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COUNTRY WORLD ARTICLE
Never a Dull Moment with The Creature Teacher
By Mindy Poehl/Central Texas Edition
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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)
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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 troops. On the weekends I go to
birthday parties and I also go to carnivals, schools, day cares and vacation bible schools," explained Wheeler. "I
put the animals in small crates and stack them in 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 themselfves 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 temperment."
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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The Creature Teacher, LLC 903/451-1904 972/345-8544 Creeturet@aol.com