Now, Andy Sagar has fulfilled a lifetime ambition to own a crocodile - and it is proving a huge attraction in his shop.

Crikey the crocodile lives in an enclosure in the corner of The Creature Feature in Starbeck High Street. His name was an obvious choice for Andy and his wife, Julie, and son James, all big fans of the late exotic animal enthusiast Steve Irwin who famously shouted the word as he investigated all kinds of wild creatures.

From being able to sit on the palm of Andy's hand when he first arrived in Starbeck last year, Crikey has grown to 18 inches long and rapidly outgrowing his tank.

"He is a very hungry croc," sad Andy. "He can get more food down him now, so he is growing much quicker."

Animal care

Andy and Julie set up the business at home in Wetherby more than two years ago after having trouble finding shops specialising in exotic pets. In summer 2006 they moved into the shop and the business has been growing ever since.

But Andy said the shop was only part of what they did because more than anything they wanted to educate people in the best ways to care for their exotic animals and make sure they are suitable owners.

"We do turn a lot of people away," said Andy. "If it's not right, we talk to them and tell them they need to change what they are doing."

The business has been so successful that it has supplied Whipsnade Wildlife Park and has also been in contact with other zoos, including Bristol, Chester and even London Zoo, which was when Andy realised how widely known the shop was becoming.

Misunderstood

Far from trying to make their fortune in the trade, Andy and Julie are keen to educate people about how fulfilling it can be to have a snake, scorpion or spider in your home.

"More than anything, these animals are just misunderstood," said Andy.

Through his son James, Andy has introduced other youngsters to some of the creatures in the shop and said they are fascinated by them at a young age. Once they reach their teens, most begin to develop fears because their parents teach them to be nervous of unusual animals.

Andy and Julie are happy for anyone with a phobia of snakes or spiders to come into the shop and try to overcome their fears. Their creatures are all captive bred, many in the local area, and range from harmless to potentially deadly, including a highly dangerous death stalker scorpion and her 34 poisonous babies.

The unusual collection attracts a steady flow of curious visitors, most trying to catch a glimpse of Crikey. Although many of the visitors will not buy anything, Andy and Julie are happy to have the chance to share their passion with anyone who comes through the door.

• For the full story and pictures of the exotic species at The Creature Feature, see Friday's Harrogate Advertiser.