TITUSVILLE, Fla. — It won’t come as a surprise to most that studies show the animals people fear most are creatures such as snakes, spiders, and insects.

What You Need To Know

  • Scales and Tails is a mobile animal encounter that brings creatures to consumers

  • Some 30 species travel Central Florida to teach people about reptiles

  • Guests get to touch, hold and learn about rats, snakes, spiders and lizards

  • Owner Kate Contreras teachs people to appreciate the unappreciated animals

To get over that fear, one Central Florida woman is introducing people, especially children, to animals that most people are afraid of.

For the past three years, Kate Contreras of Titusville has been traveling around Central Florida hoping to introduce what many feel are unlovable animals.

“I’m a mobile reptile invertebrate petting zoo,” said Contreras.

Contreras travels in her animal bus, that looks more like public transportation, driving around animals such as pythons, rats, goats, tarantulas, exotic lizards, tortoises, some 30 different species, for guests to interact with one-on-one.

“They are the animals most people would say, oh get that away from me. And I have always had a particular draw to them,” said Contreras.

Contreras’ goal is to introduce exotic reptiles to people and show them that there is nothing to be afraid of when it comes to animals like snakes.

The self-described animal lover wants her clients to touch, hold and even carry around the animals she travels with.

“I come across these people that have these deep-rooted fears of snakes, and they don’t necessarily know why. They don’t know why, they just have this fear. You can see the fear melt away. And they see the beauty of these animals,” said Contreras.

Many of her traveling animals are rescues that pet owners grew tired of their favorite lizard, snake or even farm animal.

“I get a lot of rescues, so a lot of nursing them back to health. And giving them the best life that they can,” she said.

Esther Eisler, Contreras’ mom, sometimes accompanies her daughter and her traveling animal encounters, giving guests food to feed the creatures.

“She has always loved animals, so to see her get to do what she loves, it is a blessing to me,” said Eisler.

Some of Contreras’ most popular animal encounters include a whip scorpion, savannah monitor and various pythons.

“These are the experiences they take with them into adulthood,” said Contreras.

Scales and Tails travels to schools, birthday parties and even hold summer camps.

Pricing will vary depending on how many animals you want to interact with.

For reservations and to find out more visit Scales and Tails.