Jay Brewer and his partner Becky purchased Pet Country, a small pet shop, after they married in 1987. Fountain Valley, California, was not quite a mecca for reptile fans at the time. Brewer, a longstanding enthusiast of salamanders, snakes, and other creepy crawlies, recognized an opportunity and set aside a section of the store for other devotees, providing high-quality pets and the tools required to take good care of them.
This area of the Brewers’ shop had such high traffic that it was essentially independent. As a result, Pet Country’s reptile section was officially closed, and Prehistoric Pets was born as a distinct specialty shop in 1988.
Brewer has since added to the original Prehistoric Pets, turning it into a 5,000-square-foot space that houses both a zoo and shop space. Numerous visitors who aren’t looking to adopt a pet or buy pet food instead come to the shop on any given day to learn more about the enormous diversity of species that Brewer and his employees care for. The business is home to thousands of creatures on any particular day.
While sitting in a giant container of massive pythons, Jay begins filming a segment for social media. It doesn’t take long for one of the snakes to lunge at the cameraman, leaving Brewer giggling at the cameraman’s reaction.
It’s not unusual for people to be afraid of snakes. According to recent studies, humans have an intrinsic propensity to perceive snakes and spiders and to develop a fear of them. Technically, the camera person was reacting naturally!
Python Facts
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Some of the biggest serpents on the planet are pythons. These large, non-venomous snakes can grow to a length of 33 feet and a weight of 7 ounces to 250 pounds. Based on the species, pythons can live in a variety of settings, but many smaller individuals prefer to find refuge in trees where they can use their tails to grip onto branches.
In order to move forward in rectilinear fashion, pythons straighten their ribs, elevate a set of scales on their abdomen, and pull those scales forward so that the loose ends may grab the ground and propel them forward. However, they move very slowly, going about one mile per hour.
The most enjoyable aspect of Prehistoric Pets, in Brewer’s opinion, is being able to teach people about his beloved creatures. He is constantly seeking new ways to spread information about everything from the method by which snakes shed their skin to how crocodiles eat to snakes giving birth!
It’s fairly common for a snake to strike at someone during feeding time; it’s just hungry and agitated. Many snakes commonly strike as they prepare to shed their skin, which is another common occurrence. This is because they are more vulnerable then.
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