Image provided by: Texas A&M University
About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (May 13, 1981)
THE BATTALION WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1981 Local / State Exotic pets gain popularity nationally and locally By GRETCHEN RATLIFF Battalion Reporter Along with the wide variety of people in the cities of Bryan and College Station, an even wider variety of pets can be found, and not just the typical dogs or cats. A 14-inch Texas Plated lizard that will eat out of its owner’s hand or an albino ferret are some of the pets found locally. Ownership of exotic pets has $20 COULD GO FARTHER THAN YOU THINK! If you are a person who needs to travel, $20 could lead to a boost in your business. That's how little it costs to find out all about learning to fly with our special CPC Discovery Flight. The Cessna Pilot Center System represents the best way in the world to learn to fly. It provides the perfect combination of ground instruction and actual flying time. Your $20 dollar Discovery Flight will put you in the pilot’s seat flying an airplane under the guidance of a professional Cessna Pilot Centerflight instructor. Your$20 Discovery Flight might take you farther than you think. So, find out for yourself! Come out and see us today! BRAZOS AVIATION 696-8767 EASTERWOOD AIRPORT COLLEGE STATION been on a national upswing, and Bryan and College Station have their fair share of these animals. “Usually something like a re ptile, tarantulas, or scorpions are considered exotics, ” Harold Mog- ford, assistant manager of Animal World Inc., said. The list also in cludes monkeys, armadillos, skunks, ferrets, lions, and some birds. However, Charles Honeycutt, an animal control officer of Bryan, said that large exotic animals, such as bears, tigers, or lions, are prohi bited from being kept within the city limits. Honeycutt said he has been cal led to pick up animals ranging from boa constrictors to a 325- pound lion. “He was just like a big old housecat,” he said. College Station, however, has no city ordinances regarding the ownership of exotics. But T. R. Preston, a warrant officer in Col lege Station, said a person should contact the Humane Society, the police, and even city directors be fore bringing in a large animal. Victor L. Camp, currator of mammals at the Houston Zoo, said that when exotic pet owners can no longer handle their animals, many of them call the zoo for help. “We can’t take them,” Camp said. For this reason, he said, the freebie, a Texas Plated more commonly known as an gator lizard. He said that the only ti rae considers his lizard, Lick, anrf lem is in the winter when u! The exotic Chinese Water Dragon is imported from the Far East and has a lifespan of more Staff photo by Greg Gammon than 20 years. The reptile sells for approxi mately $40 at a local pet shop. zoo won’t sell exotic animals to pri vate individuals. He said that people who obtain exotics have a responsibility to the animal, and that they are obli gated to see that they get proper care, including trips to the veter- ffirfSP 15% current rates for summer lease. Call Jean or Shirley now. 693-6716 1601 Holleman, College Station, Texas 77840 * - No long lines. No congested traffic. V We’re the most convenient bank in College Station. If you live in the southern part of College Station, the Southwest Parkway area or Southwood Val ley, you’ll find we’re conveniently located. In fact, you may drive past us everyday. We’re convenient and we want your business. We’ll see that you spend less time at the bank and still get service you need and deserve. Commerce National Bank Member FDIC 2405 Texas Avenue South College Station. Texas 693-6930 inarian for wing clipping, for de- clawing, and for vaccinations. Because many exotics may have severe reactions to common drugs, most local veterinarians re fer them to the small animal clinic at Texas A&M University. Besides the costs of food and medical attention, there is the cost of the animals themselves to con sider. Often the greatest cost is the initial purchase price. Tracy Rickard and John Pegues co-own a double yellow-headed Amazon parrot named Zip. They said they consider his purchase price a real bargain — $500. On the other hand, some exo tics may come free for the catch ing. Frank Lubrano has a worm snake and two water snakes, all of which he caught himself. His four- foot bull snake, Ert, was a birth day present. Lubrano said he thinks snakes are great. “I’ve been around them all my life,” he said. He said it costs him around $8 a month to feed mice to the bull snake, but that he catches insects for the others to eat. He said the snakes he catches tame down easily, and that they are basically clean animals. Howard