River City Exotics

RIver City Exotics is a store for people who understand exotics. They also give great advice to novices with certain species. Sometimes people who are thinned skinned could interrupt what is being told to them as criticism. It is nothing more then being truthful with any customer who comes through the store.\r \r If you want bad advice go to PETCO or PETSMART where most employees have only a year or two experience around exotics not living with them for years..\r \r The reptiles, fish and other exotics are very well taken care of. I buy all my critter food and supplements here. Just bought 48" 10.0 UVB lamp bulb from them.\r \r Great brick and mortar to back with my money more

River City Exotics is the WORST. Not only does the owner act like a know it all, he treats his animals horribly. Went in there a few times to see the hedgehogs, and they were in horrible condition. Hedgehogs are meant to be solitary, not all bunched together in a filthy tank. It wasn't just the hedgehogs in bad shape either. Their reptiles were living in putrid tanks with dirty water and were all very thin. I will NEVER get a pet from them. more

I have to say, Mike knows what he's doing. I met him serving at a fast food restaurant and bumped into him on my walk to work. He invited me to his pet store and I instantly I fell in love with the mini Lop rabbits. I decided to get one, and for start, he gave me an amazing deal of a cage with bedding, food, water bottle and more all for $70! The store has amazing deals, and he even reserved the bunny for me in advance so I can pick it up later, very convenient! I have never been more happy with customer service, he's very knowledgeable and told me everything I need to know in taking care of my new baby bunny. From now on, this is the only place I will be going if I'm looking for a pet or stocking up on food and bedding for my bunny! more

As some people say on here, Mike is a bit of a know it all. I also have to say, he deserves it. Mike has an above expert knowledge in reptiles. I am to a point the same way. These pets should only be cared for one way, and that is the right way. If you are not doing it right, or if an adjustment needs to be made, you should be told. That is knowledge sharing. If you ego gets hurt, that is a bummer, but it is better than the reptile getting hurt, don't you think?\r \r Mike's stock is always top notch. His food supplies are always top notch. I drive from the north east side to shop with Mike! more

Unfortunately my experience was not a great one, I just went into shop for fish and maybe some supplies and instead i'm getting a lecture on how to clean my fish tank. whats up with that, the gentleman is telling me my tank needs to be cleaned every week because that's what he does there at the shop.. Dude you work there thats your job. Anyway this company does not have a great selection on fish or supplies and very much over rated, best store in S.A. I don't think so..... Giving a rate of one star but doesn't even deserve that sorry guys more

I have been going to this store for as long as I can remember. Even when I was an annoying teenager, they were always great to me. Yes, the owner is a 'know it all', but it's because he wants what is best for the pets that sell in his store. If it's stuff you already know, suck it up and listen, because you may even learn something new. Why are so many people opposed to learning about a pet they should know everything about if they're going to take it into their home? Anyways, this store is amazing.. the animals are always clean and well taken care of. The staff is always friendly, even Mike, the know it all owner. :) I will always shop at this store.. keep a small place in business, rather than shopping at a huge pet store that is in it for the money and not the animals. more

I visited this pet store today to ask questions about african pygmy hedgehogs as well as to see how much they cost. I discovered that this pet store is the best pet store in san antonio. They have reasonable prices, much cheaper than big brand pet stores, and they truely care about the pets they are selling. People complain about the employees acting like "know-it-alls". Well i STRONGLY disagree with this. They were kind and offered as much help as they possibily could give. Pros: knowledgeable, kind, caring about the animals more

Mr. Mike has to be doing some thing right. He has been there for god knows how long! Ya ya so he can sound a tad bit of an arrogant jerk but he wants you to make sure you take great care of your new pet! All he is doing is simplifying the task at hand. He is a walking How to take care of your _________ For dummies. I bought a candy cane corn snake from him back in February she is doing great! I just bought my girlfriend a corn snake yesterday, and guess where we went? The snakes look happy and alive ( all though snakes cant show emotion) all the tanks are clean not filled with poop and old shedding. I started going to another pet store to buy my snake its mice to eat. But the people there spit a hundred words a second and just want a sale. The more questions I asked the more and more annoyed they seemed to get as if they where saying "dude shut up and buy some thing" Mr. Mike on the other hand is always willing to listen to you and help you. Even over the phone! That is why I will do the 26 mile round trip drive to his business every week! Seriously folks do not let his attitude scare yall away. You will walk away with a great healthy pet, and not argue with the other guy cause your pet died to days after you bought it! Because Mike makes sure that does not happen by giving you all the knowledge you need to be successful in keeping your pet happy and healthy. Pros: Healthy pets, great prices, Cons: Not enough money to buy all the pets! more

