ELDORA — There’s a tortoise in the bookcase, a python in the next room and a turkey vulture in the backyard.
It’s business as usual for Steve Serwatka of New Jersey Nature, the man who takes what animal control officers dish out in the way of unwanted, often exotic or wild animals.
Serwatka, a former science teacher, current substitute teacher and veterinary technician shares his home with many turtles, frogs, two alligators, Red Tailed Hawks, vultures and a Great Horned Owl that has a crush on him since it’s mating season.
Of late, many exotic animals have been coming from Villas via Lower Township Animal Control Officer Don Montgomery. He delivered two alligators, a Burmese Albino Python and a tarantula, all apparently abandoned by their owners.
A number of turtles in residence were confiscated at airports, often from smugglers, said Serwatka. Some of the turtles have lived with him for more than 20 years while others have moved to Middle Township Middle School’s Aquaculture lab.
Once the word spread that Serwatka would care for reptiles and other exotics, animal con-trol officers began to bring him creatures. Some alligators that were nearing eight feet in length in his menagerie were sent to an aquarium in Point Pleasant, he said.
“We not encouraging anyone to turn in their illegal animals,” said Serwatka, who spends $700-$1,000 per month out-of-pocket feeding his collection of animals.
Sometimes a free meal comes in the way of fresh road kill, which is fed to one of his vul-ture or hawks. Otherwise the vultures eat frozen rats and mice, he said, as does the python.
Serwatka remembers ordering an alligator from an ad in the back of a comic book when he was eight years old. He said his mother confiscated the gator when the mailman delivered it.
His latest unusual guests, Surinam Toads, which are actually frogs, look as if they have been run over by a truck having a flat appearance like a leaf.
Birds on the premises have permanent injuries preventing their release, such as a blinded eye or a missing wing.
“They live forever in captivity,” said Serwatka. “You can’t place them, zoos don’t want them.”
His reptile room is well-heated with many residents basking under lamps for additional warmth. The room is alive with the sound of bubbling aerators and filters.
Serwatka proudly displays baby Wood Turtles that have just hatched, an endangered spe-cies in New Jersey. One of the more elderly residents is a 45-year old mud turtle.
He receives skunks and raccoons that turn up in yards in residential areas and returns them to the wild. A caller from Avalon found a skunk outside the house and told Serwatka “We don’t have skunks in Avalon.”
In the spring, baby birds are often brought to his home. After a time, they are released, he said.
“People will leave their apartments and leave birds behind,” said Serwatka, standing next to a cage with two parrots that were abandoned. “It’s crazy.”
He will bring his animals to classrooms, scouting groups, even birthday parties on request. For information call, (609) 861-2886.