Friday, March 29, 2024 | Ramadan 18, 1445 H
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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Transforming his phobia into a business

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Baraah Al Mujaini


Nasser al Rawahi was not a fan of reptiles. There was even a point that he was repulsed by them distancing himself away from these animals whenever he sense their presence.


But that repulsion and phobia would eventually go away and discovering the amazing potential of raising and selling reptiles, he fell in love working with them and eventually discovered his gifts of caring for them.


"The first time I touched a snake, it was only because my friend forced me to do it. My friend firmly insisted that I give it a try. It felt awkward'', Nasser said.


But from that encounter, Nasser learned to keep an open mind. His curiosity also grew and from being scared, he became engrossed in learning about them. He read different materials and interacted with other experts to understand the lives of reptiles including his enemy back in the days — snakes.


The early interest would become an all-consuming passion. That passion will then develop into a business. In a short amount of time, Nasser is the go-to supplier of live snakes to buyers.


Having done his studies and readings, Nasser gained expertise in how to handle and care for them. He also became very proficient in identifying them when he sees them.


Having dived into the world of selling reptiles, he exerted efforts to better himself in understanding them. He spent countless hours trying to research the different reptiles around the world.


Nasser’s keenness to procure unique reptiles became his dominant concern, therefore, he exerted sustained effort to hone and sharpen his skills in investigating and researching the reptile world.


“Now, I can detect and examine different reptiles’ species precisely and easily in terms of their rareness degree and venom level'', Nasser shared.


Pioneering something like reptile selling is new in Oman which is why Nasser has to contend with different issues. Sometimes policies are still in their infancy when it comes to requirements as well as import and export licenses. Nasser said that the paperwork is some of the most critical challenges that hinder him from doing good business and expanding what he does.


"What I do is that I order online some of the unique species that are not available locally in stores or pet markets. Thankfully, there are a lot of good suppliers globally. The online delivery also allows me to save on time and usually, orders are received faster'', he said.


Nasser is advocating that love for animals and reptiles should be built up in Oman and among Omanis. Nasser said that such passion for reptiles is not only a lucrative business but more interest in these creatures may actually result eventually for the industry to develop and eliminating the regional or international suppliers.


Due to the nature of his business, Nasser shared that he met several Omanis who are just as interested as him in raising reptiles as pets.


"I've met several amateur Omanis who have the same passion for reptiles. Over time, I expect this interest to gain popularity. This is already big within the neighbouring countries'', said Nasser.


Nasser's home has become a centre of entertainment and offers a thrilling atmosphere for kids who are visiting. He is happy to see kids interact with the different animals including snakes and chameleons and he thinks that along with this interest is the education that he can share with those who visit his home.


Nasser also explained that he is on the constant lookout for new information as well as he wanted to create a suitable environment for all the different reptiles he has in his possession. He said he is very specific about lighting, cages, soil and food and has been studying the fundamentals. He also explained that he is in constant collaboration and consultation with reliable sources.


As of now, Nasser is focused on diversifying his collection. He said that it's a strenuous task but his goal is to become a reptile supplier in Oman and that means collecting all the interesting species he can find.


As an aid to his dream of becoming a major reptile distributor, he is also looking into expanding the area where he hosts the reptiles. He also wanted his shop to be interactive for his guests.


Oman is one of the most diverse countries in the Middle East and is home to more than 79 different species of reptiles. Preserving and securing Oman's environment is compulsory to avoid the extinction of the immensely-rare reptiles and to boost wildlife tourism in the country.


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