Today we’d like to introduce you to Penni Brenke.
Hi Penni, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
What is Cowabunga Cresties?
Cowabunga Cresties is located in Southern Minnesota. Primarily focused on breeding Correlophus Ciliatus, commonly known as the crested gecko. My 3 main focuses on breeding crested geckos are Olives, Tigers, and Dark Phantoms. I take a lot of pride in my animals, and how they are represented.
I started my journey back in 2021 for breeding these little guys, however I have always been a little different than having an interest in just cats or dogs for pets. Growing up I would always be outside catching bugs or frogs and toads. I was so much more interested in the more exotic pets. Once I was old enough to be responsible for my own pet I was able to get a bearded dragon as my first pet that was only mine. After a few years I had eventually gotten more bearded dragons and expanded into keeping other kinds of reptiles. Some of the reptiles I have kept are Bearded Dragons, iguanas, chameleons, snakes, chahoua, and tortoises, along with the crested geckos.
In all honesty breeding was never something I had thought of doing … it just happened, and I don’t think I would change it now. I had originally gotten a male crested gecko as a pet and i absolutely loved it. My first ones name is Bean i still have the little rascal to this day. I ended up wanting a second one that I named Jelly, so I had Jelly and Bean. Jelly actually ended up laying fertile eggs not long after I had gotten her and I incubated the eggs and her first babies had hatched June 23, 2021. And that was the moment I fell in love with it and decided I wanted to breed them. I had also decided that I wanted to breed for that specific color… Olive.
Olive cresties were basically forgotten about and I had decided to have them make a comeback. 5 years later i am still continuing my goals with them and making their color even better
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Overall I would say its been relatively smooth. There have definitely been some bumps in the road to where things happen and plans need to change or be adjusted.
Working with animals there will always be something to happen. Whether they get sick and need vet care, they don’t want to breed, they don’t lay eggs, and sometimes your animals will die. These are all things that have happened to me where plans have needed to change.
And sometimes your breeding goals change as well.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
What sets me apart from others in this hobby is what my focuses are, Olives, Dark Phantoms, or Tigers. There are not very many people in the hobby that works with these morphs or colors. I also work very hard towards making sure my animals are happy and healthy. People will come find my pages and specifically look for what I am working with. The biggest thing people reach out to me for is my olives or my dark stuff.
I really love to take pictures of my animals as well. I’d like to consider it one of my passions along with breeding the crested geckos. I really like to think they go hand in hand with each other as they both help intensify the beauty of each other. I always get comments about how much better my animals look in person vs my pictures and I take really good pictures.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Collaborations:
I am very selective and picky as to what goals are set. There are definitely people that collaborate with when they have animals that can help reach these goals in mind. I am also much more likely to collaborate with someone I have met and has goals similar to mine or to help enhance each others projects. Ideally the goal is to do these to benefit each breeder in the collabs.
Support:
There are a few ways to support.
First is via social media. You can follow my social media pages. I have a Facebook page and an Instagram page both of which will be linked here:
https://www.instagram.com/cowabunga_cresties/
https://www.facebook.com/CowabungaCresties
The second way would be by purchasing an animal from me. I can be reached 4 different ways, via my facebook or instagram messages, my morph market page or my email
https://www.instagram.com/cowabunga_cresties/
https://www.facebook.com/CowabungaCresties
https://www.morphmarket.com/stores/cowabunga
cowabungacresties@gmail.com
The final method I can be supported is by recommending me to others. All of these methods are greatly appreciated
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.morphmarket.com/stores/cowabunga
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cowabunga_cresties/
- Email: cowabungacresties@gmail.com
