Sierra Scales Exotics (2025)

09/04/2025

Met the tiniest salamander I’ve ever seen last night! Sierra Nevada Ensatina (Ensatina eschscholtzii) —one of nature’s most perfect masterpieces!

02/04/2025

I think my favorite part about herpetoculture is replicating my animals habitats, and doing it in a way that they still exhibit natural behaviors.

In the case of Zorro, my permitted wild caught, California Mountain Kingsnake (Lampropeltis zonata), I made every effort to replicate perfectly the habitat I found him in, which was the forest not far from my backyard.

From the decomposed granite and pine needle duff hand mixed substrate, to the rock pile of granite and basalt that I constructed in a way that is sturdy but also has plenty of cracks and crevices for him to hide in. I also added some manzanita branches, some oak bark, some pinecones, and some various lichens and mosses.

Over the years, prior to finding him, I had people tell me they don't make interesting pets, you never see them, and they are picky eaters. Zorro is the exact opposite of all of that.

I see him out all the time, basking on his rock plie or branches, causing through the tunnels he made through his substrate, and chilling in the subterranean hiding place I made him at the front of his tank, he has three places to hide but in this one I can still see him. He is incredibly interactive, inquisitive, calm, and eats frozen thawed mice like he was raised on them.

All this to say, there's something about that feeling of satisfaction in knowing that this special species feels safe in the captive habitat I made for him. Safe enough to openly bask on his rock pile while in shed, which in the wild is the most vulnerable time for them, and if they are not extremely careful, they are easily predated.

The fact that he feels that safe makes my heart so happy! And I love that I get to see my beautiful snake more than I ever expected to!

26/03/2025

ONLY 23 SPOTS LEFT!

🎉Enter the Spin to Win to support my small business and to get chances to win the following prizes:

1st place gets all you see in the photo. (Tee Shirt Or hoodie, Waterbottle, mug, calendar, signed print of an ambassador animal, and a sticker pack.)

2nd place gets a calendar and sticker pack.

3rd place gets a sticker pack.

Three winners in spin to win with 50 spots, and each spot on the wheel is 10 bucks.

🙌Please feel free to SHARE or COMMENT so this makes it past the algorithm!

❗Those who have entered already: send me your address in message or text, and let me know which sticker you'd like!

Blank numbers below are available spots:

1 Randy James
2 Mel Souza
3 Terri Sheffield
4 Alyssa Smith
5 Lynne Bird
6
7 Lynne Bird
8 Randy James
9 Riley Nicole
10 Hailey Lynn Hassen
11
12 Terri Sheffield
13 Alyssa Smith
14
15 Darnelle Brown
16
17 Terri Sheffield
18 Hailey Lynn Hassen
19 Aaron James
20
21 Alyssa Smith
22
23
24
25
26 Alyssa Smith
27 Etthereal Artist
28 Casey Mainguth
29 Lynne Bird
30
31
32 Darnelle Brown
33 Terri Sheffield
34
35
36 Randy James
37
38 Alyssa Smith
39
40
41
42 Aaron James
43
44
45 Alyssa Smith
46
47
48
49
50 Randy James

24/03/2025

Over the course of the last two months, every birthday party program I did, at least one kid if not more, would excitedly ask if I had a bearded dragon. And I had to watch the disappointment wash over their faces when I said I did not.

So guess what?! I listened, and by popular request, we now have a bearded dragon to add to our programs!

Meet Cleo (short for Cleopatra because obviously she is royalty)—the baby beardie She is incredibly sweet tempered, and ready to educate and charm. She is missing the very tip of her tail from a little nip from one of her siblings as a littler baby, but it doesn't affect her one bit!

What would you like to learn about bearded dragons? Drop your questions below! 🦎❤️

Thank you to for this gorgeous little derp.

08/03/2025

SMALL BUSINESS FUNDRAISER to help with remainder of start up costs!

✨Sierra Scales Exotics, LLC✨

For those new here, I’ve started a reptile and amphibian education business in my little corner of the world—right in the beautiful foothills of the central Sierra Nevada mountains.

This has been a dream in the making for a long time, but started taking shape in the past 5 years.

I’ve been working to gather the animals, their enclosures, their travel enclosures, educational materials, Birthday party materials, design software, website fees, and more...

But I could use some help with the following:

Liability insurance ($1,000)

Business licenses ($200)

Chamber of Commerce Memberships ($300)

Special permits for animal exhibition ($600)

To everyone who has supported my journey—whether by cheering me on, sharing my content, or simply being excited about my critters—thank you. It truly means the world to me.

🫶 WHY A FUNDRAISER?

My day job as a federal employee may not be a reality much longer due to mass layoffs and forced resignations. While I had planned to save my way toward these final steps, I may not have time to do so before I find myself without another means to support myself. Without insurance, I can’t offer many of the programs that would allow the business to sustain itself.

I don’t take asking for help lightly, and I promise that every cent will go exactly where I say it will. If you believe in my mission to educate about wildlife conservation, reptiles, and more, or enjoy my content, or just love seeing my happy critters, I’d be deeply grateful for your support. Plus, I’ve put together some fantastic prizes as a thank-you!

