Birmingham Reptiles — Local services in Birmingham

It really pains me to write this. I have dealt with this shop off and on over the years and no doubt at all, they know their stuff and the stock is well cared for and fairly priced. In fact, a round trip for me was pushing 60 miles, and I was prepared to do this such was my opinion of the place. So, why the poor review all of a sudden?

I popped in recently to get my tree boa probed. The older lady (Monica I think) 'helped' and I was asked to hold the head. Now, for those not familiar with Amazon tree boas, they are bloody aggressive snakes but they are also incredibly slender with a pencil thin neck and it is easy to actually dislodge the skull from the spine if roughly handled. So while more than happy to help, I approached with caution as I had no intention of killing my snake. Monica was INCREDIBLY rude and kept barking at me to 'hold the head love'. I could clearly tell she was getting annoyed with me by the tone. To be fair she was pretty stand-offish from the moment I walked in and barely cracked a smile.

Also, maybe it's me but I don't like being called 'love'. I found it patronising, old-fashioned and just plain rude. Anyhow, I did my level best to hold the head without seriously injuring my snake and sustained a number of bites. Not unexpected at all and luckily I wore my snake gloves but one bite did still penetrate my hoodie into my arm. Proof in itself that I was holding the head at my end and keeping it away from Monica as she was trying to probe the snake.

Anyway, Monica probes the snake, tells me the sex and then just buggers off leaving me stood there like a lemon. A very cold individual indeed. I left my donation (a very generous £10) and left feeling like I was in the wrong for some reason for failing to hold a very delicate species properly because I CARE AND DON'T WANT TO KILL HIM.

I had the same snake booked in for boarding when I go on holiday but, I'm sorry, not happening. I'm sure he would be very well cared for but I just can't condone putting money into the pockets of someone so unbearably rude so I have booked my snake in somewhere else.

I am genuinely sorry for having to write this and I will not be putting my custom the way of this shop again. Not that it was a lot to begin with but its a matter of principal. We're all in this hobby together and I have years under my belt and I don't like being barked at to hold the head of an animal I'm trying not to hurt whilst being referred to as 'love'. Hardly what I would...

Such a shame and I totally understand you looking after your own staff and protecting them how ever im disappointed, having traveled from Telford to shirley aquatics and wanted to stop in on you guys before jumping on m6 because I had head such good reviews and things about apparently being the best reptile center in brum. I planned my route to stop and have a look last thing before closing in Sunday at 3.35 as they close at 4pm and was hoping the shop wouldn't be busy. And Again I understand with covid it's about protecting staff and public. How ever and a disabled person who is has a visible lanyard and hidden disability card in full view that I always wear., Over the last three weekend I've visited quiet s few reptiles centres shops and not once was told I couldn't go in to have look around. Again I totally understand protecting staff even though visibly you could see the staff not wearing maskes. The lady at the desk to be fair was polite about it and wasnt snotty or rude and spoke professional about not going in to have a look, She said if there was anything I'm after they could bring it down to me. Obviously as a new owner of baby bearded dragon I want everything lol. So the thought waiting while some members staff runs back forth showing me stuff is a strange idea. Any way having seen all the amazing reviews it is sutch a shame I couldn't have had a look around. Wouldn't say I'm angry just disappointed as was looking forward to looking around and spending some money with you guys. Who knows maybe next time I'm passing and you change your rules become let's face it covid isnt going away soon but seen as every other establishment doesn't refuse customers that are exempt again not through I guess designed to offend customers but to protect. Having three snakes a crested geko a yemon chomelan and now a baby bearded dragon I was looking forward to viewing your vivarium and stock. Again leaving not angry but frustrated as again heard so many good...

Brap has been a long standing member of the reptile hobbyist community. Run and managed by a family unit and their team of dedicated staff, it has been a staple in education and welfare. Unlike other businesses that sell them self as a jack of all trades, Brap are dedicated Reptile specialists with years of old school and new school information and a huge ethical stand point for their sales of all animals big and small. The team spans all types of care knowledge from tarantulas and other arachnids to amphibian, lizard, snake and all sorts of species housed and sold from the premise. They are happy to provide time and care to new and old customers and they really do have a wealth of information between them all. There's really no where else in Birmingham that can rival their care AND drive to sell animals ONLY with or in to the right welt up. It is still of course a business and a business needs to make money to stay open, I'm happy to say the prices are competitive and very very good. Dry goods for your reptile and other pets needs are met in abundance, frozen food, and a vast selection of live insects which are cleaned daily and come with their own boosting products to help them last even longer. Support local- support ethical- support high welfare-...