Animal Wonders co-founder Jessi Knudsen Castañeda and Gaia, the Southern Three-Banded Armadillo. Gaia's species are found in south central South America and can roll completely into a ball. Animal Wonders located in Potomac offers live animal presentations for schools, churches and community events as well as birthday parties in homes.
Augusto Castañeda, co-founder of Animals Wonders, holding Blueberry, the Blue-Tongued Skink. Blue-Tongued Skinks are native to Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia and Tasmania.
Cas, a male Arctic Fox who is housed at Animal Wonders. He is the only Arctic Fox in Montana, and is friends with Seraphina, a Red Fox also at Animal Wonders.
This is a Russian Legless Lizard named Lizzy who lives at Animal Wonders. Legless lizards can be distinguished from snakes by their ears, eyelids and ventral scales. They are capable of living up to 50 years.
Animal Wonders in Potomac has more than 80 animals ranging from mammals to reptiles, amphibians to birds and invertebrates, domestics and lizards. Pictured is a Patagonian Cavy named Chili Pepper. These animals live in Southern Argentina and are rodents.
POTOMAC - Animal Wonders in Potomac is a non-profit corporation that houses animals while focusing on education and entertainment using exotic and domestic animals found all over the world.
Jessi Knudsen Castañeda and her husband Augusto Castañeda are the founders of Animal Wonders Inc. Since August 2008 they have been adding animals to their facility.
"We're sort of like a zoo, but instead of visiting a zoo, we bring the zoo to people," Jessi said.
The goals of Animal Wonders are to rescue displaced exotic animals and provide them a life-long home while also allowing them to become ambassadors for their species. This is accomplished through live presentations in Montana and weekly online videos.
Animal Wonders has a human team of seven to run the business. This includes exotic animal and local animal veterinarians. Management of the varied species includes expertise in researching exotic animal needs like nutrition and care, finance, marketing and legalities.
The employees and volunteers dedicate their time to giving the animals a life-long home and providing education about exotic and native animals.
Jessi received degrees in Exotic Animal Training and Management, Animal Behavior and Wildlife Education from Moorpark College in California.
The various animals come to Animal Wonders by rescue or donation from zoos. Some animals were illegally owned and then placed at Animal Wonders.
Some of the species housed at Animal Wonders would be illegal to own.
"We have three permits that allow us to house the kinds of species we have and give public presentations with them," said Jessi.
Altogether there are more than 80 animals including domestics. Mammals, amphibians, snakes, lizards, Chelonians, birds and invertebrates comprise the Animal Wonders' family.
There are South American mammals such as the prehensile tailed porcupine named Kemosabe, and the Southern Three-Banded Armadillo named Gaia. Sydney is a Woylie from Australia. Chili Pepper is a Patagonian Cavy found in Argentina. Pimms is a North American white rat.
Reptiles include Argos, a Mali Uromastyx lizard found in African deserts, and a Russian Legless Lizard named Lizzy.
Birds like Boxer who is an African Peach Faced Lovebird spends his days with his buddy Sprinkles, the Pacific Parrotlet.
Invertebrates include Professor Claw, the African Emperor Scorpion, and Fluffy, the Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula.
Domestic animals include Pashta the Spanish Mustang Quarter horse cross, Molly the Beagle and Ambros the cat.
Some of the animals are from tropical environments and have special needs.
"We have to maintain certain rooms at 75 degrees and increase humidity levels to provide the proper environment for certain species," Jessi said.
Some are a bit hardier. They keep a desert hawk outside but when the temperature drops below 35 degrees they turn on her heated perches and an overhead heat lamp, according to Jessi.
They are also building an addition for the Patagonian Cavy that will feature radiant floor heat covered with dirt so he can dig no matter the weather.
Jessi said she and her family are experiencing the ultimate joy by being able to live out their passion for animals and working their dream job. There is a lot of work involved as well.
"We work every single day because the animals have to eat every day."
"Building the animals' homes in Montana was no simple feat and maintaining funding for their care is always a priority," said Jessi. "It's a struggle to maintain a high quality of care for the animals while also handling the everyday duties of family and life. But it's absolutely worth it to us."
Animal Wonders offers live animal presentations for schools, churches and community events as well as birthday parties in homes.
"Getting to know who the animals are is essential for being able to give them the care they need in order to live a happy and healthy life," said Jessi.
For more information contact Jessi Knudsen Castañeda at 406-241-8964 or see them online at http://www.animalwonders.org The YouTube channel is Animal Wonders Montana or like them on Facebook at Animal Wonders Inc.
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