A DALE teenager is carving out a distinct segment as an unique animal showman.
Leon Horrocks, from Woodland, began displaying unusual and strange reptiles, amphibians and bugs, on the age of 12, and now, two years later, is discovering himself more and more in demand for college visits and village reveals.
He obtained his first unique creature, a bearded dragon, aged simply 4 having badgered his mother and father for a lizard since seeing one in a cartoon aged two.
The teenager stated: “I’ve had animals my whole life, since I was born.
“In my first school report it said ‘Leon is most happy under a bush finding insects’.”
He now has a set of about 100 creatures protecting 60 species, together with 21 spiders, 20 snakes and three scorpions. The 14-year-old additionally has superb information of every creature, and together with understanding how one can look after them, he’s additionally capable of learn their temper.
The teenager stated: “A lot of it has been talking to other keepers, the internet and I have a selection of quite good reptile books.”
One of the creatures he displayed throughout a present at Woodland’s Edge Hotel earlier this month was a inexperienced tree python.
Leon stated: “It has the worst reputation of any snake in the world – these sit in trees and chuck themselves out to grab you. He is not tongue flicking, so he is a little bit tense. If he was relaxed, he would be doing long, slow tongue flicks.”
Other species he showcased in the course of the occasion included crocodile skink, leopard gecko, savannah monitor, big bull frog, tiger salamander and royal python.
His first present was at Woodland’s St Mary’s Church in 2022.
Leon stated: “That was really scary. I started out with a little wooden box in front of me and I started getting some of my animals out. Now I have this [big stage set-up]. It is amazing to think in two years I’ve gone from a little wooden box on a table to having this.”
He obtained recommendation on the stage set-up, together with the PA system and audio system, from his uncle, celeb magician Danny Hunt, who lives at Butterknowle.
The teenager ends his reveals by displaying his seven-and-a-half foot boa constrictor Ivy.
Leon stated: “She is actually the biggest snake I have. Again, boas have a terrible reputation but they are actually pretty friendly. I got her because I needed an impressive snake for the show and she is the one that comes out last as a show-stopper.”
Along together with his exhibitions, his business consists of breeding uncommon species comparable to rhinoceros rat snakes, child fat-tailed geckos, crested geckos, golden pythons, royal pythons, Texas rat snakes and leachianus geckos.
His ultimate goal is to have his personal specialist zoo.
Leon stated: “I want to show the world that they are not what they are made out to be. They are not slimy, scaly, nasty creatures, you can make them be tame.”
People can see Leon in motion when he performs at Streatlam Steam Show, on August 17.
He may be adopted on Facebook by looking for Leon’s Exotics.
