Chicago Exotic Pet Stores

[Oompa Loompa]

Hey all,

Hopefully I can prepare in advance for this one a little bit. I'll be in Chicago in about two weeks, and want to try and set aside a day to do nothing but check out exotic pet stores. Fish, reptiles, and birds in no particular order.
Any really cool places you can suggest? I want to go somewhere I can talk animals with some nice people, get to play with some animals, and just have a good time.
So far my list has:

• Aquarium Adventures (up in Hoffman Estates NW of the city)
• Chicago Fish/Coral/Reptile/Bird House
• Aquatica (in Tinley Park, pretty close to the one above)
• Curious Creatures (reptiles, in the city)
• Windy City Parot (in the city)

Not thinking to do Shedd, I just did it this past June. Looking to do more of an interactive tour, getting to know people and playing around with animals.
Any other suggestions of stores to go? May have to make it over two or three days, get up to Aquarium Adventures and hit up any stores up that way in a day, down to Aquatica/Reptile House another day, then hit up all the stores in the city another day. We'll see though.

Any good monster stores? Platinum stuff, rays, etc? Saltwater monsters?

Take care,
Drew

 

[jstevenz]

animal island in midlothian is hands down the best for exotics. both fish and reptiles

 

[lmt6600]

datz cichlid (Justin) is a breeder in Far NW suburb(mchenry), he's got a warehouse where he breeds Africans and also some nice boas, if its not too far of a drive check him out. Great guy but he only go to his warehouse on certain hours. Check out his hours on FB. Super nice guy and he's got some serious nice looking fish and boas.
If you make it up there Birds and beast is small store also in crystal lake that you might want to check out.