Critter Caravan

07/17/2026

🦀 Contest time! Help Us Name Our Hermit Crab! 🦀

Our hermit crab has been joining us at Critter Caravan events for... but there's just one problem.

He still doesn't have a name! 😅

Since it's not safe or practical to travel with a live hermit crab, we use this realistic model to teach about these amazing animals and what they really need to thrive. It helps us share their story while keeping real hermit crabs where they belong—in a stable, stress-free home. ❤️

Now it's your turn!

🎉 Name our hermit crab for a chance to win!

How to enter:
📝 Comment your best name below. (One name per comment—you can enter as many times as you'd like!)

If we choose your name, you'll win a discounted Critter Caravan event that can be used anytime—no expiration date! 🎉

Whether it's cute, clever, punny, or completely unexpected, we can't wait to see what you come up with!

We'll announce the winning name once we've picked our favorite.

Ready... set... NAME THAT CRAB! 🦀💚

07/14/2026

🦀 We did an event today all about responsible pet ownership!

We took a closer look at some of the most common household pets… and, unfortunately, some of the most commonly misunderstood.

The truth is, many families love their pets deeply but have never been taught what those animals actually need to thrive. It’s rarely intentional. It’s usually a lack of accurate information.

Hermit crabs are one of the best examples of this.

It’s still common to see hermit crabs sold in tiny containers with gravel, a sponge for water, and commercial pellet food. Unfortunately, those setups don’t meet their basic needs and often lead to poor health and shortened lifespans.

Here’s what hermit crabs actually need:

🏖️ Deep sand (and ideally coco fiber mixed in) so they can burrow underground to molt safely.

💧 Both fresh water and marine-grade saltwater pools deep enough to soak in.

🥜 A varied diet including seeds, nuts, vegetables, fruits, proteins, leaf litter, and other natural foods, not just pellets.

🌿 Lots of space to climb, explore, and stay active. In the wild, hermit crabs travel surprising distances, and some keepers even provide exercise wheels!

A few more fun facts:

🫧 Hermit crabs breathe through modified gills, so they need warm temperatures and high humidity to breathe properly.

🐚 Their shells aren’t attached! They’re simply borrowed homes. As hermit crabs grow—or just decide they like a different style—they’ll move into new shells. That’s why they should always have several appropriately sized, natural, unpainted shells to choose from.

👨‍👩‍👧 Hermit crabs are social animals and generally do best in groups when they have enough space and resources.

When cared for properly, hermit crabs are fascinating little animals. Watching them climb, forage, explore, and even “shop” for new shells is a reminder that every species has unique needs—and that responsible pet ownership starts with learning.

💚 One of our favorite parts of Critter Caravan is helping people discover how to give animals the lives they deserve. 🦀

Here’s a video of one of our crabs, Sheldon, grabbing a drink!

07/05/2026

🦎Finn is enjoying the humidity on this gloomy holiday. What are your plans? 🗓️

07/04/2026

🐍 One of the questions we get asked most is:

"Can you do a presentation without snakes?"

The answer is: Absolutely! While snakes are some of the most misunderstood animals we work with, Critter Caravan is all about meeting people where they're comfortable. We can tailor programs to include lizards, tortoises, amphibians, invertebrates, and other amazing animal ambassadors instead.

However, we always encourage folks to reconsider.🧐
We've watched countless people go from saying, "There's no way I'm touching a snake," to proudly holding one just a few minutes later. At every presentation, there is at least one!

Sometimes all it takes is learning a little more about them.🤓
😅Seeing other folks handling them and not dying probably helps too!

These misunderstood animals are actually really cool!

We hope these myths help show that snakes aren't nearly as scary as their reputation suggests.

Which myth surprised you the most? Or what's another snake myth you've heard? I'd love to hear it!

06/16/2026

🐍🦎🕷️ What Can Interacting with Animals Teach Kids? 🐢🐸🐍

When we come by, the goal is to teach much more than just animal facts.

💚 Confidence – It can take courage to touch a snake or hold a lizard for the first time. Most kids (and adults) say “no way” when they first see Marigold the cockroach.. then they start with a poke.. then suddenly they’re begging to hold him. That “I did it!” moment can stick with a child for years.

