Exotics of the Rainforest

Name: Exotics of the Rainforest
Address: 4900 Tally Ho Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114, USA, Albuquerque, NM, US
Telephone: (505) 896-3133
Rating: 4.2

4.2(5) Albuquerque, NM

Directions Website

About Exotics of the Rainforest

Exotics of the Rainforest offers a unique mobile animal entertainment experience, bringing educational and interactive shows featuring rainforest animals (specifically birds and snakes) directly to homes, private parties, schools, and community centers. Known for engaging audiences of all ages with professional, fun, and often funny programs, they focus on animal welfare and respectful interaction. A key value proposition includes opportunities for Q&A, learning about the rainforest, and witnessing animal tricks like parrots performing.

What parents should know

Summarized from real visitor reviews.

Best for: Children's birthday parties (with awareness of noted concerns)Private parties and family gatherings seeking unique entertainmentEducational programs for schools, daycare centers, or community groupsMulti-generational events where guests of all ages need to be entertained and educatedIn-home animal encounters for a special occasion

Why families love it

Professional and friendly presenters (Carolyn and Sparky specifically named)
Shows are fascinating, fun, educational, and entertaining for all ages
Programs are well-organized and delivered with high professionalism (though one review notes a specific lapse)
Engaging for a wide audience, from 'little kids' to 'teenagers' and 'older guests'
Opportunities for questions, learning, and laughter are integrated into the program
Animals are consistently described as 'very well cared for' and handled with 'respect and love'

Insider tips

If booking for a private event, consider discussing presenter conduct and expectations beforehand to avoid potential bickering issues
Be aware that birds may interact directly with guests, and while bites are reportedly minor, they can occur during flying segments
For private parties, clarify food and refreshment policies for presenters in advance to avoid awkward situations regarding them asking for or taking party food
Leverage the Q&A opportunities as they are highly praised for learning and engagement

Good to know before you go

If you are highly sensitive to potential unprofessional conduct (like bickering) in front of children
If you have very young or highly anxious children who might be distressed by a bird landing on or potentially biting them, even if minor
If you are uncomfortable with performers requesting or taking significant amounts of party food
Presenters (an 'elderly couple' by one account) were observed bickering and arguing with each other in front of children during a private party
During a bird flying segment, a bird landed on one child and bit them (described as 'not bad' but left a 'sour note')

Value: One parent reported paying $250 for a child's birthday party. While many reviews praise the educational and entertainment value as outstanding, this specific price point was associated with a negative experience including unprofessional conduct and a minor animal incident, leading to a perception of poor value by that individual. Other 5-star reviews imply a positive value for a unique, educational, and highly engaging animal encounter that comes to your location.
Food: No general food policy for a venue, as this is a mobile service. However, one parent reported that the presenters directly asked for and took a significant amount of birthday cake and cookies (about a dozen) from a private party without prior arrangement.
Accessibility: No specific accommodations for special needs were mentioned in the reviews. As a mobile service, accessibility would largely depend on the chosen venue.
Safety: One review mentioned a bird landing on and biting a child during a show, though the bite was not severe. No other explicit safety features were mentioned. However, multiple positive reviews highlight that animals are 'very well cared for' and interactions are 'filled with nothing but respect and love,' suggesting a focus on animal welfare that implicitly contributes to safety.

What parents say

Tomie Rael

5.0

"Carolyn and Sparky are very professional and friendly, they are the sweetest couple and take amazing care of their pets, the shows are fascinating and so much fun. They are amazing with kids and adults alike. The way they interact with these animals is filled with nothing but respect and love. Highly recommend their shows!"

2 years ago

Debi SAYLOR

5.0

"It has been a few months but I attended a private party as a guest where there was a performance by Exotics of the Rainforest. The program was educational, funny, entertaining, and enjoyable for people of all ages. The little kids enjoyed the party, the teenagers were involved and completely entertained, and the older guests were fascinated by the whole experience. It was a great opportunity for questions, learning, and laughing. The animals were very well cared for and the program was well organized. It is certainly understandable why this business has an outstanding reputation in the communi"

5 years ago

Margaret Johnson

1.0

"I hired them for a child’s birthday party. The elderly couple are entertaining without the birds and snakes. Unfortunately they bicker and argue with each other in front of children. When they had the birds fly overhead one landed on one of the kids and bit them although the bite wasn’t bad it left a sour note with me. They asked if they could have some birthday cake and cookies and had the nerve to stuff about a dozen of the cookies in a sweatshirt pocket. I don’t recommend these people at all especially at $250."

5 years ago

Reviews sourced from public Google data.