614 Magazine - Columbus, Ohio

The Wild Side

Unusual pets and their owners

By Megan Burkholder

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The Scaly

If Jordan Conkey asks you to hang out in his basement there's something you should know: Jordan wants to show you his snake. "I've got geckos, frogs, a monitor kimono, and ball pythons." You may be picturing an unruly jungle with pythons swinging from dangling light fixtures and lizards hissing in aggressive postures, but Conkey's reptile basement is rather tame. Each species thrives in its own tank or cage with its own version of kitty litter and bed shavings. Conkey volunteers at Captive Born Reptiles, a pet store specializing in herpetophilia on Morse Road, because he has a passion for these creatures.

"There's a common misperception that reptiles are dangerous and inappropriate," said Conkey. "Reptiles may nip the surface of your skin, but they differentiate humans from food very well."

When ball pythons get scared, there's no menacing, aggressive display of pointy fangs: these sweethearts roll up into a cute, submissive ball.

Conkey's favorite pets are his geckos.

"They're very cool and social. I have one that will come right up to the glass to be held." Another rolls on his belly to be scratched. "There is definitely a bond built," he said.

Reptiles are great for those who live in apartments, which may not allow canines and felines, those who hate barking, and those allergic to dander. For many reptiles, control how much they eat and you'll control how much they grow. Conkey's savanna monitor is a little craftier than his other pets.

"He got out five days ago," said Conkey, who doesn't concern himself with the temporary escape of a 2 1/2-foot lizard.

"He's somewhere in my basement. He'll come back. I'll just leave the door to his cage open," he mused.

The Stinky

While in college, Bobby Fitak got himself a pet skunk and named her Charlotte.

"She was awesome," he said. "She'd sleep on the bed with me. I did have to keep things out of reach from her, lock the cabinets."

Skunks are not for the novice pet owner. They need daily attention and will mischievously turn trash cans and cupboards inside out. In Ohio, it is legal to own a skunk that is bred in captivity, although you must check with your local health department for city law. Once they are de-scented, spayed or neutered, and given the proper vaccines, these animals usually become playful, loving companions. Hypoallergenic, clean, and trained to use the litter box, Charlotte had free reign of the house.

"She would open doors," said Fitak. "I'd be sitting on the toilet and she'd reach under the door and pull it open."

And the Bacon

If you live in Gahanna, you might see a pot-bellied pig on a leash walking the neighborhood. Holding that leash is Ashley.

"I wanted something different, intelligent and trained," she said. "He is really sweet, a little starved for attention; cuddly."

Before Ashley acquired Spazz from a breeder in Bellefontaine, she made sure Gahanna zoning laws would allow a pig for a pet. Most cities, including Columbus require you to obtain a permit.

"[Spazz] is really laid back. He jumps up and wags his tail when we get home," said Ashley, noting that he believes himself to be an "attack pig."

"He gets down on his front paws and growls when someone's at the door," she laughed.

Ashley treats Spazz with a firm hand.

"They test people just like children," she declared. "You have to let them know you're the dominant one."

Contrary to the common belief that pigs are dirty, Spazz is extremely clean.

"He won't use the same spot in his litter box more than once," said Ashley. "We leave a towel next to his bowl and he wipes his face after he's done eating." Sadly, Ashley is moving into an apartment without a yard, and is putting Spazz up for adoption. Adopter beware: Spazz will grow to about 80 pounds - and, cannibalistically, he likes to eat sausage.

Send us your pet photos for our gallery! victoria@614columbus.com

Originally Published: September 1, 2009

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