Marquise agreed that snakes make good pets. He has had his four-foot boa constrictor, Louie, since last June. has to get out and feed him. “He is preuy int watch, Jackson said ofhisHi; long pet. He said he caught three years ago, and that was t only time it has bitten him “He’ll eat out of my handno* he said. Becky Carson and Rjcy Roeth own an albino ferret k named Ferret. “She is impossible to pai train,” she said, “andsheals to use the couch as post.” Maxine, on the other wouldn’t cause problems shredded couches becauses been declawed and defa. Maxine is a six-month-oldbol owned by Hector Gomez. “She handles like an on cat, the majority of the Gomez said. She By L Bat Back whe spresident, F scratch; quite aggressive when shephi he said. “They’re not like a dog or a cat ... they don’t need the constant attention,” Marquise said. He also said that the price for a six-inch boa may start at $45, in this area. The mice they eat cost approximately $2 per month, he said. Glenn Schroeter paid only $15 for his Mexican Red-legged taran tula and pays nothing for the crick ets he feeds them. The tarantula, named Smithii, whose fangs are Vi-inch long, has a bite that would be no more toxic than a bee sting, but would hurt a lot more, Schroeter said. “The chances of getting bitten by this spider are about as good as getting bitten by your pet dog, ” he said. Robert Jackson’s pet is another He said that a person hasto really patient and understa with a bobcat, especially to its trust. Patient and underst® landlords are an asset as wellwQ dealing with the questionofke^ ing an exotic in an apartment. Scott Jackson, an employee Arbor Square Apartments, at that while dogs, cats, and large animals are prohibited,t!» do have some birds and snalta He said they just don’t wantpr. that would create a messfortk next person. < Rene Soedge, a leasing agenli Briarwood Apartments, said “t long as the snakes are contained and the birds don’t tear anytfa up, we really don’t mind more] them.” However, Penny VonRoedft an employee at Taos ApartmejH said they don’t allow pets of ip kind. Especially not snakes, sti said, because “they tendtojjii the maintenance people attacks.” Jim Law; Cadets 1; policema House passes bill to let police give tickets ' for misdem eanors United Press International AUSTIN — A bill allowing policemen to issue citations for some misdemeanor violations rather than making arrests was given final approval in the House Tuesday, despite arguments it opened the way for discrimination and corruption. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Bill Blanton, D-Pasadena, would allow a law officer to issue a cita tion in lieu of the person appear ing before a magistrate judge. The measure, which passed 85-58 after bitter debate, is designed to alle viate overcrowding in county and local jails. The person issued a citatid would have to give proof ofTei residency and sign a notice proc ising to appear in court. Rowevs if a person refused to sign notice or was wanted on an of standing warrant, he would j* arrested and taken before judge to set bail. Rep. Wilhelmina Deb, D Austin, opposed the bill, s? vmf ' gave police officers the r.^. “pick and choose whotheynw l going to arrest. 3 ei ave The citation procedure wool: apply for misdemeanor violatw- ranging from homosexual con to prostitution to disorderly c® duct. Most of the violations» vered would be Class C nu* f meanors with a few being Cass- violations. MONDAY EVENING TUESDAY EVENING SPECIAL SPECIAL Salisbury Steak with Mexican Fiesta Dinner Mushroom Gravy Two Cheese and Onion Enchiladas Whipped Potatoes w chili Youi Choice of Mexican Rice One Vegetable Patio Style Pinto Beans Roll or Corn Bread and Butter Tostadas Coffee or Tea Coffee or Tea One Corn Bread and Butter Now Better Than Ever. You Will Be Pleased With These Carefully Prepared and Taste Tempting Foods Each Daily Special Only $2.13 Plus Tax. “Open Daily” Dining: 11 A.M,to 1:30 P.M. —4:00 P.M. to7:00P M WEDNESDAY EVENING SPECIAL Chicken Fried Steak w cream Gravy Whipped Potatoes and Choice of one other Vegetable Roll or Corn Bread and u Coffee or Tea THURSDAY EVENING SPECIAL Italian Candle Light Spaghetti Dinner SERVED WITH SPiCEDMEAT BALLS AND SAUCE Parmesan Cheese - Tossed Green Salad Choice of Salad Dressing - Hot Garlic Bread Tea or Coffee FOR YOUR PROTECTION OUR PERSONNEL HAVE HEALTH CARDS. ^ SUNDAY SPECIAL NOON and EVENING ROAST TURKEY D'NNFB //-w/4 VA/lth FRIDAY EVENING SPECIAL BREADED FISH FILET w/TARTAR SAUCE Cole Slaw Hush Puppies Choice of one vegetable Roll or Corn Bread & Butter Tea or Coffee SATURDAY NOON and EVENING SPECIAL Yankee Pot Roast (Texas Salad) Mashed Potato w gravy Roll or Corn Bread & Butter Tea or Coffee (“Quality First”i