I wish we had a place like this closer to home! The cages are all clean and you can tell the staff enjoys taking care of the reptiles. Every one was very helpful and knowledgable about my particular pet (a beardie). They had all the latest stock and there were just too many goodies to choose from. It's an hour away from home but this place is worth the drive and we will definitely be back! read more

Curious Creatures - Pet Boarding Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The staff and their knowledge is unbelievable. They helped me correct all the things I was doing wrong as a first time reptile owner. Their response times on their fb page are amazing. My leopard gecko is definitely a fan. read more

Pretty sweet place! The staff or couple that runs the place really want to make sure any and all questions are answered, they have great displays where you can actually see all the reptiles which is a bonus, some places the displays are so high can't see a thing. Prices are reasonable, Cork seemed was for sure. Substrate as reasonably priced as well. Cages/terrariums, I wish it was a bit lower. I bought materials and supply, no terrarium :( I hope they can get a display or two with frogs and maybe some live plants. Place is a gem if your into reptiles, oh and don't forget fido! read more

Wow!! This place is amazing!! The owners and their wonderful staff really care about the animals here and you can tell they have a passion for educating and helping their customers. I learned a lot from them! I was excited to see a giant tortoise walking towards me upon entering the store. He was a gentle giant getting some exercise in for the day hehe. They do offer boarding for pets when you're away on holiday or a short trip. I will definitely be stopping in again when I visit Chicago in the future! read more

Curious Creatures - This gentle giant greeted me when I entered the store! Such a sweetheart! - Pet Boarding Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Best reptile shop in the Chicagoland area. I have not been to a single one that comes close in comparison. All the animals are in amazing condition and in well maintained enclosures. There's a huge variety of what you can purchase from bearded dragons, to snakes, to monitors. The owner, Andy, is great. He really knows his stuff and is very welcoming. He breeds a lot of his own and also offers a boarding service for your exotics. read more

I can't say enough nice things about this family owned business. I have a gecko and this establishment has been so helpful. I personally don't know how to care for reptiles nor did I ever want to. My neighbor needed to find a home for her 9yr old gecko and I agreed to help. The husband and wife duo at curious critters helped me with proper husbandry and nutritious food. Any time I am desperate and have to buy worms elsewhere I kick myself for it. The worms I get elsewhere always die quickly and are not chunky and healthy looking. Every time I have purchased worms, roaches, or crickets they are so fresh. They live so long and they don't die right away. Thank you. read more

My boyfriend and I just recently moved to Chicago from Florida and we desperately needed to find somewhere to buy feeder rats and hornworms for our boys. They don't always do fresh killed (we were spoiled back home with a breeder who did) however our python took to frozen no problem. They are super knowledgeable and friendly. Absolutely recommend. read more

I can't believe this place was here all this time, it's kind of hidden away, but it's definitely one of Buena Park's hidden treasures. The owners really know their stuff and got me set up with my ball python back June and since then I've been learning the ins and outs of reptile husbandry, and with the help of the staff here! They also offer free vet check up dates each month, and their prices are best around! They are not only limited to reptile pet supplies, cat and dog supplies can be found here as well! Over all great place! read more

Allison and Andy run a first class operation. The quality and care of their animals; their product inventory; their knowledge of all the different species and how best to care for each one; the ability to find the perfect reptile or amphibian that fits each customer; and, the ability to board your "creature(s)" at their store when you travel, knowing that they will receive only the best care. Really cool shop to go and just look around - it's fascinating. What else can I say about Curious Creatures? I purchased our beautiful Bearded Dragon for our kids over a year ago and the whole family adores her. She has boarded at Curious Creatures about 8-10 times, and always comes home happy and healthy. We established our own Dubia colony, with Andy's help, to supplement our Beardie's diet. It's so easy to do and saves on trips to their shop; we live in the northern suburbs and it takes about 45 minutes to get there. As a teen, I had an iguana and was given inaccurate information regarding his care. It shortened his life considerably because they told me to center his diet around marmoset chow (a very high protein content), as his main staple along with a variety of vegetables. He died of kidney failure before he was 8 years old, but they can live as long as 30+years. I found out too late that young iguanas eat a high protein diet, but by maturity, their metabolism slows as well as there activity level; the adults should really be on a vegetarian diet. Getting healthy animals and proper care instructions are key to a healthy, happy relationship with your new family member(s). Thank you, Allison and Andy! read more

Super nice people, very responsive to questions. They have a ton of options! You can tell they love their animals and it is a passion, not just a business for them. Will do business again! read more

