City Reptiles - hope street belfast

 

City Reptiles - hope street belfast

City Reptiles is not good imo. They tell you the wrong information and are incredibly rude, And i've had alot of people say the same thing. Luckily i know what im doing with my lizards and didnt take his advise (i just went into get something quickly as a last mintue resort i never usually go there). I could go into a rant about it but i wont :lol2:!

 

Furles Friends in Derry and Reptile World in Bangor.

 

Reptile in Larne, excellent place....... There's also a place in Carrick near the train station run by a guy called Gary. (can't remember the name of it...lol..)......: victory:

 

Carrick, is it not closed down ?

 

Was still going the last i heard..........

 

Totally love you guys!
I live in newtownards, so they all pretty close.
Probably go to reptile city, heard good things. They dont do CCP tho

 

I'd go up to Bangor or Derry myself mate... and I live in Belfast. What is CCP?

 

City Reptiles...

are very good IMO.
Only ever got good advice from them. Their advice helped heal my royals ongoing prolapse. After the *local* reptile vet aggrivated the problem......

 

are very good IMO.
Only ever got good advice from them. Their advice helped heal my royals ongoing prolapse. After the *local* reptile vet aggrivated the problem......

What Vet did you use?

 

just because they have been open longer does not necessarily mean they are any better than others

 

well considering they have been open for about 20 years now, they have more experience than anybody else in the field and really do know their stuff. This would be one of the main reasons they have survived this long, not to mention their key location within the heart of belfast. There are other good places like cold heart exotics (apart from the fact all of the guys animals are ridden with mites), and the guy in larne only has good knolwledge of royals, (and his colleague thinks that you can feed beardies ham). City Reptiles is definately the best at what they do. Also the fact that these people actually study reptiles and give herpetology lectures in queens leads me to believe that they know alot more than any of the others in ireland. Not to mention the fact that there are no other reptile shops that can say they have been open for 20 years over here. most close down within the first 6 months to a year.

 

Cold Heart Exotics in lisburn

 

Have to agree, the guys in city reptiles know there stuff and have always been very helpful to me. The fella Wayne who owns it is a really nice fella, Brian can come accross a bit weird, but he's just as helpful. You just have to look at the way they care for their reps, they are all spotless!
Reptile in Larne is great too, and Aidy knows his stuff, not just about Royals!

 

Reptile in Larne is great too, and Aidy knows his stuff, not just about Royals!

yeah aidi is a great guy, what i meant to say was he specialises in royals. not that that is all he knows.

 

Could you tell me in which department Brian lectures. The reason I ask is because I have very strong links with multiple departments in Queen's and never once heard his name mentioned.

 

as far as i am aware he sometimes would lecture alongside michael griffith from the jubilee veterinary practice in newtownards, i cant remember what department they lecture within. as for cold heart exotics we acquired a boa there and it had mites, 140 pound for a mite ridden snake, i was not impressed. also they can be quite hard to spot especially on darker snakes etc. anyway, its really each to his own, everybody prefers certain reptile shops as opposed to others for their own reasons so you really could argue all day and night about who is the best. in my opinion id have to say i would go to city reptiles over any other, one of the reasons being it is just down the road from us and know the staff there very well.

 

Thats interesting. What qualifications does he have to justify teaching? I am not attacking anyone here. I am simply very curious. Lecturing at the University level generally requires a minimum of a masters degree, and most often a PhD.

I would also like to stick up for Cold Hearted Reptiles. I have known the owner for a long time. He is extremely knowledgable regarding lizards, especially chameleons. I was extremely impressed with the shop when I saw it in July when I was over. They had some great animals, and fantastic accessories. I can imagine other shops will see it as a threat. As far as mites go, well, when I worked in City Reptiles are 2002 or 2003 the shop continually had to treat for mites. That is the problem when you buy in animals from exporters and have animals on bark chips, etc. Unless strict quarantine procedures are in place you will get mites at some point or another.

