Published: May 14, 2009 03:58 pm      

Bluefield resident to create a haven for Reptiles and Amphibians

BLUEFIELD —



n this particular day, Helen was more hyper than usual. Not content to relax, she curled a knot in the bottom of 15-year-old William Sylvain’s black T-shirt, then moved her way up his chest and arm, trying to coil her slender body around his neck.

“Don’t let her go around your neck,” warned his father Matthew Sylvain.

Helen has grown six feet in two years, but Matthew said the Red Tail Boa from Central and South America can grow more than 15 feet long. And if her growth rate doesn’t impress an audience, her bite could convince otherwise. The snake has 1,000 teeth.

Helen is just one of 18 different species that lives at the Reptile Haven, a sanctuary and rescue shelter for reptiles in Bluefield. The snake was initially purchased by a family who changed their mind about the family pet. It is a common story Matthew said. Families buy small snakes and lizards, not realizing these animals can grow very big. They also require large amounts of food, like pre-killed rodents and vegetables. Often, an unwanted reptile is released into the wild. Tragically, some owners mistreat the animals, slowly starving them to death or killing them.

Matthew hopes to stop the mistreatment of these animals by acting as a rescue organization for reptiles and amphibians that have been injured, neglected, mistreated or unwanted. Using his own home, Matthew and his family have created a basement shelter, creating a temporary sanctuary with adequate tank space, a good environment and plenty of care.

From a Red Tail Boa to a Red Iguana, Matthew will not refuse any animal.

“I will take any animal, no matter its demeanor or health. We took one animal that was so far gone and only lasted two days before it died. It had a broken jaw,” Matthew said.

An animal lover, he didn’t always love the world of creepy and slithery creatures. A native of New Hampshire, he moved to Bluefield in March of 2001 with his wife, Heather. The father of five children, William, Ian, Caitri, Conor and McKenzie, he spent 13 years in the U.S. Army before moving to West Virginia. Looking for a job, he found himself in the pet industry, surrounded by reptiles.

“When I first walked in, I was scared to death of snakes. But I grew to understand them,” Matthew said.

He admits snakes are not his favorite animal. However, his son is comfortable around the snakes, even Phoebe, a Garden Tree Boa, commonly known as an Amazon Boa. But Phoebe is not up for adoption cautions Matthew. The snake is already six-and-a-half feet long, with a strike of five feet.

True to her aggressive nature, the snake watches every move from behind her Plexiglas cage. “She should not be sold in pet stores. Even I don’t feel totally comfortable around her, but this is what I do,” he said. “A guy brought her from a pet store and thought it would be cool, until he realized how dangerous she was.”

Matthew began bringing home unwanted animals during his years at local pet stores. Often, the store would not have room for the animal or it had been returned by a customer. If the store wouldn’t accept the creature, some frustrated owners threatened to release them in the wild. So, Matthew would bring the unwanted pets home. It is how he met his other love, Luminara, a rare Iguana.

“She is my prized possession. We have a love/hate relationship. I love her and she hates me,” he said, laughing.

“She is the main reason and how I decided what I want to do,” he said.

When he first met the Iguana, she had been mistreated. The owner wanted to release the animal into the woods, but a frustrated Matthew took the Iguana home.

“Its nails had been pulled off. The son got tired of dealing with it and tried to kill it by pulling its toes off. It really irritated me. The people who did this did a lot of damage.”

Besides Luminara, the Reptile Haven is home to Ozzy and Lita, both Brooks Gecko’s; Hector, a Western California Stink; Conan, a Ball Phython; Rob Zombie, a Nile Monitor from Africa; Delilah, a Dumerils Ground Boa from Madagascar, Africa and more. Conan is one of the easiest snakes for beginners because it is content to roll up in a ball. The snake will wait for food, not actively hunt like other snakes. Another creature for first-time buyers is the Mali Iromastyz. Named Spike, the lizard is a vegetarian, who will actually pay attention to a human’s voice.

“Spike is kind of my wife’s little pet. We just did a show and took Spike,” Matthew said.

Besides caring and housing these animals, the Sylvain’s take many of their adoptive animals on the road. Part of the Haven’s mission is educate the public and promote awareness about reptiles and amphibians. By visiting local libraries and other locations in the area, he hopes to give children and adults a reason to appreciate the species. If not appreciation, he hopes to educate the public.

“One of the biggest misconception is that reptiles only grow to the size of the tank, which is false. Another is that they can be tamed. I would never place myself in a situation to get bitten,” he said. “And lastly, there is lack of knowledge.”

For example, Matthew discourages pet owners from releasing any reptiles into the local area. While most are unable to adapt to the climate, they can still spread diseases and endanger native species. Also, he reminds animal lovers to never rescue wildlife and take it home. Once in captivity, the animal will never be able to survive alone. For example, he has two turtles at the Reptile Haven, taken from the side of the road by concerned motorists. They saved the turtles, but the turtles must now remain in captivity, Matthew said. Of course, the turtles are up for adoption.

The Reptile Haven’s adoption policies are strict. Within days of the adoption, the new owner must take the reptile to an experienced reptile and amphibian veterinarian and provide the right housing, food, water, light and heat for the animal. Also, a new owner cannot trade, sell, give away or abandon the reptile. If unable to care for the pet, it must be returned to Reptile Haven. Before adoption, Matthew will visit the home to inspect the pet’s new situation. If out of the area, he requires digital pictures, showing adequate tanks and food.

“My big goal is to have a place — either donated or built — and open it up to the public,” Matthew said. “I want to open it to the public where people can come in and understand reptiles.”

But he doesn’t want to create a zoo. Just like an animal shelter for dogs and cats, Matthew wants to create a reptile shelter, where people can adopt and learn how to correctly care for these animals.

“But we need more room. We are looking to provide a service to the area,” he said. There are currently 20 animals at the Reptile Haven.

A recent graduate of Bluefield State College — he graduated this weekend — Matthew is looking to make The Reptile Haven a non-profit organization. While he began taking unwanted animals five years ago, the need to take care of animals has become a priority.

“It has really taken off since last summer and spring,” he said. “We have made a good collection.”

He is currently working on two adoptions. For more information about The Reptile Haven, call (304) 887-4642. The Reptile Haven will be at the Craft Memorial Library on May 19 at 3:30 p.m. Children and adults will be able to meet snakes and lizards up for adoption.

— Contact Jamie Parsell at

jparsell@bdtonline.com.