I can't express how grateful I am for this place! I bought my bearded dragon back in August of last year. I was very concerned with the way he was acting, so Andy advised me to bring him in and check him out. He was great with all the knowledgeable info he had! (They know everything about reptiles). He helped me out with explaining to me about the lighting, food and bedding! To this day whenever I have questions they never hesitate to help me with the answers I'm looking for! I would give 10 stars if I could! Alison, Andy and Kayla you are the best ever!!!!!! read more

Andy & Allison are very knowledgeable and care greatly about their reptiles. :) I boarded my bearded dragon with them which they took great care of while I was away on vacation. I get his food ( dubias and horn worms) from them and supplies. Great place and they're always very helpful. read more

I can't say enough great things about this store! They always have the reptile supplies you can't find at a petco, petsmart, etc.... Their prices are slightly higher than online, but I'm glad to support a local small Chicago business AND its the added convenience of not having to wait for shipping times and so on. They have the brand name products (Exo Terra, Zilla, Zoomed) but then they also have the random, cool, and oftentimes "must have" offshoot brands. They have dubia roaches, which I cannot find at any brick and mortar store, so thats a HUGE plus. The owners are also SUPER nice and helpful. read more

The staff are always welcoming & helpful! I've gotten a tarantula & four Madagascar hissing cockroaches from here and they helped me pick out everything I needed for their habitats. I won't go anywhere else for my pets. read more

"Best place ever" They are a store and a breeder who has a Vet Day- it doesn't get much better than that. Super knowledgeable, helpful and attentive. I am SO happy I found Curious Creatures as a newbie Beardie owner they've helped make being a Lizard Mom a breeze! read more

This store ROCKS!! They are super knowledgeable and have everything you need for your reptile at a better price than the big chains. If you have a reptile you need to shop at this store!!! read more

Love that Husband and Wife run this place. Very knowledgeable and friendly but the new staff not so much. There was a blonde and blue haired girl there that has an attitude problem. I merely asked some questions about an item and pricing and she got snippy and quickly irritated. Don't understand why people get these types of jobs if they don't want to deal with customers. Seriously. read more

Curious Creatures is such a great little shop. I typically stop in for frozen rats. I do call ahead of time in case they're waiting on a shipment, but I'm never opposed to getting smaller feeders if needed. I've gotten some cool decor from Magbaturals as well. I LOVE to look around at everything here. They do such an awesome job with upkeep and presentation, you can tell they're very passionate about it. I've heard them helping other customers numerous times and always answering questions so people will be well informed. I'm sure at some point I'll add another creature to my family and this is definitely the place I will go. read more

Lovely store, beautiful reptiles and amazing staff. The first time I came in for some crickets was shortly after their grand opening. Their crickets were fat and healthy and I was even given a free cricket keeper left over from their Grand opening! The owners, Andy and Allison were so kind and knowledgable of reptiles that I left them responsible for the boarding of my 2 iguanas for over 2 weeks. Needless to say, my igs were happy and healthy! A&A gave me a daily log of everything regarding my igs from feedings to behavior. Very professional and trustworthy. A true passion for reptiles- Curious Creatures! read more

This is a truly awesome store. They hooked me up when I wanted to find a very specific snake to take home, helped us with advice and special feeding methods for our bearded dragon and ball python when they both were going through picky eating phases, and are generally the best place for reptiles I've found in greater Chicago. Also, you won't find better selection or prices. We're big into wacky tank furniture and we've found it here! Particular favorite is the dinosaur egg-shaped hide we got for our littlest snake. Her tank looks like something out of Jurassic Park now. We tend to walk in to the store because we need supplies, then linger looking at all the beautiful animals and awesome gear. The staff is totally knowledgeable and helpful, and the store has supplies for cats and dogs too, as well as awesome Dogs In Residence who hang out there and greet you when you come in. It's a total no brainer to give them your business, and we're so glad they moved into our neighborhood! read more