Warren

 

well wev been going there for about 2 years and our animals havnt had mites, but then again you will get animals with mites now and then. cold heart exotics is a really nice place and to be honest them and reptile in larne have way more exotic animals in there than city reptiles do. but because we got our boa from there and it had mites wev decided not to go back because of it. plus wev been hearing stories about it having animals ridden with mites as well.
as for the university thingy, iv no idea what exactly brian lectures in as he only told us that he lectures there and nothing else.
and fair enough some ppl dont like city reptiles. maybe its cuz of bad advice or some other thing, but hey. im just defending wayne and brian as theyre close mates with us thats all. no more arguing please!! lol

 

Shops I've had experiences with and would recommend:

Reptile specialists:
City Reptile Belfast
Reptile Larne
Cold Heart Exotics Lisburn
Reptile World Bangor ( Havent visited shop yet but have spoken to ower on phone and seems knowledgeable)
Myself obviously lol.... 'Furless Friends' L'Derry
Reptile Haven (Dublin)

General Pets shops with small exotics sections:
Pets R Us Limavady

I'm sure I've missed someone but if i have I'll update later when I remember

Please remember guys and this isnt making excuses. Mites in shops is an awful thing and its extremely disheartening for owners when all your quarantine work etc goes down the pan BUT its easily treated and gotten dealt with. In a shop enviroment its extrememly hard for you to guard against this.

Case in point:
I had a regular come into me and ask to see a boa I had in shop. Brought him out, let him handle it and as I was putting him back in he states ' Your lucky mine is crawling with mites right now and its a pain in the arse'. My face dropped and quickly asked when the last handling time etc was... right before he left to come to shop. There and then the entire shop got treated that night with frontline even though I use preditory mites every 3 months as a precautionary measure. If he hadnt of mentioned that then mites COULD have been introduced.

If you notice them in a shop... quietly mention it to staff/the owner/manager. if they care they will appreciate the heads up.

End of lecture lol...... ANYWAY theeres the shops I'd wholeheartedly recommend

 

Please tell me no one tried to harm bob:devil:

 

ok i have never claimed 2 lecture at queens so warren wind it in i have worked with prof shaw from queens who specialises in frogs and venoms. i also give lectures at greenmount vetinary nursing college. i also give proffessional development talks for vetinary nurses. i did not have a degree 2go study cockroaches. i also appologise 2 the person i upset this was not intended if brought 2 my attention at the time i am man enough to appoligise on the spot when i am wrong. good 2 hear from you warren surprised 2 hear you over in july and never called in to see old friends

 

reg jaguar carpet python female forsale if intrested contact me at

tackle5@hotmail.co.uk

 

Would just like to point out,The owner of cold heart actually learned everything he knows from city reptiles,SO GUESS WHAT they couldnt be that bad !!!Infact i would go as far as saying they are by far the best run shop in NI!!A guy called victor opened the shop,Then a guy called andy took over and Billy,Oh and warren did you not used 2 work there?hmm...!Wayne owns it now and this guy knows his stuff worked there for like ever....Ive been going to the shop for around 12years..Brian well you just need to know how to take him hes abit of a joker,But gettng something wrong about a beardie wouldnt be like him he really does know his stuff!!

 

I have to say, I have yet to find any reptile shop (out of those I have been in) other than Coast To Coast in Darlington, that I don't have some problem with. Maybe I'm just particular?!

I have spoken to two guys in City Reptiles. One, the first time I went in there, who was extremely helpful and friendly, although I didn't ask about animals, was only buying 'stuff'. The other who thinks he knows it all (but doesn't!) and was, quite frankly, a bit rude. I hate the fact that they have unguarded bulbs in there and I am also pretty sure I have seen pythons/boas co-habited also. Not a good example to customers. I also feel the selection of animals is poor and the vivs are over-crowded.

I have used Reptile in Larne, which although all over the place at the moment due to the imminent move, I assume, is good, and Ady is lovely. I have only really spoken to him about Royals though. Bought a few Royals from there and been very pleased with them.

I mostly use Cold Heart in Lisburn, and although it is a bit small, and the selection of 'accessories' could be better (have noticed this improving though) I like it in there. I have bought a couple of snakes in there, and my friend also bought her boa there, and I have had no problems at all. Mark is also extremely helpful at locating anything you want but isn't in stock.

