| Attending A Reptile Show or Expo |
If you are a reptile enthusiast, or even a person who has
no pet reptiles, but simply finds all manner of snakes and
lizards fascinating, then attending a reptile show could be a
lot of fun. There are shows in or within close driving
distance to most major metropolitan areas, with some of
the larger shows drawing large crowds of out of state
buyers as well. At a good sized show, you will see all
manner of animals-- maybe even venomous displays! It's
very exciting, and can be a good opportunity to buy a pet
reptile, but please keep the following things in mind.
no pet reptiles, but simply finds all manner of snakes and
lizards fascinating, then attending a reptile show could be a
lot of fun. There are shows in or within close driving
distance to most major metropolitan areas, with some of
the larger shows drawing large crowds of out of state
buyers as well. At a good sized show, you will see all
manner of animals-- maybe even venomous displays! It's
very exciting, and can be a good opportunity to buy a pet
reptile, but please keep the following things in mind.
| 10 Tips For Reptile Show Attendees |
1. Leave your own personal pets (including reptiles,
dogs, etc) at home!
dogs, etc) at home!
| Reticulated python shown @ Baltimore Repticon. 5.15.10 |
Reptile shows involve bringing together of large numbers
of animals, of any given species. Some are wild caught.
Any animal can be carrying parasites or any number of
contagious diseases, including cryptosporidium, which can
be lethal to herps and is quite difficult to treat.
For this reason, it is safest to leave your own pet reptiles
at home. Dogs can also be a problem at a show, as aisles
are often crowded with people. Dogs also make it difficult
for owners to relax and enjoy themselves.
Do yourself and your other pets a favor and leave them
safe at home!!
2. If you are hoping to make a purchase, bring cash.
Many show vendors are not equipped to handle credit
card transactions, or choose not to. Some show localities
will have an ATM, but the lines can be very long, and not
all vendors will hold an animal while you drive somewhere
else to find an ATM. If you want to guarantee your ability
to purchase, bring cash.
3. Don't ask to hold an animal unless you are
seriously interested in purchasing it.
Generally speaking, most vendors at reptile shows are
there to sell their animals, in addition to educating people
about the care their species requires. It is distracting for
them to be inundated with requests to hold animals from
people who are not interested in purchasing said animal. It
can also be dangerous for the animal and handler alike--
animals can be exposed to diseases and handlers can get
bitten. Do yourself and the animal a favor, and restrict
handling to live animal displays that are clearly set up for it.
of animals, of any given species. Some are wild caught.
Any animal can be carrying parasites or any number of
contagious diseases, including cryptosporidium, which can
be lethal to herps and is quite difficult to treat.
For this reason, it is safest to leave your own pet reptiles
at home. Dogs can also be a problem at a show, as aisles
are often crowded with people. Dogs also make it difficult
for owners to relax and enjoy themselves.
Do yourself and your other pets a favor and leave them
safe at home!!
2. If you are hoping to make a purchase, bring cash.
Many show vendors are not equipped to handle credit
card transactions, or choose not to. Some show localities
will have an ATM, but the lines can be very long, and not
all vendors will hold an animal while you drive somewhere
else to find an ATM. If you want to guarantee your ability
to purchase, bring cash.
3. Don't ask to hold an animal unless you are
seriously interested in purchasing it.
Generally speaking, most vendors at reptile shows are
there to sell their animals, in addition to educating people
about the care their species requires. It is distracting for
them to be inundated with requests to hold animals from
people who are not interested in purchasing said animal. It
can also be dangerous for the animal and handler alike--
animals can be exposed to diseases and handlers can get
bitten. Do yourself and the animal a favor, and restrict
handling to live animal displays that are clearly set up for it.
| Alligator Snapping Turtle exhibited by Rick Krumrine Reptiles @ Repticon Baltimore. |
| Reptile shows offer a chance to observe unique and potentially deadly specimens up close. This is a Rhinocerous Viper from a 2009 Hamburg, PA Reptile Expo. |
4. Research any animal purchase BEFORE you buy.
This is your responsibility as a responsible reptile
owner.