Message me if you'd like to enter the ✨spin to win✨ or chat about any of this!

Please share this with friends, and comment if you want help my post get seen! ♥️🙌🥰

🎉Three winners in spin to win with 85 spots on the wheel, and each spot on the wheel is 10 bucks.

1st place gets all you see in the photo. (Tee Shirt Or hoodie, Waterbottle, mug, calendar, signed print of an ambassador animal, and a sticker pack.)

2nd place gets a calendar and sticker pack.

3rd place gets a sticker pack.

24/02/2025

🎉BIG UPDATES🎉

SMALL BUSINESS FUNDRAISER

As of 2/17/2025 I made the biggest step towards my dreams, and am now the proud owner of:

✨Sierra Scales Exotics, LLC!✨

For those new here, I’ve started a reptile and amphibian education business in my little corner of the world—right in the beautiful foothills of the central Sierra Nevada mountains.

This has been a dream in the making for the past five years. I’ve been working hard to gather everything I need, from the animals and enclosures to educational materials, design software, website fees, and more. Now, I’m just a few steps away from making it fully operational.

What I still need:

Liability insurance ($1,000)

Business licenses for various cities I plan to serve

Chamber of Commerce memberships

Special permits for animal shows ($600)

To everyone who has supported my journey—whether by cheering me on, sharing my content, or simply being excited about my critters—thank you. It truly means the world to me.

I also know that some people want to support but aren’t sure how, so I’ve created a fun way to get involved!

🫶 Why I’m Running This Fundraiser

My day job as a federal employee may not be a reality much longer due to mass layoffs and forced resignations. While I had planned to save my way toward these final steps, I may not have time to do so before I find myself without another means to support myself. Without insurance, I can’t offer many of the programs that would allow the business to sustain itself.

I don’t take asking for help lightly, and I promise that every cent will go exactly where I say it will. If you believe in my mission, enjoy my content, or just love seeing my happy critters, I’d be deeply grateful for your support. Plus, I’ve put together some fantastic prizes as a thank-you!

🙌 What Sierra Scales Exotics Will Provide:

🐍 Live Reptile, Amphibian, and Invertebrate Education Programs – Schools, libraries, public & private events, birthday parties, and more!

🦎 Virtual Education Programs – Available nationwide for schools, camps, preschools, daycares, and libraries.

🐢 Rattlesnake Education & Relocation – Abatement consultations and relocation services.

🐸 Guided Adventures – Learn herping techniques, photography skills, and more!

🐍 Reptiles for Rent – Perfect for photographers and local fundraising events.

🦎 Books & Educational Resources – Writing and selling care guides, trackers, printed resources, and artwork.

🐢 Pet Consultations & Classes – Help with reptile, amphibian, and invertebrate care.

🐸 Custom Terrariums – Background builds, bioactive setups, and more.

Want to Support & Win Some Cool Stuff?

💲🔟= 1 entry in the Spin to Win, unlimited entries!

Message me to enter, or send your entry(s) via Venmo -Gelhaus with your preferred entry number chosen from the available list in the comments.

🥇1st Place Winner Gets:

👉 Choice of Hoodie or T-shirt (15 colors)
👉 2025 Sierra Scales Exotics Calendar
👉 32oz Insulated Aluminum Water Bottle (White or Contour Map Design)
👉 20oz Ceramic Mug (Contour Map Design)
👉 8"x10" Photo of Your Favorite Ambassador Animal (Signed by the Animal!)
👉 Full Set of Vinyl Stickers I’ve Designed

🥈 2nd Place Winner Gets:

👉 2025 Sierra Scales Exotics Calendar
👉 11oz Ceramic Mug (Contour Map Design)
👉 5"x7" Photo of Your Favorite Ambassador Animal (Signed)
👉 Full Set of Vinyl Stickers

🥉 3rd Place Winner Gets:

👉 4"x6" Photo of Your Favorite Ambassador Animal (Signed)
👉 Full Set of Vinyl Stickers

I've updated the fundraiser to have three prize winners, added prizes, and only 85 spots instead of 150, giving you even better odds of winning! Open spots will be listed in the comments.

Thank you for being part of this journey with me! Your support—whether through sharing, cheering me on, or entering—is what makes this dream possible.

Pics of examples of the prizes! Hoping to get this filled up by Friday, and spin the wheel on Saturday!

12/02/2025

I had so much fun networking and making some new friends at the Small Business Showcase event last night!

This was my first time putting myself out there at one of these kinds of events/ mixers. I met a few people I've chatted online with, and some I've just seen ads for their businesses, and it was neat to put faces to names.

Overall, I don't think Calypso scared off TOO many people, and she was held by a few people that haven't ever held or touched a snake before.

I LIVE for those moments when negative perceptions become fascination. I cannot express how much I love what I do in words! 🥰

So grateful was willing to share a table with the "weird reptile girl." Definitely check out her plants if you haven't already, she has a shop in Twain Harte next to the Library! She had a lovely Painted Lady Philodendron I was eyeballing the whole time, but did not come home with me, but I tell you it was GORGEOUS! Check out her stuff, she had so many great bioactive tank sized plants. I will definitely be getting some in the near future!

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

Sierra Scales Exotics