Overview:
If you are looking for interesting animals in the Mile High City, we have some recommendations for the best Denver Exotic Pet Shops.
Did you know that there could be a living creature being sold in the strip mall behind your house that dates back thousands of years and comes from somewhere other than Denver?Many residents are unaware of the exotic and worldly animals that are up for grabs in various pet stores right around the corner.
My name is Cole Bachman and I am currently a second-year Master’s of Journalism student at the University of Colorado Boulder. As someone who enjoys popular culture and the entertainment industry, I aspire to be an arts & entertainment writer for a major publication after graduation.
Growing up in St. Louis, Missouri, I was intrigued by the seemingly never-ending list of exotic animal stores. This began my love for keeping these creatures and watching them grow. I was intrigued enough to accept a position as an exotic animal sales associate as my first job. When I moved to Denver to pursue my degree, I took it upon myself to locate the nearest similar stores to my home, and to my surprise, I didn’t have to go far.
While there are numerous places where you can practice exotic animal handling and fall in love with animals you have never seen before, knowing where to start is the first step. Here are the top five Denver exotic pet shops to buy a new friend.
Scales N’ Tails
If you, like me, enjoy the vibrant colors of reptiles, such as the vivid red eyes of a Red-Eyed Tree Frog or the various array of yellows seen in Ball Python Morphs, Scales N’ Tales is the perfect place to add a slithery addition to your home or family. This store is conveniently located just off Highway 6 in the heart of Lakewood.
As someone who was constantly bringing home reptiles, I always had to keep one promise while living at my parents’ house: never bring home a snake. Well, now that I’m on my own in Denver, I have two snakes, one of which was bought at Scale’s N’ Tales.
The walls are stacked with seemingly endless terrariums in some places lined to the ceiling, showcasing its collection of snakes, lizards, frogs, insects and arachnids they have for sale. The atmosphere will be sure to make you feel as if you have stepped foot in the Amazon Rainforest. My personal favorite snake I wish I could have taken home was a Blue Emerald Green Tree Boa, which is of the ultimate rarity in the hobby of reptile keeping.
Whether you’re looking for a good beginner reptile such as a leopard gecko, which will cost about $50 bucks, or a more hands-on advanced one, such as a chameleon, for around $200, Scales N’ Tails will not only provide you all the adequate supplies and food to keep your new pet healthy, but an endless and often-changing selection of animals you didn’t know existed.
Scales N’ Tails, 2099 Wadsworth Boulevard, Lakewood. Hours: Monday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Learn more at scalesntails.com.
Nature’s Box Pet Emporium
Whether you’re looking for a new addition to the family or just trying to kill time on a rainy day, Nature’s Box Pet Emporium will be sure to offer you rare, vividly patterned fish and iridescent-scaled snakes to make you say ‘ooooh’ and ‘ahhhh.’ Nature’s Box Pet Emporium, located just 20 minutes east of Cherry Creek, has a large selection of snakes, fish and plants to help you get started with exotic animal keeping.
As one of my favorite exotic animal stores in the Denver area, I am always impressed when I walk in and am greeted by a variety of large tanks showcasing the store’s art in creating an environment for the various animals they sell. My all-time favorite aspect of the store, however, is making a beeline to the back, where its store mascot, Wilbur the aquatic turtle, awaits you.
Maybe it’s the staff always ready to greet you and offer their knowledge on the animals, or simply not knowing where to look next, as I always find an animal that is crazier than the one before, but this pet store is one that offers an experience as if you’re at a small zoo.
With endless rows and isles of supplies ranging from heat lamps to fishtank water filters, I am always sure to find what I need and usually end up purchasing more than I intended because Nature’s Box always has the newest, well-priced goods that enhance the well-being of your exotic pet.
Nature’s Box Pet Emporium, 13740 East Quincy Avenue, Aurora. Hours: Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Learn more at natureboxpetemporium.com.