Some breeders and exhibitors at reptile expos are 100%
honest about the animals they own and sell. They will tell
you that the cute little 18" leopard spotted burmese python
you've been ogling can eventually reach 18 feet in length
and 200 pounds or more in weight. Others will gloss over
such negative traits or deliberately provide misinformation
to prospective buyers in order to "move" the animal.
Buyer beware! It is your responsibility to research housing
and environmental needs for any animal you might want to
bring home, and it is a very good idea to do this research
BEFORE you buy to avoid heartbreak (or a potentially
dangerous situation!) later.
5. Know your local reptile laws prior to purchasing
any animal.
This can be especially true if the show you are attending is
out-of-state. Do not expect the vendors to know whether
the species you are considering purchasing is illegal to
possess where you live. A good example of this would be
venomous reptiles and crocodilians being illegal to own in
the state of Maryland, but being sold at shows in
Pennsylvania. I could easily purchase a baby alligator or
copperhead at the Hamburg expo, completely legally, but
bringing it into Maryland would be illegal. When keepers
get caught by the authorities with illegal animals, it makes
the entire industry look bad. So do us all a favor and really
know your local laws. Some of them can be quite bizarre,
so never assume that even a gentle, small snake is legal.
The town of Storm Lake, IA, for instance, has banned all
constrictor snake species for being owned in its borders.
This includes everything from cornsnakes and ball pythons
to larger boids like boas and Burms.
This is your responsibility as a responsible reptile
owner.
Some breeders and exhibitors at reptile expos are 100%
honest about the animals they own and sell. They will tell
you that the cute little 18" leopard spotted burmese python
you've been ogling can eventually reach 18 feet in length
and 200 pounds or more in weight. Others will gloss over
such negative traits or deliberately provide misinformation
to prospective buyers in order to "move" the animal.
Buyer beware! It is your responsibility to research housing
and environmental needs for any animal you might want to
bring home, and it is a very good idea to do this research
BEFORE you buy to avoid heartbreak (or a potentially
dangerous situation!) later.
5. Know your local reptile laws prior to purchasing
any animal.
This can be especially true if the show you are attending is
out-of-state. Do not expect the vendors to know whether
the species you are considering purchasing is illegal to
possess where you live. A good example of this would be
venomous reptiles and crocodilians being illegal to own in
the state of Maryland, but being sold at shows in
Pennsylvania. I could easily purchase a baby alligator or
copperhead at the Hamburg expo, completely legally, but
bringing it into Maryland would be illegal. When keepers
get caught by the authorities with illegal animals, it makes
the entire industry look bad. So do us all a favor and really
know your local laws. Some of them can be quite bizarre,
so never assume that even a gentle, small snake is legal.
The town of Storm Lake, IA, for instance, has banned all
constrictor snake species for being owned in its borders.
This includes everything from cornsnakes and ball pythons
to larger boids like boas and Burms.
| American Alligator hatchling @ Hamburg Reptile Expo in 2009. |
6. Expect to see animals housed in temporary
transportation containers.
Some of the containers will be quite small, but smaller
containers make transportation safer for delicate animals.
Most breeders keep their animals in larger setups at home.
7. Examine all possible purchases for signs of mites
or disease, and avoid those that are clearly unhealthy
looking.
As mentioned earlier, some breeders are very careful about
only selling the healthiest animals, and taking steps to keep
them that way. Other vendors at shows are less careful,
and some are buyers-resellers, meaning they will take
animals from anyone for trades or sale, and then re-sell
them to other individuals. These vendors carry a great risk
along with their generally good prices. Be sure to
quarantine ANY animal purchased at a show or elsewhere
away from your regular collection. Give it several weeks in
quarantine to ensure that it is mite and disease free.
Please avoid the temptation to "rescue" animals that are
clearly unhealthy and sick from less scrupulous vendors. By
taking the animal in, you are setting yourself up for pain and
providing money to an individual that does not care about
the animals he or she is selling. You aren't doing anyone a
favor by helping to keep these people in business.
transportation containers.
Some of the containers will be quite small, but smaller
containers make transportation safer for delicate animals.
