SPOTLIGHT ON: BAY AREA REPTILES founded in 2004 by Ray & Ann-Marie Pittzer

Since the early 1980’s Ray has been and still is an avid reptile enthusiast. He purchased and maintained between 100 – 150 reptiles as pets. In the mid 1990’s when I met Ray, he introduced me to the world of reptiles, taking me to the 2nd annual National Reptile Breeder’s expo in Orlando’s twin towers convention center. Since then, we share the enthusiasm. Up until 2004, we purchased and maintained reptiles only as pets. Our first reptile purchase together in 1996 was a blue phased Australian White’s tree frog, Freddie, who just recently passed away at approximately 11 years old. Ray visited St. Lucia for a little over six weeks and the family just recently returned from Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, exploring the native reptiles. We have acquired a vast knowledge of many reptiles throughout the years. Bay Area Reptiles was started by Ray & Ann-Marie in 2004. While maintaining our full-time jobs, we slowly began to acquire our inventory. We decided that our niche in the market would be to provide the public with quality reptiles at a reasonable price. We decided that we should utilize the reptile show circuit that we had enjoyed attending as customers. Our first show as vendors was in November 2004 in Tallahassee, Florida. Because of our conservative and well-organized approach to retailing reptiles, we became quite successful at it. We are in constant contact with other retailers, wholesalers, importers and have developed a network of breeders from around the world and other professionals who contact us with new inventory. Our management style is “hands on” and we personally care for our entire inventory. Bay Area Reptiles is a family business. Since early 2005, Ray is now employed full-time with Bay Area Reptiles. Our oldest son, Cory, had been handling all different types of reptiles since he was a baby in diapers. And our youngest son, Colby, has been around reptiles his entire life. Ray’s brother, Edd, developed and manages our website. All of us -- Ray, Ann-Marie, and Colby -- can be seen assisting at all of the Bay Area Reptiles functions. We are serious retailers/breeders and are often working seven days a week, for as many hours as it takes, to achieve our goals. We enjoy the reptile industry for the opportunity it gives us to provide the public with our quality animals and share years of experience. We take pride in the high standards we have for maintaining our now extensive inventory of usually 500 plus animals. Since 2004, we have continued our show circuit and now sell reptiles on the internet, shipping nationwide! We are excited about the future we have with Bay Area Reptiles. Thank you to all of our past customers and we look forward to working with all future customers!

813-966-7530