics posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Sierra Scales Exotics:

Videos

Sneak peek.... Getting any ideas as to what I'm up to yet? 😉😏 #art #artist #artistsofinstagram #artistsupportartists #artoftheday #artistsupport #instaartist #procreate #ipad #ipadart #procreateapp #procreateartist #procreateart #digitalart #digitalartisart #artisart #reptileart #reptilelover #reptilesarelife #reptilesmakegreatpets #reptileenrichment #enrichment #ballpython #ballpythoncollection #ballpythonaspets #petsnake #petsnakes #petstagram #petoftheday #petreptile

It is baby rattlesnake season, and for #wildlifewednesday I wanted to share my revamped (still not quite done, but close) Rattlesnake Relocation services page on my website! It has some good info as well as contacts to get ahold of for further assistance if I am not available to help. Soon I'll have a whole infographic on the difference between rattlesnakes and a gopher snakes, how to avoid snake bites, and how to make your yard/home less inviting to the uninvited! Let me know what you think, (unless you think "The only good snake is a dead snake" because you are 100% wrong on that, and no one wants to hear it). 😉 #crotalusoreganus #crotalus #westernrattlesnake #rattlesnake #rattlesnakerelocateca #rattlesnakeca #rattlesnakesofinstagram #rattlesnakeeducation #rattlesnakerelocatetuolumnecounty #snake #snakes #snakeeducation #nativereptiles #nativewildlife #savethesnakes #snakesareanimalstoo #snakesneedlovetoo #tuolumnecounty #visittuolumnecounty #tuolumnetogether #dowhatyoulove #lovewhatyoudo

Hot Take: Why is it acceptable to talk about snakes in violent and horrible ways? I have been taking screen shots of all the things I see people saying about rattlesnakes for a few weeks. This is the result. Absolutely repulsive. If we talked about cats or dogs the same way people talk about snakes, especially rattlesnakes, the general population would lose their mind. This is stuff that gets passed down generation to generation, and half of it isn't even true. Can we stop? Please? Can we do some due diligence to educate ourselves, or make some effort to listen and learn from others? Just maybe?

Pinch me, I must be dreaming! How did I get so lucky to get this stunning creature! He just glows in the sun and the iridescence on his scales is mesmerizing to watch as he moves. After a bit of deliberation of name choices, @aarxnjames and I agreed on Zorro the Zonata! He looks like he has a little mask on, and like the character in the movie, he will be "fighting" for his victimized friends against injustice and prejudice by way of education! It seemed too fitting! This video was a quick one from when I took him outside to do a full body check for mites, ticks, or any other parasites that may be hitch hiking on him. He was surprisingly very clean, aside from some recent looking scars. I cannot wait to bond with him more after some decompression time. He is such a chill, friendly snake! #zorro #zonata #lampropeltiszonata #californiamountainkingsnake #kingsnakesofig #Kingsnake #kingsnakesofinstagram #kingsnakecalifornia #nativereptile #nativereptiles #nativesnakes #herpetofauna #herpcommunity #herpetology #herpingisforeveryone #herpingcalifornia #sciencecommunication #conservationeducation #education #dowhatyoulove #lovewhatyoudo

I wanted to start doing a #featurefriday post every week to show the adoptable friends looking for forever homes! This weeks #featuredfriend is Leela! Leela is a 3 year old Fire Yellowbelly ball python. She is about 3.5 feet long, eats frozen thawed or live food, and is an absolute sweetheart. I WILL BE VERY PARTICULAR WITH WHO SHE GOES TO, THERE WILL BE A SMALL REHOMING FEE AND I WILL REQUIRE PROOF OF A PROPER SET UP PRIOR TO SHIPPING OR MEETING UP. (This is only in bold so it gets read 😅) Leela was born without her right eye, and her left eye is undersized. I don't think she can see much except shadows out of the left eye. Despite her handicap she is one of the friendliest snakes I've ever met. She is happy to hang out, explore, and is absolutely pretty to look at. She would make the perfect pet for someone who is looking for a low maintenance friend that eats bi weekly, and isn't super demanding of attention. She would make a great study buddy for a collage student, and would also be a fantastic therapy animal for a special needs child (with adult caretaking), as she is incredibly docile, calm, and slow moving. For more details inquire below! Leela is ready for her forever home... Will it be with you? 🏡 #ballpython #ballpythonsofinstagram #ballpythonlover #ballpythonpet #pet #petsnakes #petsnakesofinstagram #petsnakesofig #reptile #reptilepets #reptilesaspets #reptilesmakegreatpets #cutepets #petstagram #petsofinstagram #petreptile #dowhatyoulove #dowhatyoulove

So normally this is the day I do wildlife Wednesday posts, but today we are going to do something a little different. I wanted to show off these soft, portable hides my mom had been making for years for snakes, lizards, rats, hamsters, pretty much any small animal! She pours her heart and soul into these and really doesn't get much traction for some reason so I wanted to highlight some of my favorite features about them and how I use them! Feel free to ask me any questions about them! 🫶🏽 ✨CHECK OUT HER FACEBOOK PAGE HERE: www.facebook.com/snakesnugglys✨ I know she would really love the support if you just swung by her page and gave it a thumbs up, and even a share of you aren't interested in acquiring a Snuggly. Did I mention she started making these when I got my first ball python, whom she calls her "Grandsnake"? Super cute (apparently that's my new catch phrase)! #ballpython #ballpythonbreeder #ballpythoncommunity #ballpythonlover #ballpythons #snakes #snakesaspets #snakesnugglys #snuggles #dwarfrats #dwarfrattery #dwarfratsareprecious #dwarfratsofig #ratsofinsta #ratsforadoption #ratstagram #cutepets #cute #instacool #instacute #petstagram #petsofinstagram #petoftheday