Most breeders keep their animals in larger setups at home.
7. Examine all possible purchases for signs of mites
or disease, and avoid those that are clearly unhealthy
looking.
As mentioned earlier, some breeders are very careful about
only selling the healthiest animals, and taking steps to keep
them that way. Other vendors at shows are less careful,
and some are buyers-resellers, meaning they will take
animals from anyone for trades or sale, and then re-sell
them to other individuals. These vendors carry a great risk
along with their generally good prices. Be sure to
quarantine ANY animal purchased at a show or elsewhere
away from your regular collection. Give it several weeks in
quarantine to ensure that it is mite and disease free.
Please avoid the temptation to "rescue" animals that are
clearly unhealthy and sick from less scrupulous vendors. By
taking the animal in, you are setting yourself up for pain and
providing money to an individual that does not care about
the animals he or she is selling. You aren't doing anyone a
favor by helping to keep these people in business.
| Interesting mouse exercise apparatus! From Repticon Baltimore, 2010. |
| Baby amazon tree boas packed for travel in a large deli cup. Repticon 2010. |
8. Maintain control of your children and teach
them good sanitation procedures.
Children often love attending reptile shows. The
experience can introduce them to a wide variety of
reptiles and generate a life long interest in
herpetology. Children can also be quite destructive if
allowed to wander freely. Toddlers in particular have a
tendency to grab things, so please make sure your
children are not within reach of animals in deli cups or
loose animals. Also, teach older children the
importance of proper handwashing in preventing
zoonotic diseases like salmonella.
9. When purchasing an animal, ask for the sellers
business card or current contact number, and be
sure to ask about any guarantees the seller might
offer.
Many sellers will offer some form of written guarantee
on their animals health. Not all do. If a guarantee is
offered, try to get it in writing and obtain current
contact info so that if something goes wrong or you
later have questions about the animal, you can reach
the seller. If a seller is unwilling to provide contact
information, you might be better served to look
elsewhere.
10. When you return home from a show, it is a
good idea to take off the clothes you wore before
entering your reptile room or handling your
reptile.
Some diseases and parasites can "hitch rides" on your
clothing and infect your collection. Better safe than
sorry-- change your clothes! Some people prefer to
shower as well before directly contacting their own pet
reptiles. One can never be too safe and careful when
the health of your entire collection depends on it!
them good sanitation procedures.
Children often love attending reptile shows. The
experience can introduce them to a wide variety of
reptiles and generate a life long interest in
herpetology. Children can also be quite destructive if
allowed to wander freely. Toddlers in particular have a
tendency to grab things, so please make sure your
children are not within reach of animals in deli cups or
loose animals. Also, teach older children the
importance of proper handwashing in preventing
zoonotic diseases like salmonella.
9. When purchasing an animal, ask for the sellers
business card or current contact number, and be
sure to ask about any guarantees the seller might
offer.
Many sellers will offer some form of written guarantee
on their animals health. Not all do. If a guarantee is
offered, try to get it in writing and obtain current
contact info so that if something goes wrong or you
later have questions about the animal, you can reach
the seller. If a seller is unwilling to provide contact
information, you might be better served to look
elsewhere.
10. When you return home from a show, it is a
good idea to take off the clothes you wore before
entering your reptile room or handling your
reptile.
Some diseases and parasites can "hitch rides" on your
clothing and infect your collection. Better safe than
sorry-- change your clothes! Some people prefer to
shower as well before directly contacting their own pet
reptiles. One can never be too safe and careful when
the health of your entire collection depends on it!
| Gaboon Vipers are a beautiful but deadly species often seen at shows including venomous snakes. Photo taken @ Northern Berks Reptile Show in 2009. |
| There are very few opportunities to see such a wide variety of reptiles and amphibians as can be found at your local herp show. The best way to locate shows is to go online to search engines like Google or reptile specific forums. See our LINKS page for more info. |
| This blood python has the potential to reach 6' in length and live for 20 or more years if given appropriate care. It is the buyer's responsibility to research the needs of an animal prior to purchasing it. Photo taken at Daytona NARBC 2010. |
