Urban Jungle

One of my main reasons for going to the Hong Kong Reptile Expo was to find out about suppliers for snake keepers: shops that sell cages, substrate, food, and generally provide all sort of information that can come in handy.

I got refered to a shop called 'Urban Jungle', based in Mongkok's famous aquarium street. In typical Hong Kong fashion this shop is located on the first floor, and where there is a sign above the entrance to the building and a big sign on the wall next to it, that's where the singalisation stops. So when I walked up I passed right by the shop, as the name is not on the door. There was a poster with some pictures of tortoises on the wall next to the door but no name. Since the only other shop in the building seemed to specialise in fishtanks and aquarium fish, I went back to the first floor and went into the shop with the turtle poster - which turned out to be Urban Jungle.

They have a lot of stuff in their shop. Snakes. Albino tortoises. Lizards. And many more - surprising how many animals you can keep in a relatively small space. They also sell all the supplies I needed to get started: a proper cage (different sizes and models available), substrate (Aspen), mice. They sell frozen mice as well as live ones.

Obviously this was great, but what's equally important is that the guy who assisted me (I'll find out his name) spoke fluent English, was very helpful and knew what he was talking about. It's great to know that if I have any questions or need assistance I can find someone who can at least guide me in the right direction.

I bought a proper cage (structurally sound, strong enough, proper lock, assembled), Aspen substrate and frozen mice. Heating for the cage is not necessary at this point, my appartment is warm enough during summer, and neither is additional lighting. When winter comes I'll get a heating mat as temperatures here in Hong Kong go below the comfort level for a ball python and appartments have little or no insulation so it does get colder inside too.

Overall experience: great. Friendly and helpful staff with good knowledge, decent prices, open late, and a source of knowledge. All on the first floor of a tong lau in Mongkok.


Urban Jungle
1st floor, 148 Tung Choi Street
Mongkok, Hong Kong
Open noon - 9pm