🤝 Respect – Kids learn that every living creature deserves kindness and gentle handling, even if it looks different or seems scary.

🧠 Curiosity – Animals spark questions, exploration, and a love of learning. “Why does a snake flick its tongue?” can turn into a lifelong interest in science! Many reptile lovers can trace their passion back to an event just like this!

❤️ Empathy – Understanding an animal’s needs and body language helps children recognize that other living beings have feelings, boundaries, and ways of communicating.

😌 Patience – Animals don’t perform on command and sometimes an animal needs to get comfortable before we can trust it in a child’s arms. Kids learn to slow down, observe, and let interactions happen at the animal’s pace.

🌎 Conservation – Meeting incredible creatures up close helps children appreciate wildlife and the importance of protecting our natural world.

💪 Facing Fears – Many children (and adults!) discover that what once seemed scary can become fascinating with a little knowledge and a safe, positive experience.

At Critter Caravan, we’re not just introducing these animals, we’re helping create moments of wonder, respect, and connection that can last a lifetime. ✨

🐍 Which animal would your child be most excited (or nervous!) to meet first? Let us know in the comments! 👇

06/15/2026

🐍❤️ Some of you spent some time with this guy yesterday and learned a little about his hunger strike. Handling a snake on a hunger strike is a little controversial due to the additional stress handling brings. Since he is generally outgoing, we decided to still have him out for a bit.

🥹 Well, a little community love and support must have been all he needed, because guess who had a great meal last night?!?! 🍽️🐭

🎉 Good job, dude! 💚🐍👏

06/10/2026

🦎 FAQ 🐍

❓ What do you actually do at these events?

I give your guests a fun, educational, and interactive experience! Your guests will hang out with my animals, learn about them, and have opportunities to handle and interact with them. 🐢✨

🦎 What animals do you bring?

I bring a variety of reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. Requests and preferences are welcome, but I cannot guarantee any particular critter’s attendance due to things like shedding/molting, balancing stress, mealtimes, or other unexpected issues that may get in the way.

I cannot bring any of my mammals, as I do not currently have the proper USDA licensing/permits to use them for educational or public-facing purposes. This may change in the future. 🐇

👨‍👧‍👦 What people do you bring?

It will usually just be me (Greyson) and 1–2 of my helpers (my kids). For larger events, my wife may join us to lend a hand. No permits required for them 😆

🎂 Is there an age requirement?

No! While a show may look a bit different with a group of preschoolers versus a group of adults, I can adjust the experience according to the needs of the audience. A diverse crowd is just fine, too! 😊

🚗 How far are you able to go?

I have structured mileage fees for events up to 75 miles from Pontiac, IL. For greater distances, please contact me to discuss possibilities.

📏 How much space do you need?

I don’t have a strict requirement. Give me a reasonable open space and enough room for squeamish folks to gain some distance if needed, and I can make it work! 😄

☀️ Can you do it outside?

Depending on the weather, the critters and I love to catch some sun! For the greatest variety of critters to attend, temperatures should ideally be between 70°F and 85°F, with access to shade and protection from direct sunlight. 🌤️

📅 How do I book?

You can reach out in a few ways:

📧 Email: [email protected]
📱 Call/Text: 815-416-9081
💬 Facebook Messenger

Let me know your name, event type and length, estimated number and ages of guests, and your event location.

🤔 I still have questions!

For lots more info and a peek at the add-ons available, please check out my Service Guide: https://www.canva.com/design/DAHJsYTFVZs/OOyWtYBcRlIASEEHm8arvg/view?utm_content=DAHJsYTFVZs&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hd423ad7474

If there are still some lingering questions, give me a shout!

06/02/2026

❤️❤️ People often ask how I manage all my critters, especially with school, a full-time job, and an in-progress clinical internship… The answer is - with lots of help from the fam and lots of love for all my babies 🫶

People also often ask if my house smells. And the answer is… sometimes. 😂 but that’s from the dogs and kids mostly 😂😂

Check out crittercaravanIL’s video.

06/01/2026