I love this place! Finally a nearby reptile specialty pet store that even carries some things for your dog. First a bit of background. I have a Chinese water dragon (CWD) that we "rescued" from one of those big box pet stores. The poor little creature already had fingers and toes missing from malnutrition. We had not idea what we were getting ourselves into. I have had reptile experience in the past but that did not prepare me for the care and feeding of a CWD. They are super picky eaters and will go on hunger strikes when they get bored with food they previously seemed to love. So, variety is key. It was really hard to find that locally and insects do not ship well in the extreme Chicago temperatures. So, I was thrilled when a neighbor told me about Curious Creatures. It was better than I imagined. Not only do they have a great variety of things to feed my CWD, they are knowledgeable and super nice people. I feel like I am visiting friends when I go there. They clearly care about their animals (reptiles and their sweet doggies). They raise some of the feeders themselves. The bedding is always clean and free of the usual smells that are often a problem at other places. My CWD is really thriving with his new varied diet. When I asked about hornworms, Allison ordered them while I was in the store and was able to get them in a few days for much less than I paid for them online. They are even willing to help me source the oversized custom habitat my CWD will be needing and have been having a really hard time finding. If you have a reptile in your life, this place is definitely for you! read more

Great place! Family owned and operated, super friendly and helpful. Wouldn't go anywhere else for reptiles or supplies in the Chicagoland area! read more

This is one of the coolest, knowledgeably staffed local pet store in Chicago. Very helpful with informing me about tarantulas and local breeders in Illinois! Although some of their animals were in smaller enclosures than preferred, almost every pet store will have this because these animals are not meant to live there but wait to go to loving homes eventually. read more

Alison and Andy are my heroes. My wife and I have bearded dragons and have been going to Curious Creatures for almost two years. They are very passionate and knowledgeable about what they do. Always ready to answer any questions you may have from how to set up an enclosure, to health questions, to what food is best at certain ages. The store is very clean and the animals are all treated like royalty! Extremely healthy. The prices are very reasonable as well. Everything in the store is either similar in price or cheaper than the same products you would find at a PetCo or PetSmart. A lot more variety as well with an extensive selection of feeders that you can't find at the large chain pet stores. They even offer boarding for your creatures! If you're a reptile person or you're thinking about getting a reptile, this is the place you need to go. You won't find better service anywhere else in the area. A fantastic local business owned and operated by wonderful people. read more

Friendly and knowledgeable. They're willing to spend as much time as you need to answer questions. Since many of the animals they sell are either rescues or animals they have bred and raised themselves, they are intimately aware of the care concerns of each species. More importantly, they view these animals as "family" and seem most interested in supporting the customer that will give them the best possible care. Wide and varied inventory of foods, lighting, heating, enclosures and habitat enrichment items is available. Their creativity and artistry in putting together one-of-a-kind habitats is also in display, here. I am very new to this hobby, and I appreciate their kindness and patience. Even if all you want is to meet a very large and friendly Sulcata Tortoise, this is a great place to do it. read more

If you own a reptile in Chicago and you aren't buying your stuff here, you are making a mistake. I can't say enough about this store. I own a ball python and I haven't even set foot in another pet store since I first came to this place. First off, the couple that owns this store are wonderful and VERY attentive. All of their animals are very healthy and very well kept (large, spotless tanks, decor, the works). The store is freakishly clean (I mean freakishly. Like how is it even possible to pack dozens of reptiles and a couple dogs into a tiny store without it having even a hint of pet-store smell. Freaky) and everything is very well organized and easy to find (though you won't really need to 'find' anything. All you have to do is tell the owners what you need and they'll lead you right to it. None of that "it's down aisle 2" bs here). And the prices! Good god, I don't know how the owners are even able to pay their bills. Everything is priced super cheap compared to other pet stores especially the feeders. I get indigestion just thinking about all the people who are paying $12+ for low-quality (see: The Great Arctic Mice Salmonella Outbreak of 2014) feeder rats. For that price, I can feed my little boy for a month. Seriously, check this place out. You will thank yourself later. read more

This shop is fantastic!! I went in there looking for something to occupy my little busy bee puppy and they gave me some great advice!

Customer service is very lacking in regards to the owners. The employees are nice and helpful but the two owners are very detached and at times seem unapproachable unless they know you are about to spend a lot of money. Everything in this store is way over priced. The only way you would not recognize this is if you are new to reptiles. Better off getting supplies and feeders offline. The animals are too expensive as well, yet I give them credit because the enclosures are always clean and the animals look well cared for. With the exception of the monitor lizard they have which is in an enclosure that is way way too small for that species. I've shopped her several times because it's local and I prefer supporting local businesses over Internet business despite the big price difference. Yet each time I frequent this business I get the same vibe from the owners ( as if they're being bothered) then to be told the price of the items I'm purchasing is double or triple what I would get else where is a big disappointment. I would advise shopping somewhere else for animals and supplies, it will save you a ton of money. Unless of course money is not an issue and you have it to burn. 2 stars because it's clean and because the employees are always very nice and helpful. read more