I've had hedgehogs, lizards, snakes, dogs, cats, exotic fish, and the list goes on and on. I will agree that the owner is a bit of a "know it all", but I have the distinct notion that it's because he truly cares about the animals & wants to find a good fit for an new owner. If anything, especially when buying an "exotic", I'd rather have someone who tells me more than I want to know (even at the risk of insulting my intelligence) than a person just interested in making a sale. \r \r He pushed my son towards a hedgehog that was a little older, but had a calm temperment. I was looking for the cutest one. Thankfully, my son got the one the owner suggested, and she was a WONDERFUL pet! This is a great shop. more

The staff is helpful and knowledgeable about the animals.All the pets we have bought have been super healthy too Pros: amazing selection of animals more

I got my albino African Pygmy Hedgehog last year, and she has been very happy and healthy since I purchased her. The store was extremely clean and professional looking. The people working there were wonderful, and knew about every animal they had in stock at the time. I would absolutely recommend River City Exotics pet store! (As for the people complaining about the owner Mike and employees treating everyone as "ignorant", of course they would! They want to make sure you know exactly what kind of animal your investing in, instead of bullshitting you just so they can make a quick buck!) more

Well regardless of what other people say, I think river city has a very knowledgable staff, and a great choice of healthy animals. If you want a different animal, like a hedgehog, GO THERE! They have a great variety of snakes like ball pyhtons or kingsnakes. The different morphs vary in in price, but they are very much so worth it. All of their animals (except some of the imports) are very healthy and get the right care that is needed. The right substrates are used and for the babies, such as the baby bearded dragons, are housed on paper towel roll to prevent impaction. And, if there is an animal that do not have and you wish to have one, you cH either go to another pet shop, or, you can put in an order for one and they'll ship some in for you. My friend put in an order of some clown tree frogs and they will soon be coming in for 12$-14$ each. more

We absolutely love this store. Everyone is very knowledgeable about ALL their animals. Mike always has great information to give. We have bought 3 ball pythons from him and are very pleased with them. They are part of our family. We would not recommend going anywhere other than River City Exotics to buy a snake (or any other pet). We did and regretted it. One died and the other was returned because it would not feed even after several months. We send everyone we know (and even those we don't) to River City. We live in Converse and literally travel across the city to River City Exotics and it's definitely worth it!!!!! Pros: Great Pets, Great Info, Great Prices more

I have gone to this pet store for several years. The owner Mike is very knowledgable and always willing to help out. The employees either can answer questions or can look up information for any customer. Everyone is always very helpful and courteous. The animals offered are top quality and make great pets. Definitely a place to go if you are looking for an unusual and unique pet. more

Pretty knowledgeable, but yes, like others have said, they think they know everything. :) Most Herpers are that way. Good selection of snakes for the most part. It's a smaller store, so you have to keep that in mind, the selection is minimal, but vast compared to PetsMart/PetCo. more

I have been to this shop many times and have always been given information that is best for the pet. This store seems to be all about the pet, they dont have a problem telling me like it is, not just say what ever so I'll buy from them. They have always given me great service with a smile and have great prices on crickets for my son's pet toads. They have many different types of pets and supplies from snaks, to rats, to ferrets, to fish, ....so you can get what you need alot cheaper then at someplace like petsmart. PROS: Great prices CONS: more

I have been in this shop once and will not go again. I am very knowledgable about my own pets and lots of other animals, however I was treated as though I was completely ignorant. The first person who helped me was the owner of the store. He proceeded to tell me everything I "needed" for my pet turtle and inform me of his personal opinion of me owning a small sized turtle. I happen to be a teacher and me owning this turtle is completely legal within the state laws. When he realized that I would not cave to his criticism, he rolled his eyes and sighed and passed me off to another employee. I will never set foot in this store again and will deter anyone I can from doing business with them. more