Alexander Röck has 30 terrariums in the basement.
The 27-year-old from Kirchseeon is fascinated by frogs, chameleons and snakes.
His enthusiasm also leads him to kindergartens and schools, where he introduces his animals.
Kirchseeon
- "Bertl", the bearded dragon, sits very calmly on the open palm.
At first the pretty, pale orange lizard is a little excited, but then its pulse rate seems to decrease.
Bertl enjoys the hot summer sun in the garden in Kirchseeon.
His outdoor enclosure is also located there.
Its neighbors are two chameleons and the bullfrog Bodo.
It almost seems as if Bertl - around 20 centimeters tall, measured the length including tail - is snuggling up to the warm human skin.
His eyes roll with interest at the visitor who is still strange to him and who has penetrated his realm.
“Who are you then?” He may ask and also seems to feel: “You're not hurting me.” “You are a very dear one,” says Alexander Röck, but by that he means the lizard.
"He's trusting."
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Not only Alexander Röck, who keeps numerous exotic reptiles in Kirchseeon, has a smile on his face, but also the bullfrog Bodo, who has made himself comfortable on the palm of his hand.
© Stefan Rossmann
Röck: "I talk to animals like others do to plants."
The 27-year-old keeps around 100 exotic species like Bertl, mostly in terrariums in the basement of the semi-detached house in Kirchseeon, from frogs barely the size of a thumbnail to chameleons to a ball python 120 centimeters long. By the way, the snake's name is Rosi. There are also insects from woodlice to cockroaches to millipedes, praying mantises, i.e. large grasshoppers, from stag beetles to tarantulas and scorpions. “I talk to animals like others do to plants,” he says. He needs a lot of time for his passion. The animals want to be visited daily. "And it costs a lot," admits Röck.
By the way, everything he does has been checked, emphasizes the Kirchseeoner.
"I have good contact with the veterinary office and the lower nature conservation authority." His animal husbandry is regularly checked and he has also completed appropriate training.
Animals react curiously to visitors
Anyone who goes into the basement with Röck has a view of around 30 terrariums after opening the door.
There is mainly jungle to be discovered in small format, with overgrown plants.
And strange noises hit the visitor.
This sometimes sounds like happy shouting and chirping, croaking, singing or warbling and comes from the frogs.
"Each genre has its own reputation," explains Röck.
"There are also different keys."
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This moss frog comes from Vietnam.
© Stefan Rossmann
Bright yellow "terrible poison dart frogs" live in a large glass case directly opposite the entrance.
As offspring, they are neither terrible nor poisonous, as Röck explains.
If the visitor is close to the pane, they also come to the glass front and look out curiously, turn around, come back.
Then they inflate their vocal sacs on their necks and sounds are created.
Depending on the species: Keeping as a couple or in groups
In other terrariums there are other small frogs in iridescent colors.
Others, like the Vietnamese moss frog, whose back actually looks like forest floor, can hardly be seen in the lush green thicket.
“You don't get bored,” says Röck.
The animals are mostly busy with brood care or courtship behavior.
Depending on the genus, the exotic species are kept as pairs or in groups.
They spend a lot of time looking for food.
The prey insects required for this are also largely grown by Röck himself. This also applies to the various climbing plants that Röck uses to equip the terrariums.
Tips from the "frog regulars table"
Most of the species are native to South and Central America.
Röck buys them from reputable dealers and friends.
The Kirchseeoner advises against simply ordering online.
He gets tips from like-minded people, including at the “Froschstammtisch” in Munich.
When asked whether it would not be better to leave the animals in their original environment, Röck said: “People like me who practice their hobby responsibly help ensure that the species survive at all, because all over the world they do Areas of life are destroyed. "
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The chameleon looks skeptical.
© Stefan Rossmann
For Röck it is very clear why he deals with animals from distant countries and not with local sand lizards or blindworms: “I am simply fascinated by this tropical, permanently warm climate and the animals in it with their blaze of color.
It's just great to bring a piece of rainforest into your living room.
So you always have a bit of vacation at home. "
Röck: "You shouldn't kill spiders in the house."
In the meantime, Röck, who works full time in the public service for the pension insurance, has turned his hobby into a sideline. He has registered a trade, trades in accessories, offers the construction, design and furnishing of terrariums. In his basement he tries to recreate the natural living conditions - the right temperature and sufficient humidity. For this purpose, the Kirchseeoner has also further developed and adapted nozzles to distribute water like fine mist in the terrariums.
And he likes to go to schools and kindergartens to introduce his animals.
“I just want to explain how important these animals are - including our spiders.
If they are in the apartment or in the house, they should not be killed but should be left outside. ”For his lectures, he built special transport boxes that can be heated.
His girlfriend, who is a nanny by profession, supports him with this idea.
Bite of a tarantula - compare to a wasp sting
Röck cannot then take all animals with him.
For example, a snake that is molting should not be moved.
"There are strict guidelines that I naturally adhere to, also in terms of animal welfare," says Röck.
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Non-toxic: a "terrible poison dart frog".
© Stefan Rossmann
The Kirchseeoner does not fear that his animals could break out and endanger people.
"That has never happened to me." But he sees few conflicts, not even with the tarantulas.
Their bite can be compared to the sting of a wasp.
However, if you are allergic to it, you could be at risk.
“I don't want to play down anything.” The neighbors know about his hobby and there are no problems.
“I deal with it very openly, don't hide anything.” And since he registered his trade, a sign has been hanging on the garden door anyway.
Further information:
tropenwelt-roeck.de
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