Shane Richins

Scales & Tails Utah Founder

Shane’s love of reptiles began as a child who loved to catch and chase snakes and lizards in Utah. His fascination grew with his raising of a pet iguana named Horse.

Shane wanted to know everything he possibly could about the natural world and now has collected a library of books and documentaries on the subject. He has spent time volunteering with a python breeder and Snake Farm & Animal World Zoo in Texas. Shane has also spend many hours working with Danny Conner’s Reptile Adventures and several venomous professionals to gain experience working with crocodillians and venomous snakes.

Shane loves sharing his knowledge and love of reptiles. Knowledge can clear up misunderstandings that many have about these interesting animals.

Rindy Richins

Business Manager

Rindy Richins was born in Moab, Utah. She was raised on a farm and grew up loving the outdoors. She has been a river guide on the Colorado River and presently teaches skiing part-time at Alta ski resort during the winter months. Rindy graduated from Southern Utah University with a Bachelor’s in Business Management with an emphasis in International Business. She uses her management skills to run Scales and Tails Utah as well as a seasonal wildland fire dispatcher during the summer months. She loves to travel and has been to Italy and Thailand as well as several countries in South and Central America. She has had a chance to swim with crocodiles, caiman, sharks and sting rays in her many travels. She became interested in reptiles more than a decade years ago when she met Shane Richins.

Christy Gleim

Show Lead

Christy was born and raised in West Valley City Utah and has had a love of all animals from a young age, even earning the nickname “Critter Sitter” as a young child. She moved to Georgia as an adult and raised three amazing children there while working in the entertainment industry at both Six flags over Georgia and the Georgia Renaissance Faire. Life brought her back to Utah where’s he and her husband Pete share a home with her daughter and four cats.

Soul searching and a bit of luck brought her to Scales and Tails where her love of all animals is shared with everyone she meets.

Davis Blair

Amphibian Specialist

Davis has always had a love for reptiles and has kept his own personal collection for years. He currently volunteers at Scales and Tails Utah as an amphibian specialist.

Cassie Combe

In-House Educational Specialist

Cassie was born and raised in Utah, She went to vet tech school at Mountain Edge Veterinary program for 2 1/2 years graduating with a Veterinary nursing certificate. Then she worked as a Vet Tech for 3 years. She has experience working with a wide variety of animals and wants to educate anyone who wants to learn more about these amazing animals! She loves to dedicate her time to taking care of the animals so they can live a great and happy life!

Lindsay Bull

Crocodilian Trainer

Lindsay grew up in Oklahoma City, moving to Provo, Utah for university in 2009. After graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science in English in 2013, she began working for Legrand North America, currently for the IP networking company, Luxul, where she does technical writing and manages social media and press. Hardly able to confine herself to a single job, she’s held side positions working for climbing companies since 2014 and currently works coaching recreational climbing classes for a local climbing gym. Lindsay’s passion for animals started as far back as her earliest memories, but she specifically recalls her infatuation with crocodilians beginning with an educational presentation on the reptiles one of her classmate’s fathers did when she was in kindergarten. Since then, she’s always loved the animals and hopes to help pass the interest in them on to the younger generations

River Richins

Owner’s Son

River is the newest edition to the Scales and Tails Family. While not old enough to really help out yet, he is typically there cruising around exploring the animal world he now lives in. River is the son of owners Shane & Rindy Richins.

Emery Richins

Owner’s Daughter

Emery is the second youngest of the Scales and Tails crew. Born into the life of reptiles and birds, she is an avid animal enthusiast who likes to teach other children her age about these amazing creatures. Emery loves to show people around the shop by giving tours and demonstrations with snakes, tortoises, and alligators. Emery is the daughter of owners Shane & Rindy Richins.

Reilly Raymond

Reptile Educator/Guide/Receptionist

Reilly has an undeniable pull for making animals a part of her life. Simply (and cheesily) put, they are what makes her soul feel whole. She currently have a Hog Island Boa, Brazilian Rainbow Boa, and Lab/Aussie mix. They are her family. She has experience working with a wide variety of animals as well as an incredible thirst to educate the general public on how wonderful they truly are.

Joey Jensen

Crew

Joey Jensen grew up locally in Utah, and found his inspiration for working with reptiles through a presentation done by our owner Shane Richins. Since that day, he’s thrown himself into his passion, spending hours watching nature shows with specific interest in The Crocodile Hunter and Gator Boys. He loves having the unique opportunity to work with all the animals at Scales and Tails and educating the public about them in a fun and hands-on environment.