Sheffield snake and cake cafe to address reptiles' 'bad rep'

Ellie Colton met Darwin the boa constrictor who will feature at Sheffield's new reptile cafe

The owners of a new reptile cafe say they want to help address the creatures' "bad rep".

Debs and Declan Tormey said while some people were afraid of lizards and snakes they were in fact "as loving as every other pet".

The couple hope their new venture, with experiences such as "snake and a cake", will remove the stigma around reptiles.

Mrs Tormey said: "Once you get over the fact they are reptiles you can appreciate how cute they are."

Speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield, she said: "I personally love all animals but reptiles have got a bit of a bad rep and I just really want to encourage people to realise that they are incredible creatures."

The couple currently own 14 snakes and 11 lizards alongside many other insects and mammals.

The couple, from Sheffield, already run a pet sitting and animal encounter business in the city but later this year plan to open The Cosy Chameleon in Totley.

The cafe will be used to show off their collection of 25 reptiles, including Darwin, a boa constrictor, and Charlie, a jewelled lacerta.

Mr Tormey said: "These animals, through our evolution, we've had to be afraid of - they have a posed a threat in the past - but now, with a little bit of understanding they are as loving as every other pet on the market.

"We love these guys as much as we do our cat and dog."