As soon as he could walk, Kyle Thibeault began collecting what he could pick up. From school, one of his teachers phoned his home and asked Kyle’s parents to get him to only bring his "finds" on show-and-tell days.
Kyle’s dad taught him to set up habitats to ensure that what he found, and kept, could go back to the wild. He taught him about seasonal changes: hibernation, migration and brumation.
His neighbour had a luxurious three-tier pond and asked young Kyle to catch the snakes and get him some frogs. Kyle brought him a bucket of 50.
Kyle’s background with reptiles began to grow as he walked through every door that opened. He got a diploma in animal-care sciences, worked for a vet, worked at a reptile zoo in Ontario, and curated for a lady with a live bug collection.
Bugs!
Kyle's large menagerie needs to be fed and he has colonies of cockroaches, superworms and snails.
Kyle’s iguana, which he got as a hatchling is now retired. Mr. Big, will be 25 in June. Animals in captivity, Kyle says, live longer. He teaches good husbandry whenever showing his reptiles. Along with encouraging intrigue and fascination, and because of their long life, he encourages that all needs are met before giving one a forever home.
What a fun house! His kids like all the little animals and their favourites always change. Right now, they interact with Monty the ball python and Oscar the bearded dragon most. They share Kyle's fascination in the reptile room.
With his love of show-and-tell, and to support his forever hobby, in 2022, Kyle started a business, River Reptiles. He, at times, does an educational program in the schools and at community events.
You may have seen him at the Kispiox Music Festival, the Telkwa Derby and perhaps at a child’s birthday party.
For me, who might faint at the sight of a snake, I may just need Kyle. Along with playing in the band Urchin, and doing renovations, he is a paramedic for the Smithers ambulance service.
If you have items, or tips, for this community column please email sonja.lester.b.c@gmail.com or phone 250-847-4414.
