Meet the Family: The Scaly, Spiky, and Furry Crew Behind Rachel’s Reptile Resource

At Rachel’s Reptile Resource, our guiding philosophy is simple: reptiles are family. Long before this shop was born, my life was filled with creatures of all kinds—from fish to humans; every single one has held a special place in my heart.

Behind every enclosure design, diet recommendation, and curated product in our store are real animal companions who test, supervise, and inspire everything we do. Here is the crew that fills my days with joy, laughter, and endless reminders of why high-standard husbandry matters.

The Bearded Dragons

Francis (Hatched 2020)

Francis is truly the love of my life. While he has a spacious setup of his own, he firmly believes his true home is wherever Mom is. Gentle, cuddly, and deeply affectionate, Francis loves long soaks in the bath with his favorite spray toys. To keep him close during the work day, he has his own dedicated living room basking spot equipped with full heat and UVB—allowing him to serve as my personal office supervisor.

Xena (Hatched 2024)

Xena is our resident cool girl and the undisputed princess of the household. She has very specific bedtime standards, preferring to sleep in her miniature bed neatly tucked in under her blankets. When she isn't lounging in luxury, she spends her days climbing, basking under her lamps, and watching The Pet Collective.

The Gecko Room

Shelley Duvall (Crested Gecko)

My sweet "frog butt" girl. I fell hard for crested geckos who had dropped their tails the moment I first saw them, finding their little tailless profiles completely charming. Meeting her the exact weekend one of my all-time favorite actresses passed away felt like destiny. Shelley is an absolute sweetheart who rushes to the front glass the second I enter the room, though her favorite hobby remains taunting Yuko safely from behind the terrarium glass.

Mogwai (Crested Gecko)

Adopted from a rescue in Tacoma, Mogwai quickly taught me that not every gecko wants to be your best friend—and that's entirely okay. You can provide the massive terrarium, the absolute best insect buffet, and a gourmet rotation of gecko diets, and they may still prefer their independence. Mogwai tolerates human interaction on exactly one condition: when she is passed out cold at noon.

Penelope (Leopard Gecko)

Penelope came to me from an Oregon rescue with severe Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) and congenital defects resulting from inadequate early care. Her routine requires specialized care and gentle accommodation, but she rewards us every day with the sweetest, most placid temperament imaginable.

The Mourning Gecko Colony

What started as three Type A hatchlings from The Seattle Reptile Guy and one Type B youngster from Josh's Frogs has grown into a bustling community of over 60 geckos across 10 custom bioactive setups. Their enclosures are a constant flurry of social interaction, chirping vocalizations, and tiny dynamics that make them endlessly fascinating to watch.

The Invertebrates & Serpents

Josephine (Australian Spiny Stick Insect)

Arriving as a tiny nymph in late 2025, Josephine has blossomed into a magnificent six-inch adult. A true connoisseur of wild blackberry and raspberry leaves, she spends her daytime hours folded into a delicate nap with her front legs tucked over her face, coming alive at night to explore her branches and feast.

Minzi (Striped House Snake)

Minzi is my long-awaited dream snake. The instant I saw her, I knew she was coming home with me. Still just a little hatchling born this year, she represents the start of a wonderful, multi-decade journey together.

The Furry Management Team

Yuko (Born 2021)

Every reptile room needs a head of triage and quality assurance. Yuko is our energetic wild child, constantly on patrol and ready to inspect new enclosure builds, supervise feeder sorting, and keep an eye on desk tasks.

Nandor (Born 2023)

He’s here, he’s scared, and he wants his mother. Nandor is our gentle, timid boy who startles easily and wants nothing to do with children, but he makes up for his nervous nature by being the most devoted, soft nighttime cuddle bug in the house.

Pete

Our distinguished world traveler. Pete was originally rescued in Western Asia by the wonderful family I nannied for, and when life took them to Canada, Pete officially joined our crew. With his magnificent coat and soulful, all-knowing expression, he serves as our wise senior statesman and unofficial greeter.

Every product we curate and every care guide we write comes straight from our day-to-day life with these incredible animals. They remind us every day that compassionate husbandry isn't just a practice—it’s how we show our family they are loved.