Background information

Caught between repulsion fascination: in the land of a thousand creepy crawlies

31/5/2023

Translation: Jessica Johnson-Ferguson

It’s teeming with reptiles, amphibians, insects and crustaceans at Lorica. A total of 2,500 of them live at the largest reptile breeding station in Switzerland. Simone Piovan gave me a tour of their fascinating world, thereby giving a little foretaste of the upcoming series Too Creepy to Handle.

There’s a sound of rustling sand and cracking shells in the warm breeding chamber at Lorica (page in German), the reptile breeding centre in Zofingen. It’s hatching season for the roughly 900 tropical animals born here each year. They’re under the care of their tropical foster-father Simone Piovan. Back in 2011, he founded the company at the age of 32 together with Fabian Boffa, who’s now the CEO of Qualipet. Their goal: to take action against the suffering of imported exotic animals. «Eighty per cent of all creatures caught in the wild and imported to Switzerland died. We’re not willing to accept that. That’s why we started breeding them ourselves,» Simone Piovan explains.

It’s not by chance that this Indian praying mantis is sitting quietly on Simone Piovan’s. If it has enough to eat and likes the climate, it’s capable of staying in the same place for months.
Source: Christian Walker

The fight against poaching

For years, Simone and Fabian were knocking on doors at pet stores across Switzerland, raising awareness about how badly some importers keep and transport the animals and insects. «Although the import was official, they’d often leave them waiting to be collected in their countries of origin – often without food or water and putting them through weeks of being on the road. Many of the animals didn’t make it,» Simone Piovan explains.

Maybe: He and his business partner at the time pointed out the misconduct – a dangerous move at times , he reveals as he passes rare bush dragons. «There were two major wild-caught suppliers at the time, and we were making it difficult for them to do business. I was even getting death threats at one point.» But this didn’t stop him. And success soon followed. The suppliers are no longer trading and wild-caught specimens have pretty much vanished in the Swiss terraristics trade.

Simone Piovan guides me through the realm of 2,500 tropical animals and a total of 150 species.
Source: Christian Walker

Terrariums are also manufactured in the company’s very own production.
Source: Christian Walker

«Animal welfare isn’t lucrative»

So is business booming? Is Simone Piovan, now the sole owner and manager, raking in money with the roughly 1,000 animals and terrariums, feeds and substrates from his own production sold annually? «No, if you want to make money in this sector, this isn’t the way,» he says, «Animal welfare isn’t lucrative, but it’s our number one priority.»

It’s evident that he practises what he preaches when he takes a bearded dragon out of its terrarium. The lizard wriggles nervously between his fingers and Simone gently says, «Having a rough day, are you?» before putting it down again. His movements are slow and gentle as he reaches in to touch another animal. He waits for its reaction and only then picks it up. «Reptiles are even better at sensing how we’re doing than dogs and cats. So we should respect their needs, too.»

Because Simone Piovan keeps calm, so does the bearded dragon in his hand.
Source: Christian Walker

Not a fashion accessory

The tour continues past a terrarium where retired breeding lizards spend their sunset years. I ask Simone Piovan which tropical animal is easiest to keep. «None of them,» he replies. After giving him a surprised look, he explains that «easy» is a tricky word that often results in owners not taking sufficient care of their animals.

The leopard gecko is more forgiving of being kept in unsuitable conditions than other tropical animals. And yet, the animal needs to be treated with great care.
Source: Christian Walker

According to Simone Piovan, however, there are exotic animals that are more forgiving of mistakes, such as the leopard gecko or the dwarf bearded dragon. Nevertheless, the owner and manager won’t sell these animals to just any person. «If I feel someone isn’t interested in the animal or is just following a trend, I send them on their way. If you’re after something fashionable, get yourself a necklace.» Protecting nature is still as important to the owner and manager as it was twelve years ago. After all, it’s no coincidence he named his company Lorica after a type of Roman armour.

Meanwhile, something’s happening in the brood chamber, under the protective armour of egg shells. A baby bearded dragon breaks through the shell and sees the light of day. Its first day in a world that foster-father Simone Piovan has made a little more peaceful for him and his kind.

How do you feel about reptiles, amphibians and insects? Thanks for sharing your thoughts in the comments! And if you want to learn more about the inhabitants of Lorica, my three-part series Too Creepy to Handle will be taking a closer look at two extraordinary tropical animals every week. Click on the Follow button to stay tuned.

Simone Piovan doesn’t sell thorn-tailed dragons. Keeping them is too complex and prone to going wrong. Still, it’s a fascinating creature.
Source: Christian Waker

Header image: Christian Walker

58 people like this article

Darina Schweizer

Senior Editor

Darina.Schweizer@digitecgalaxus.ch

I like anything that has four legs or roots. The books I enjoy let me peer into the abyss of the human psyche. Unlike those wretched mountains that are forever blocking the view – especially of the sea. Lighthouses are a great place for getting some fresh air too, you know?

Background information

Interesting facts about products, behind-the-scenes looks at manufacturers and deep-dives on interesting people.

Show all

These articles might also interest you

Background information
Love is in the terrarium: lizards are clever
by Darina Schweizer
Background information
Too Creepy to Handle: «The worst ones are the ones without big biceps»
by Darina Schweizer
Background information
Adopting a cat, part 3: those turbulent first 24 hours
by Darina Schweizer