 

I have been to all the afore mentioned shops, city reptiles mostly because of its location and Wayne has always been helpful in getting me things that I need, Brian has his off days- but you get used to him after a while!:lol2:

Ady in larne is fantastic, he has sourced me some royal morphs in the past at a decent price and his shop is always clean and tidy. Great selection also not just the usual beardies and cornsnakes. He is a really friendly guy who knows his stuff, he has always been very good to me. And I am nearly sure peops, that he has decided to stay where he is for now?! Will have to get that checked out!

Cold Heart has a fab selection of animals, have never seen mites but its bound to affect a shop at some point. Mark is v helpful and will get you anything that you want-within reason of course! I got my red bar chameleon from him and he is doing fantastic and he likes to get updates on him which shows he actually cares!

Furless also has a nice selection of animals, I know he is in the middle of a refit at he mo so a bit hectic for him but will be up to have a nosey soon enough!

 

City Reptiles

I have to say that the best reptile shop I have been to so far is city reptiles.

Like everyone else says they're clean as a whistle whereas any other reptile shop I've seen have never been spot cleaned the skin of the animals last shed is left in their to rot not to mention the faeces. Yes they do come off a bit weird but I do think they know their stuff.

However one time they refused me to get a bulb guard for my reptiles as he said Kings and Royals (which is what I have) wont go anywhere near the bulb. They also told me I only need one hide in the tank (one in the cool end none in the warm) and that thermostats weren't necessary and that I shouldn't buy one. I'm not sure if this information is true but if they are willing to lose money by giving good information I'm sure that they are passionate about reptiles and because of that city reptiles is my first choice every time.
:2thumb:

 

I have to say that the best reptile shop I have been to so far is city reptiles.

Like everyone else says they're clean as a whistle whereas any other reptile shop I've seen have never been spot cleaned the skin of the animals last shed is left in their to rot not to mention the faeces. Yes they do come off a bit weird but I do think they know their stuff.

However one time they refused me to get a bulb guard for my reptiles as he said Kings and Royals (which is what I have) wont go anywhere near the bulb. They also told me I only need one hide in the tank (one in the cool end none in the warm) and that thermostats weren't necessary and that I shouldn't buy one. I'm not sure if this information is true but if they are willing to lose money by giving good information I'm sure that they are passionate about reptiles and because of that city reptiles is my first choice every time.
:2thumb:

No, it's not true and it's very dangerous information for a shop to be giving out. Royals can, will and do wrap themselves around bulbs, and can even get burnt on heat mats.

You also need a thermostat with any heat source, have a look at the sticky at the top of the snakes forum.

 

jungle world ballymeena

 

Petshop Owner Convicted At Ballymena Court

:whistling2:

 

Balyhack

I have never been to quite a few of these other reptile shops as I am only 15 years of age and quite obviously cannot drive yet and wouldn't see my mother volunteering to take me there. Anyway because of this I haven't got much to compare on. So I am not getting at any reptile shops and CHE sounds like a good place however I would definately reccomend going to city reptiles the people in their arnt ignorant or anything thats just the way they speak and I respect them for that as being a local :lol2: anyway I find them very helpful and knowledgeable so I wouldn't judge them before you actually go there yourself. just give them a try first and if you don't like it that's fine and it is within your own right to have your view. Don't turn this thread into an argument it is simply to find out where other reptile shops are near Belfast.

 

oh and by the way

Do not go to the pet shop in Balyhackamore the animals there are very badly treated their tanks are very dirty and the shop is cramped. I only go their for supplies if I have to.

 

Funny, that may well be the case but why put heat bulb in without a guard on then??? Id be more worried about that than a heat mat!

 

+1 :whistling2:

 

Reptile NI, York Street. Belfast...... The only place I go :2thumb:

 

Is reptile NI on York street still open? Every time I go past it, the shutters are down and their Facebook page doesn't exist anymore. It's my favourite reptile shop in Belfast

 

Nope far as i know ady closed it. pity because it was a great shop

 

Aw shame. Ady was the person that sold me my first 2 corn snakes. I thought he left before it closed down fully. :s

Apart from City Reptiles, is there any stores close to the city centre? I heard of mck reptiles on the Newtownards Road but don't know what they're like.