Exotic animal owners share deep bond with pets, despite critics’ concerns
PETERBOROUGH, Ont. — Tank clambers onto Gord Perry’s shoulder, rests his black and white head in the crook of the man’s neck and stays still as his back is stroked.
The lizard — an Argentine tegu about 1.2 metres long — is just one of more than a dozen exotic animals, mostly reptiles, owned by the 47-year-old resident of Peterborough, Ont.
Perry is passionate about his scaly sidekicks.
“I can’t picture life without these guys. They’re personable, they have their own personality,” says Perry, with one hand on Tank. “It’s actually kind of heartbreaking to think about.”