Fish Den
A well-spent Saturday afternoon could easily involve spending a large sum of money on tickets to the Denver Aquarium. However, the majority of Denver residents are unaware that they can easily visit Fish Den and view both freshwater and saltwater fish, crustaceans, corals and other species for free.
Fish Den, located a mile from Lakeside Amusement Park, is a massive exotic fish store that specializes in all things tropical and saltwater fish. As one of Denver’s largest exotic fish stores, I always enjoy coming here for a like-minded conversation with the owner and a walk through a maze of fish tanks.
When you enter, you have two options. To the left, you will find countless rows of supplies that make fishkeeping a simple hobby. To the right, there is a dimly lit entrance to its fish room. With the sound of air bubbles in the background, you are bound to find yourself gazing through hundreds of glass tanks at species rarely seen, such as giant, blood-orange discus fish or a massive pink brain coral.
When keeping fish, there are many things I keep in mind that are necessary for the well-being of my tanks. Fish Den is my go-to source for everything from the right food to the right filtration system for any size aquarium.
Fish Den, 5055 West 44th Avenue, Denver. Hours: 11 a.m to 5. p.m. Learn more at fishdendenver.com.
About Fish Inc.
If you want more fish-related fun, About Fish Inc., an equally exciting exotic fish store, is only ten minutes down the street from Fish Den. The layout is straightforward: two aisles that run the length and depth of the store, with fish tanks stacked to the ceiling with fish from all over the world.
About Fish Inc. stands out from other stores because it only sells freshwater tropical fish. I am always impressed with how the store offers customers an array of available exotic fish, ranging from tiny nano-fish that grow no longer than your fingernail to fish that will live 20-plus years and weigh up to 50 pounds.
Being a fish hobbyist myself, I have always been fascinated with the type of fish called a rainbow fish. What has always piqued my interest about rainbow fish is the variety of colors available, which range from vibrant yellows and oranges, to blues and sapphires, and reds beautiful as a Denver sunset, all of which I have been able to find at About Fish Inc.
While not as large as other exotic fish stores, About Fish Inc. provides customers with the opportunity to not only learn the intricacies of fishkeeping by speaking with staff who share a passion for fish but also to choose from an endless variety of options.
About Fish Inc. 7236 North Federal Boulevard #700, Westminster. Hours: Monday, Tuesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Learn more at www.about-fish.com.
Exotic Birds of Denver
For those who are afraid of the massive scales on a blue-tongued skink or the slimy nature of fishkeeping, Exotic Birds of Denver provides an experience unlike any other type of animal keeping. Located on South Broadway near downtown, this business is an exotic pet store that specializes in large to small bird species and has a top-tier selection of bird cages that resemble mini-mansions.
As someone who has never had a pet bird, I stopped by this shop on a casual weekend to see some cool animals and learn about the art of being a bird dad. Walking in, I noticed not only several Red and Blue Macaw parrots but also other bird species that are only found in South America.
Even better, there is an entire room where you can get up close and personal with them. I happened to fall in love with a giant white cockatoo who mimicked my head movements.
Unlike any other exotic animal store in the Denver area, Exotic Birds of Denver offers an immersive experience that aims to introduce you to your next bird and establish a connection before you leave the store. While I was not looking to buy a pet bird, I did enjoy learning about their care requirements and how much of a silly but heartwarming addition they can be to any household.
Exotic Birds of Denver, 4796 South Broadway, Englewood. Hours: Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Learn more at www.exoticbirdsofdenver.com.
While caring for exotic animals is more difficult than caring for a dog or a cat, the experience can be quite rewarding. Although these animals require different care regimens that incorporate elements of their natural environment, they can all be found in these stores.
Caring for an exotic animal like the ones sold at these various stores has been a rewarding and enjoyable experience for me, which is why I recommend that you visit one of these locations. At the very least, you will learn something you didn’t know and leave with the memories of seeing animals you never knew existed.
