About

AquaTerra Exotic Pets was founded in 2022 by Joey Morena, known online as @aqua.terry.

Joey’s passion for animal care began at just six years old with his first fish tank. By age 10, that passion had grown into a collection of over 20 freshwater and saltwater aquariums of varying sizes. Around this time, he acquired his first reptile—a leopard gecko—which sparked a deeper interest in reptile care and breeding. After expanding his collection, Joey began breeding leopard geckos, marking his first step into the exotic animal industry.

In the summer of 2024, Joey was presented with a rare opportunity to care for a two-headed turtle. By documenting his experience and sharing updates about “Barf and Belch,” he quickly gained widespread attention—amassing over half a billion views and nearly one million followers across social platforms. As his audience grew, so did opportunities, with others entrusting him with additional rare animals. This led to the development of one of the largest living collections of two-headed animals, including four two-headed turtles and “Ouros and Boros,” the two-headed ball python.

Throughout his journey, Joey encountered challenges within the exotic pet industry, including receiving sick animals. These experiences strengthened his commitment to raising standards and promoting ethical, responsible animal care. He began serving his local community by providing healthy, well-cared-for animals, while building a vision that extended beyond a local reach.

Today, AquaTerra Exotic Pets has expanded nationwide through aquaterraexoticpets.com, allowing Joey to share his expertise with customers across the United States.

What began as a childhood hobby has grown into a mission-driven business—one where a passion for animals continues to thrive.

AquaTerra Exotic Pets has also taken Joey across the globe, with travels to countries including Mexico, Indonesia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Colombia, and Venezuela. These experiences have provided the opportunity to work directly with a wide range of species in their natural environments, expanding both his knowledge and hands-on expertise.

During his travels, Joey has worked closely with species such as king cobras and anacondas, assisting in safely relocating them away from farms and villages to protect both people and wildlife. These experiences are documented on his YouTube channel (@aquaterraexoticpets).

Back in the United States, AquaTerra has worked with organizations including The LegaSea Aquarium, The Bronx Zoo, Plumpton Park Zoo, ARCA (Amazon Rescue and Conservation Alliance), as well as international organizations such as the Costa Rica Zoo and Imire Rhino & Wildlife Conservation.

Whether you are a hobbyist, breeder, zoo, or simply interested in learning more, we invite you to join our growing community. Check out our YouTube below for updates on what we're up to!