Scales and Tails Utah is a family-run educational animal experience that has been bringing the fascinating world of reptiles and birds to life since 2004. Founded by animal enthusiast Shane Richins, the team offers safe, engaging,...
Staff members like Austin, Rindy, Hailey, and Ryan consistently earn praise for their genuine passion and knowledge about the animals in their care. Families repeatedly mention how these guides excel at making educational presentations fun and engaging for all ages, from toddlers to grandparents. The interactive format lets visitors hold various reptiles and tortoises, and reviewers appreciate how patient the team is with nervous guests, even helping people overcome fears. The operation runs smoothly across different services, from birthday parties to school presentations to drop-in tours. Parents especially value the professionalism and flexibility, with multiple mentions of staff going above and beyond with accommodating scheduling changes and themed requests. The facility stays well-maintained, though it's worth noting it can get warm inside. Visitors consistently describe feeling welcomed by a team that genuinely cares about both the animals and creating memorable experiences for guests of all ages.
Hailey was incredible! She kept the kids engaged the entire time and didn’t miss a beat, even when the iguana pooped on her 😂. She was fun, knowledgeable, patient, and made the whole experience feel really special. The entire process was great from start to finish. Booking was easy, and everyone we interacted with was knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful. Hailey arrived right on time and made sure the birthday kids had plenty of opportunities to participate and interact with the animals. The kids absolutely loved it, especially getting to see and hold the huge snake! We would absolutely recommend Scales and Tails Utah for a birthday party or event. It was such a fun, memorable experience!
Karissa Wilson
August 23, 2026
Hailey was incredible! She kept the kids engaged the entire time and didn’t miss a beat, even when the iguana pooped on her 😂. She was fun, knowledgeable, patient, and made the whole experience feel really special. The entire process was great from start to finish. Booking was easy, and everyone we interacted with was knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful. Hailey arrived right on time and made sure the birthday kids had plenty of opportunities to participate and interact with the animals. The kids absolutely loved it, especially getting to see and hold the huge snake! We would absolutely recommend Scales and Tails Utah for a birthday party or event. It was such a fun, memorable experience!
Karissa Wilson
August 23, 2026