Never a dull moment with The Creature Teacher By Mindy Poehl/Central Texas Edition

Robyn Wheeler, The Creature Teacher, relaxes with two of her most popular critters, a ball python snake and a chinchilla. The snake feels like a muscle and the chinchilla is the second softest animal in the world. (Photo by Mindy Poehl)

NOV. 23, 2006- Mammals and reptiles and bugs, oh my! With 23 different critters living in the back rooms of her house, Robyn Wheeler, of Mabank, is known as The Creature Teacher. Wheeler makes a living as The Creature Teacher, traveling to schools, libraries, parties and other special events across Texas, teaching about her animals and letting the children pet them. "I let people pick and choose what animals they want to see," Wheeler said. "The Chinchilla, hedgehog, ball python, bullfrog and bearded dragon are some of the favorites." Wheeler has always loved animals and she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from California State Polytechnic University in Pomona and a vocational teaching credential from California State University in Long Beach. She has been The Creature Teacher for 10 years, originally living in Orange County in California and eventually moving to Texas in 2001 with her husband, Ron. Wheeler travels to cities such as Waco, Killeen, DFW, Tyler, Longview, Carthage and Sulphur Springs.

"I go to a lot of libraries and see a lot of girl and boy scout trooops. On the weekends I go to birthday parties and I also go to carnivals, schools, daycares and vacation bible schools," explained Wheeler. "I put the animals in small crates and stack them in a wagon. I've gotten to where I can stack 20 animals in the wagon." She discusses where the animals come from, what they eat, how they defend themselves and other interesting facts. She also goes over certain terms like camouflage, hibernate and nocturnal. "One of my favorites is the hairless guinea pig. It is one of the most unusual animals," Wheeler said. All of her animals have names, except the hissing cockroaches and the walking stick bugs. "I do get attached to them," Wheeler said. Some animals, like the rats, don't live very long. They only live about two or three years. It takes Wheeler about an hour and half each day to feed and clean the animals and their cages. If she is busy or at a show, her husband helps her care for the pets. The first animal Wheeler bought was the chinchilla. "It's the second softest animal in the world and everyone loves to touch it," she said. Her second addition were the snakes. "They are always popular," said Wheeler. "Snakes are docile and have a good temperament." Wheeler said she stays busy nearly seven days a week, with the only slow time during the holidays. A 30 minute show with 6 animals is $125.00 and the prices go up with each animal added. "I like just about everything about my job," she said. "The worst part is the drive, but seeing the kids seeing the animals is great. They scream and get excited. I like to see their reactions. There is never a dull moment when you are around animals." For information about the animals or The Creature Teacher, visit www.thecreatureteacher.net or call Wheeler at 903-451-1904 or 972-345-8544.

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903/451-1904    972/345-8544