Here's a quick video on the release of a baby Northern Pacific Rattlesnake I had the pleasure to relocate this morning. The amazing people that found it were able to catch it last night, and held it in a bucket until I could get it this morning. The teens that were there were very eager to learn, and had so many great questions for me! It was fun to do a little crash course on rattlesnake behavior and identification with them. This little danger noodle had to go for a little drive to a new home but same habitat type and still somewhat close to its original home. But now it even has its own creek! 😊 Feel free to call me for rattlesnake relocation. If I am available I'm always happy to help! #rattlesnake #norpac #northernpacificrattlesnake #rattlesnakes #rattlesnakeeducation #nativesnake #rattlesnakerelocateca #nativereptilesnorthamerica #nativereptile #rattlesnakerelocate #rattlesnakerelocatetuolumnecounty #tuolumnecounty #wildlife #wildlifeconservation #wildlifelovers #wildlifeinneed #savethesnakes #snake #snakekeeper #snakesareanimalstoo #herping #herpetology #usark #dowhatyoulove #lovewhatyoudo

⚠️Content Warning Snake Eating⚠️ Twizzler, my baby Northern Rubber Boa, took it's first meal with me! Still not sure if it's male for female as it is still too tiny to tell. I was so surprised to see it be able to eat this whole pinkie mouse. It seems to be settling in well, and is incredibly friendly, it will make a fantastic ambassador animal for my native snake programs. #rubberboa #rubberboasnake #northernrubberboa #northernrubberboa #boa #boalove #boasofinstagram #snakesaspets #snakekeeper #snakesofig #snakelover #usark #usarkmember #herpetology #herps #herpsofinstagram #herping #dowhatyoulove #lovewhatyoudo #exoticpets #reptilebreeder #girlswithreptiles #womenwithreptiles #reptilemom #familypets #reptileworld #reptilefans #herpetofauna #nativesnake #nativeherps

Since Instagram deleted my caption yesterday, here it is again. A quick hyperlapse of my ultrasound process! I use a long tub to contain the snake a little better (sanitized between snakes), gloves (changed out between snakes), and sanitize my probe and chord between snakes as well. I take biosecurity very seriously and am always happy to show my processes. I didn't see any follicular development (beginning of eggs) in Nova (GHI) unfortunately. Probably going to try pairing her in another month just to see what happens. It is her first breeding season as well as the male (Mahogany Special Het Pied) I have been pairing her with. So I think this one may just take time, but it's one of my most anticipated pairings! Hoping to get a male ghi mahogany het pied to put eventually with my mahogany het pied female🤞🏻 Calypso (Super Pastel Yellowbelly), second breeding season (mama to the babies from last year) looked like she DID had some follicular development. I paired her with Taffy (Banana Mystic Het Pied). Seems like a simple pairing but some of the babies from Calypso last year are phenomenal looking so I am curious to see what I'd get in this pairing. This pairing would mostly be for babies to bring to shows, so I won't be heartbroken if she doesn't end up going. That's the only two pairings I'm doing this season. I like to keep my operation small so I can focus on the overall care of my snakes and make sure they have the best quality of life as breeders. It takes me longer to clean their tubs with all the enrichment, and all my biosecurity measures take extra time and money (testing). I also like to handle the babies a lot, I feel it makes the babies more likely to thrive in a pet home or breeder home. So keeping my operation small is imperative for my personal breeding standards. #ballpython #ultrasound #ballpythonsofinstagram #ballpythonbreeder #ballpythoncollection #pythonregius #pythonregiusofinstagram #royalpython #royalpythonmorphs #royalpython

For #motivationmonday I wanted to share this huge first step! I've been working with Norbert, my new very young and very wild caught Halmahera Blue Tongue Skink, for about a month now. When he first came to me he was very defensive, stressed very easy, very hissy and huffy, and did full defensive posture when I tried to interact with him. I'm happy to see my patience and persistence is paying off slowly. He has been making fantastic progress! He even took a dried grasshoppers from my hand the other day. We still have a long way to go, but seeing this progress makes my heart so happy! #halmaherabluey #halmaherabluetongue #halmaheraisland #halmaherabluetongueskink #reptilefanatics #reptileroom #dowhatyoulove #lovewhatyoudo #exoticpets #reptilebreeder #tiliquagigasgigas #skinksofinstagram #girlswithreptiles #womenwithreptiles #reptilemom #familypets #reptileoftheday #exoticreptiles #reptileworld #herpsofinstagram #reptilefans #herpetofauna #reptilekeeper #lizard #lizardsofig

Shortcuts

Address
Alerts
Contact The Business
Videos
Claim ownership or report listing
Want your business to be the top-listed Pet Store/pet Service?

Country:

City: