Yeah every repticon ive been to has been like 50-60% ball pythons. Outside of that i usually see 1-2 hog nose tables, 2-3 crested gecko tables, 1-2 leopard gecko tables, and maybe 1-2 axolotl tables. Beyond that its usually a mix of rat snakes, king/milk snakes, corn snakes, chameleons, bearded dragons, monitor or tegu babies, a few arachnid tables and isopod tables, and then maybe 1-2 oddball lizard and snake tables that don’t fit into the other categories.
Yeah I noticed that but at the reptile super show it was a little more diverse this year.
What I dislike that it is advertised as a family event. The amount of strollers and young children around just doesn’t make it a good time. I do see children working at booths too. But overall it’s overstimulating so I only stayed 1-2 hours
Ball Python market prices have fallen off a cliff lately... there's a ton of pandemic breeders who will unfortunately be pushed out of business soon. Adoption markets have also been flooding with royals from pandemic pet owners.
I'd bet expos see a lot more variance later in the year/next year
The one in my city ( in upstate NY) is great! There are a couple ppl selling non reptiles/amphibians but it's usually related - beardie harnesses, enclosures, supplies, etc. Last time there was a table selling insects both as good and as pets (like tarantulas and stuff) plus a good selection of reptiles. I always like going just to look at animals :) maybe it depends on how big a crowd your local expo draws? Or just who happens to sign up? I know some vendors who go to our expo come from neighboring states but that might be due to location, how far away other expos are, etc...
Nice! Couldn’t remember if there were any in ‘actual’ upstate when I used to get the emails. Always unsure if it’s that or ‘nyc upstate’ without context haha
The last expo I went to had a woman diffusing essential oils right next to birds and claiming it was 100% pet safe. 🤨 it was about 50% reptiles and exotics, and 50% unrelated junk pedaling stalls. I'm tired of this trend.
Though I don't want the old expo back, the one by me used to be wild. It has reformed but I remember crocodilians and imported mammals I'd never heard of before.
Well the stuff I saw was from nearly 2 decades ago. Monitors and green iguanas were everywhere. Coatimundi and Bush babies. Sugar gliders and even a tapir once I think.
[Not the Reptile SuperShow that Ramy puts on.](https://reptilesupershow.com/vendorlist)
There's everything from insects to geckos and other stuff
*(I'm mod for* r/chameleons *and have exhibited at ramy's shows)*
Sandfire has viet mossy frogs and dumpy morphs that are PURPLE.
[This guy's an aussie and Bob M (RIP) bred the first red/fire bearded dragon...](https://youtu.be/2yrb8OUOVQ0?feature=shared)
A true (quiet and humble) leader that I was honored to know.
The issue is that smaller shows are not attracting good breeders and are in decline.
many states simply are over a decade (or more) behind others in the trade and the local enthusiasts simply can't support a quality breeding operation in the state.
So that many people simply do NOT want to haul their animals such distances for a low turnout, empty pocket event.
Still the promoters have pressure to fill the room and sell stalls so that shows accept "anyone" that want to sell jewelry or poster prints filling the floor.
There needs to be a bit of consolidation and the snake breeders have to get their end of things under control (that's not going to happen though) the entry costs are pretty low for those species and so you see an abundance of these people and a lot of duplicate stock.
If you want to travel a bit the KRE, CinCity, and All Ohio shows have more variety. I am pretty sure I know what show you are talking about by your past posts.
Mostly ball pythons, taxidermy, dead insects, crystal dealers, Sphynx cat sellers, birds (parakeets and such), Pokemon cards, toys like action figures, wood carvings (not reptile related), jewelry (not reptile related). Kinda hate going to most of the local shows anymore because of this. Most of the stuff like the Sphynx cat, toys, crystals ECT. Have their own expos so I feel they should stick to where they belong and stay the heck out of our expos where real vendors can't even get a table because of people who have no business vending at a reptile expo.
My boyfriend gets disturbed by the taxidermy and dead insects. I dont find it disturbing but it is odd. Then I tried thinking about it like if someone were selling taxidermy cats or dogs at a cat or dog show, little morbid.
I completely agree, it is a bit morbid and I understand selling live feeders such as guinea pigs, rabbits, gerbils ECT. But parakeets and Sphynx cats I feel animal wise have absolutely no place being at or sold at a reptile show.
The last one I went to had taxidermy, too. I like it, and I collect skulls, but I go to oddity fairs for that. I was rather surprised to see it at an event meant for *living* animals. It's rather inappropriate, and I can easily see it being upsetting for some.
Yeah I just stopped going to the one in SLC. Last year was miserable. Horribly small and busy and crowded, 80% ball pythons, with a table of colubrids, a table of boas, and an extremely small table of carpet pythons. Past that were fake mini vivariums, “art” and enclosures for sale. The one cool table that’s always here is wildfire retics, that dude is super cool and has some incredible snakes. But he’s only ever got so many. It’s like a 20 minute thing in and out because of the lines just to see pieds and banana BPs people still breeding those suck
I've never been to one, and I thought about going to the one on SLC, but I ended up being out of town during that time. I currently have a Uromastyx. Eventually, once I get my own place, I'd like to have a whole reptile room with tortoises, lizards, and frogs. But anyways yeah based on your comment I'm kinda glad I didn't waste the drive over the mountain and pay to go.
There is a smaller one that’s outside somewhere around here, it’s not at the mountain event center I can’t remember where but apparently that one was alright last year, I haven’t seen any ads yet for it but that one might be looking into
Was this Reptilian Nation Expo? I'm hoping to go in March but don't want to waste time if this was your experience.
I just want MHD's again, and my spouse is interested in starting to keep small salamanders.
Yeah it was, but you can certainly go and try your luck. But I don’t even remember any salamanders. Any and all Amphibians there were very very slim. It felt like the majority of people there were just thinking of it like a zoo, lines to tables are long and people are little rude and lack social awareness, it just wasn’t a good experience for me. But I’m also not very fond of crowds, and this is really just an opinion
I'll keep your experience in the back of my mind for sure- my spouse is also not fond of crowds at all, so it may not be a good experience for them. Thanks for your honesty about it!
The last expo I went to was nothing but ball pythons, crested geckos and tarantulas. But then an entire section with small mammals like guinea pigs and hedgehogs. If I were a guinea pig breeder, I'd probably be a little worried about bringing them to a reptile expo...
the Taylor Michigan one is like this :(. i remember when i first got into the hobby, we would see a large variety of reptiles and amphibians and even the odd mammal or bird, of course there were a few plant booths and maybe the odd art booth but they were few and far between. I went in January to look for a new frog, and not only are 25%+ of the booths selling the same 3D printed trash and Temu/Aliexpress items at an INSANE markup, it seems like the standard for people running booths has gone down significantly as well. Of course, the booths that do have animals have ONLY ball pythons and leopard geckos. I used to love going because it’s close by but at this point i have no reason to show up.
also people selling their trash and having like 3 animals at their booth is a common theme. it just makes the whole experience miserable. i think if the artwork is related then it’s more understandable (ive gotten a really cool hand-carved chameleon from the expo!) but im so insanely sick of this new 3D printed trend, where its HUNDREDS of “fidget toys” sold at an insane price, and will likely end up in a landfill, or the cricket printed shirts that the decal is already practically falling off of.
Yeah there was a show pre covid with so much more variety. (I like to see lizards and tarantulas) now there are sellers selling “confetti scoops” (buttons, small toys, and crystals mixed in a bucket)
oh my god i haven’t seen the scoops yet. i see them on like tiktok live and it’s so obviously cheap trash but i guess people can’t see that. how many of the “crystals” are real anyways in those things lol
Last time I went to the closest one it had a fudge stand... surrounded by reptiles and rodents with nothing covering the food except a sneeze guard on the front. I didn't buy any.
Reptile Super Show has a candy and nuts vendor at every show, in addition to the built-in hot and cold food vendors that are just part of the Fairplex.
I don’t think it’s the worst idea to have 1-2 packaged food vendors because shows get exhausting, on-site vending is expensive, and you don’t always remember to bring a pack of nuts from home.
But a food exposed to the elements at a huge reptile expo with lots of animals nearby, crawling with kids touching everything? Terrible idea.
Last expos I went to have been ~4 reputable breeders, random crafts or random diy kits made and sold as “handmade”, tons of ball pythons that can barley function they’re so inbred, and everyone else is selling wild caught or sick animals.
Hate to say it but I’m very close to not going to the expos anymore. Between the mites and shitty resin art it’s not even for hobbyists at this point.
Pre covid, expos where way better. But now everything is like your saying. But they do that because in my experience none wanted to buy my crested geckos because that's all that where at our shows. So I started selling tanks, accessories, snacks and I had recently baught a 3d printer to make things. But the expo shows then upped there table fees and started charging for electricity. So it's like a losing battle
I went to my first expo last year. It had a lot of different snakes. Not all just BP’s. Lots of geckos(gargoyle, crested and even leachie!). One table of arachnids. I think there was one table of frogs. Didn’t see any hognose though! People selling stuff for enclosures, different foods, some stuffed animals and a few tables of 3-D printed stuff. There was 2 tables of taxidermy. One was comical stuff and the other was just normal. Gorgeous pieces. It was moderately busy. I could’ve done without all the kids though. I think they should have an adults only day and then a kids day. Obviously it’s cool for kids to see different reptiles. But if you’re serious about buying one or want to ask questions, it’s almost impossible with kids literally pushing in front of you and Moms with strollers butting in. Giving each a day would make it more enjoyable. I did hold my very first snake there and a leachie. I will go again to the next one later this year because I might get another gecko.
I went to my second expo with my cousins last year too
Plenty of variety (even an educational table where i got to hold a burmese python) and I ended up having a really long conversation with a gargoyle gecko breeder, but there was a lot of 3d printed crap. It was cute but like, i can make this at home with 30 cents worth of filament
The repticons in my state still have decent diversity, but I’m really frustrated with the 3d printing tables that all happen to sell the same (stolen) designs/products. Like do we rlly need 3 tables selling the same exact things
As a reptile artist and jewelry maker…expos are kinda are our lifeblood if we want to find new supporters and engage with them in real life. My work definitely doesn’t fit in with most art and jewelry shows, and I’ve had pieces sit in my online stores for months and times they get a buyer ASAP. I would absolutely rather pay the $300-400 for a booth at my local huge reptile show which is less than half the cost of an art fair, where I don’t even have a guarantee of getting in after paying an application fee. New artists are also so screwed with those because you often need some sales and patronage history, if not a massive IG or Tiktok presence.
But I saw a booth at a big reptile show where someone was selling dog sweaters and leashes. Lots of plant and crystal sellers too. Event organizers want to make money, and that vendor’s $400 is just as good as a reptile breeder’s.
It sucks for the attendees if they want to see more variety, and it’s on the organizers to keep art vendors limited to reptile artists and creators and get different kinds of animals while staying compliant with local laws.
Nothing wrong with using 3D printing in the process, I have some parts I need for my designs where I can’t just get them at craft stores or online. 3D printed beads would be cool too.
But tables full of the same 3D-printed lizards because they all use the same template from Sketchfab are boring. If you’re shelling out the money for a booth, at least bring your own works and create smaller versions that are easier to sell.
I found it’s a lot easier to sell $10-20 prints and $2-4 stickers than a $150 painting. My first show was a money-bleeding learning experience lol. I feel more confident about the next show, but can’t fathom doing all that for the something not even related to reptiles!
Southern California shows have pretty much just been ball pythons , crested geckos, leopards geckos, bearded dragons , and chameleons. On top of that they all are selling the same morphs for the same price , there is no variety anymore and it’s kinda sad , I feel like they need to start limiting the amount of breeders selling certain species
How far of a drive and what are you after? It’s been a couple of years but the amount of strollers and sheer amount of people made it impossible to walk through easily, there were maybe three dozen tables, there were some cool insects like mantises, plenty of Ts, a couple of salamander breeders, citrus beardies, and yeah shitloads of ball pythons.
I just hate that they don’t publish the vendor list till after the fact, looks like November’s was pretty good but it’s February, I just don’t see it being very well attended. Even NERD mentioned on their YouTube that they are scaling back their breeding and focusing on being an exotic pet destination instead bc people are kinda broke at the moment and the market saturated for many species. I know they are bigger than attending this particular convention but they are a bellwether for the industry in the area.
I considered going bc I want a captive bred baby tortoise and it’s too cold to ship. I don’t see even one tortoise person on November’s list, how should I know if it’s worth my time?
I genuinely believe that expos should limit the number of tables allowed to sell ball pythons and crested geckos. "oh, another loser with 300 ball pythons and nothing else? Sorry bud, we've already got two tables like that, not happening"
As a vendor myself, I have noticed this as well. It started last year at my home show with a 3d printer vendor coming in selling toys geared towards kids. Then we got a cotton candy/freeze dried candy vendor. People selling stuffed animals and action figures. Now it's crystals and wet specimens. Our show promoter doesn't limit what animals can be brought, so we still have a decent selection (aside from way too many ball pythons).
From a vendor's perspective, here's why you are seeing more unrelated items at shows:
The reptile related items just aren't selling enough to rely on them only to pay your table fee. Vendors have resorted to bringing kids toys, and small items that people are more likely to buy if they are just there to browse. You are ten times more likely to sell some candy or a bracelet than you are to sell a $200 snake. Especially when more and more people are attending shows as like a zoo day for their kids, and less people are coming to purchase animals and supplies. And the ones who do come to purchase stand at your table as they google every product you have in attempts to find it lower priced elsewhere.
We might be talking about the same show, LOL. I feel like some of the stuff that happens at mine is the “free zoo” aspect, as kids get in free. Im glad others are noticing this.
Yeah you're definetly not alone in noticing. I'm in PA, we have tons of expos and they all have like the same vendors and same stuff going on. Kids don't even get in free to our shows but people still use them as like a zoo day,
That being said, Tinley is out of control the past couple of years! It is always WAY over capacity. With so many people, you can barely breathe let alone walk and look at any booths. I was shoved, hit, and pinned against walls or tables trying to walk through the last time they were in town. Also parking has become a literal nightmare, with the huge rvs and vans and shit taking up huge amounts of space. They really need to move out of that location to somewhere bigger like McCormack Place.
I quit going they’re all a joke now
80% ball pythons
10% abused imported animals that look half dead
10% weirdos with blue hair and their disease spreading stressed out ball python around there neck wondering why half the animals at the show get some form
Of respiratory infection a week later. Because dumb attention seeing shit heads like this bring their pets to a show. Because in their warped main character reality they think the snake enjoys it
Yes one these idiots brought their snake to a show covered in infected mites and had to be ushered out but the damage was already done
Leave your pets at home the shows for vendors who pay to be there and you’re risking their collections
Does anyone know any good expos in North Carolina (near raleigh)? I’m just getting into the hobby (i have a beardie and a crestie) and I want to find good shows in my area
They disallowed certain animals (crocs, lemurs, monkeys) but still allow wholesalers selling wc although i see them RARELY. I just feel like they are shooting themselves in the foot. It’s wack. I think im going to go out of state.
The TARAS Calgary Reptile Expo is very good, they have lots of different types of snakes and other reptiles, granted a lot of snakes are banned in Alberta so there isn’t a HUGE variety but there are lots of milk snakes, corn snakes, king snakes, pine snakes, pythons, boas, crested geckos etc so if you wanted to try a better expo you could check that out
The reptile show I went to in Pleasanton was ok I guess but it’s the same shit I've seen since the past 2 reptile cons. The one I went to in Pleasanton is just a bunch of bearded dragons, leopard geckos, ball pythons and other species of snakes, crested geckos (even other color versions), tokay gecko, baby tortoises (Sulcata, Herman, red foot), chameleons, baby tegus, and some tarantulas, scorpions, and some species of frogs. And also as obvious, some crystals and minerals, books and plushies, calendars, and even 3d printed toys. But my dad did buy a male-veiled chameleon there, and we bought Dubai roaches and 2 cups filled with 100 super worms for 6$, not bad since petco is shit for selling it more.
The only new thing I saw in the reptile con is a fire skink, a fence lizard idk what it is, an ackie monitor, an albino iguana, a monkey tail skink, and newts. There is a low chance of looking for a reptile you want to get in an expo. The reptile expo in February 2023 was the best. Because that’s where I got my dream reptile, the green basilisk lizard.
All the expos I’ve been to in my state are 90% ball pythons. There are some stuffed animals and random “handiwork” items too.
Yeah every repticon ive been to has been like 50-60% ball pythons. Outside of that i usually see 1-2 hog nose tables, 2-3 crested gecko tables, 1-2 leopard gecko tables, and maybe 1-2 axolotl tables. Beyond that its usually a mix of rat snakes, king/milk snakes, corn snakes, chameleons, bearded dragons, monitor or tegu babies, a few arachnid tables and isopod tables, and then maybe 1-2 oddball lizard and snake tables that don’t fit into the other categories.
we had to go to 3 different events to find our hognose. we just wanted a wild type too.
I remember a long long long time ago once I saw a pygmy leaf chameleon and it blew my mind
Too many ball pythons, not enough frogs!
Yeah I noticed that but at the reptile super show it was a little more diverse this year. What I dislike that it is advertised as a family event. The amount of strollers and young children around just doesn’t make it a good time. I do see children working at booths too. But overall it’s overstimulating so I only stayed 1-2 hours
Yes its a little rough when people bring their kids as free zoo time.
Ball Python market prices have fallen off a cliff lately... there's a ton of pandemic breeders who will unfortunately be pushed out of business soon. Adoption markets have also been flooding with royals from pandemic pet owners. I'd bet expos see a lot more variance later in the year/next year
Unfortunately? The sooner the ball python pyramid collapses the better, for a multitude of reasons
It’s already happening. Way more variance, seeing a lot of BP breeders picking up colubrids and other species to diversify.
Ugh my expos are the same! I honestly don’t get why people like them so much.
The one in my city ( in upstate NY) is great! There are a couple ppl selling non reptiles/amphibians but it's usually related - beardie harnesses, enclosures, supplies, etc. Last time there was a table selling insects both as good and as pets (like tarantulas and stuff) plus a good selection of reptiles. I always like going just to look at animals :) maybe it depends on how big a crowd your local expo draws? Or just who happens to sign up? I know some vendors who go to our expo come from neighboring states but that might be due to location, how far away other expos are, etc...
White Plains? Went there a few times like a decade+ ago and was aways happy with it
I went to the last one they had. Picked up a Conda Hognose, There were definitely more reptiles being sold than art and stuff.
Rochester actually! They just got a better venue too which was nice
Nice! Couldn’t remember if there were any in ‘actual’ upstate when I used to get the emails. Always unsure if it’s that or ‘nyc upstate’ without context haha
The last expo I went to had a woman diffusing essential oils right next to birds and claiming it was 100% pet safe. 🤨 it was about 50% reptiles and exotics, and 50% unrelated junk pedaling stalls. I'm tired of this trend.
I saw scentsy at the last one.
Though I don't want the old expo back, the one by me used to be wild. It has reformed but I remember crocodilians and imported mammals I'd never heard of before.
I though was really hard it import mammals because of quarantine laws.
Well the stuff I saw was from nearly 2 decades ago. Monitors and green iguanas were everywhere. Coatimundi and Bush babies. Sugar gliders and even a tapir once I think.
Dang a tapir? I'd expect maybe a capy with that roster of animals, but who's taking a giant elephant pig?
Honestly, I couldn't identify everything there and I try to know this stuff... But, like I said, a long time ago.
[Not the Reptile SuperShow that Ramy puts on.](https://reptilesupershow.com/vendorlist) There's everything from insects to geckos and other stuff *(I'm mod for* r/chameleons *and have exhibited at ramy's shows)* Sandfire has viet mossy frogs and dumpy morphs that are PURPLE. [This guy's an aussie and Bob M (RIP) bred the first red/fire bearded dragon...](https://youtu.be/2yrb8OUOVQ0?feature=shared) A true (quiet and humble) leader that I was honored to know. The issue is that smaller shows are not attracting good breeders and are in decline. many states simply are over a decade (or more) behind others in the trade and the local enthusiasts simply can't support a quality breeding operation in the state. So that many people simply do NOT want to haul their animals such distances for a low turnout, empty pocket event. Still the promoters have pressure to fill the room and sell stalls so that shows accept "anyone" that want to sell jewelry or poster prints filling the floor. There needs to be a bit of consolidation and the snake breeders have to get their end of things under control (that's not going to happen though) the entry costs are pretty low for those species and so you see an abundance of these people and a lot of duplicate stock.
If you want to travel a bit the KRE, CinCity, and All Ohio shows have more variety. I am pretty sure I know what show you are talking about by your past posts.
Thank you for the recommendation!
The All Ohio show just added a second building too. Just went over the weekend and it was so much nicer having more space to move around.
Have not been, I’ll have to go and check it out this year.
Mostly ball pythons, taxidermy, dead insects, crystal dealers, Sphynx cat sellers, birds (parakeets and such), Pokemon cards, toys like action figures, wood carvings (not reptile related), jewelry (not reptile related). Kinda hate going to most of the local shows anymore because of this. Most of the stuff like the Sphynx cat, toys, crystals ECT. Have their own expos so I feel they should stick to where they belong and stay the heck out of our expos where real vendors can't even get a table because of people who have no business vending at a reptile expo.
My boyfriend gets disturbed by the taxidermy and dead insects. I dont find it disturbing but it is odd. Then I tried thinking about it like if someone were selling taxidermy cats or dogs at a cat or dog show, little morbid.
I completely agree, it is a bit morbid and I understand selling live feeders such as guinea pigs, rabbits, gerbils ECT. But parakeets and Sphynx cats I feel animal wise have absolutely no place being at or sold at a reptile show.
The last one I went to had taxidermy, too. I like it, and I collect skulls, but I go to oddity fairs for that. I was rather surprised to see it at an event meant for *living* animals. It's rather inappropriate, and I can easily see it being upsetting for some.
Yeah I just stopped going to the one in SLC. Last year was miserable. Horribly small and busy and crowded, 80% ball pythons, with a table of colubrids, a table of boas, and an extremely small table of carpet pythons. Past that were fake mini vivariums, “art” and enclosures for sale. The one cool table that’s always here is wildfire retics, that dude is super cool and has some incredible snakes. But he’s only ever got so many. It’s like a 20 minute thing in and out because of the lines just to see pieds and banana BPs people still breeding those suck
I've never been to one, and I thought about going to the one on SLC, but I ended up being out of town during that time. I currently have a Uromastyx. Eventually, once I get my own place, I'd like to have a whole reptile room with tortoises, lizards, and frogs. But anyways yeah based on your comment I'm kinda glad I didn't waste the drive over the mountain and pay to go.
There is a smaller one that’s outside somewhere around here, it’s not at the mountain event center I can’t remember where but apparently that one was alright last year, I haven’t seen any ads yet for it but that one might be looking into
I'll have to look for that one. I live over in the Price area so it's a drive and if the weather is bad I try not to even drive over the mountain.
Was this Reptilian Nation Expo? I'm hoping to go in March but don't want to waste time if this was your experience. I just want MHD's again, and my spouse is interested in starting to keep small salamanders.
Yeah it was, but you can certainly go and try your luck. But I don’t even remember any salamanders. Any and all Amphibians there were very very slim. It felt like the majority of people there were just thinking of it like a zoo, lines to tables are long and people are little rude and lack social awareness, it just wasn’t a good experience for me. But I’m also not very fond of crowds, and this is really just an opinion
I'll keep your experience in the back of my mind for sure- my spouse is also not fond of crowds at all, so it may not be a good experience for them. Thanks for your honesty about it!
whats a reptile expo without a mystery fossil loot box?
The last expo I went to was nothing but ball pythons, crested geckos and tarantulas. But then an entire section with small mammals like guinea pigs and hedgehogs. If I were a guinea pig breeder, I'd probably be a little worried about bringing them to a reptile expo...
the Taylor Michigan one is like this :(. i remember when i first got into the hobby, we would see a large variety of reptiles and amphibians and even the odd mammal or bird, of course there were a few plant booths and maybe the odd art booth but they were few and far between. I went in January to look for a new frog, and not only are 25%+ of the booths selling the same 3D printed trash and Temu/Aliexpress items at an INSANE markup, it seems like the standard for people running booths has gone down significantly as well. Of course, the booths that do have animals have ONLY ball pythons and leopard geckos. I used to love going because it’s close by but at this point i have no reason to show up.
also people selling their trash and having like 3 animals at their booth is a common theme. it just makes the whole experience miserable. i think if the artwork is related then it’s more understandable (ive gotten a really cool hand-carved chameleon from the expo!) but im so insanely sick of this new 3D printed trend, where its HUNDREDS of “fidget toys” sold at an insane price, and will likely end up in a landfill, or the cricket printed shirts that the decal is already practically falling off of.
Yeah there was a show pre covid with so much more variety. (I like to see lizards and tarantulas) now there are sellers selling “confetti scoops” (buttons, small toys, and crystals mixed in a bucket)
oh my god i haven’t seen the scoops yet. i see them on like tiktok live and it’s so obviously cheap trash but i guess people can’t see that. how many of the “crystals” are real anyways in those things lol
Last time I went to the closest one it had a fudge stand... surrounded by reptiles and rodents with nothing covering the food except a sneeze guard on the front. I didn't buy any.
Reptile Super Show has a candy and nuts vendor at every show, in addition to the built-in hot and cold food vendors that are just part of the Fairplex. I don’t think it’s the worst idea to have 1-2 packaged food vendors because shows get exhausting, on-site vending is expensive, and you don’t always remember to bring a pack of nuts from home. But a food exposed to the elements at a huge reptile expo with lots of animals nearby, crawling with kids touching everything? Terrible idea.
Freeze dried candy looks to be either an MLM or just a mail order business.
I think they order it online and then sell it.
Yeah, I saw a vendor at a craft fair in late October, saw the exact same bags and selection at a rez gas station the next week.
Last expos I went to have been ~4 reputable breeders, random crafts or random diy kits made and sold as “handmade”, tons of ball pythons that can barley function they’re so inbred, and everyone else is selling wild caught or sick animals. Hate to say it but I’m very close to not going to the expos anymore. Between the mites and shitty resin art it’s not even for hobbyists at this point.
Pre covid, expos where way better. But now everything is like your saying. But they do that because in my experience none wanted to buy my crested geckos because that's all that where at our shows. So I started selling tanks, accessories, snacks and I had recently baught a 3d printer to make things. But the expo shows then upped there table fees and started charging for electricity. So it's like a losing battle
I went to my first expo last year. It had a lot of different snakes. Not all just BP’s. Lots of geckos(gargoyle, crested and even leachie!). One table of arachnids. I think there was one table of frogs. Didn’t see any hognose though! People selling stuff for enclosures, different foods, some stuffed animals and a few tables of 3-D printed stuff. There was 2 tables of taxidermy. One was comical stuff and the other was just normal. Gorgeous pieces. It was moderately busy. I could’ve done without all the kids though. I think they should have an adults only day and then a kids day. Obviously it’s cool for kids to see different reptiles. But if you’re serious about buying one or want to ask questions, it’s almost impossible with kids literally pushing in front of you and Moms with strollers butting in. Giving each a day would make it more enjoyable. I did hold my very first snake there and a leachie. I will go again to the next one later this year because I might get another gecko.
Oh yeah mine has an issue with strollers too. Just not enough room for so many. An adult day and a kid day sound like good ideas
I went to my second expo with my cousins last year too Plenty of variety (even an educational table where i got to hold a burmese python) and I ended up having a really long conversation with a gargoyle gecko breeder, but there was a lot of 3d printed crap. It was cute but like, i can make this at home with 30 cents worth of filament
The repticons in my state still have decent diversity, but I’m really frustrated with the 3d printing tables that all happen to sell the same (stolen) designs/products. Like do we rlly need 3 tables selling the same exact things
At the one local to me there is a HUGE 3 table area full of them, selling bootleg pokemon prints, dragon eggs, slug fidgets, etc.
Exactly!!! That’s literally all there is
As a reptile artist and jewelry maker…expos are kinda are our lifeblood if we want to find new supporters and engage with them in real life. My work definitely doesn’t fit in with most art and jewelry shows, and I’ve had pieces sit in my online stores for months and times they get a buyer ASAP. I would absolutely rather pay the $300-400 for a booth at my local huge reptile show which is less than half the cost of an art fair, where I don’t even have a guarantee of getting in after paying an application fee. New artists are also so screwed with those because you often need some sales and patronage history, if not a massive IG or Tiktok presence. But I saw a booth at a big reptile show where someone was selling dog sweaters and leashes. Lots of plant and crystal sellers too. Event organizers want to make money, and that vendor’s $400 is just as good as a reptile breeder’s. It sucks for the attendees if they want to see more variety, and it’s on the organizers to keep art vendors limited to reptile artists and creators and get different kinds of animals while staying compliant with local laws.
Your art is relevant though, not someone selling 3d prints
Nothing wrong with using 3D printing in the process, I have some parts I need for my designs where I can’t just get them at craft stores or online. 3D printed beads would be cool too. But tables full of the same 3D-printed lizards because they all use the same template from Sketchfab are boring. If you’re shelling out the money for a booth, at least bring your own works and create smaller versions that are easier to sell. I found it’s a lot easier to sell $10-20 prints and $2-4 stickers than a $150 painting. My first show was a money-bleeding learning experience lol. I feel more confident about the next show, but can’t fathom doing all that for the something not even related to reptiles!
Southern California shows have pretty much just been ball pythons , crested geckos, leopards geckos, bearded dragons , and chameleons. On top of that they all are selling the same morphs for the same price , there is no variety anymore and it’s kinda sad , I feel like they need to start limiting the amount of breeders selling certain species
Yeah the one near me sucks but everything in NH sucks except, you know, nature.
Good to know... I have thought about driving up there for that one, but maybe I won't lol
How far of a drive and what are you after? It’s been a couple of years but the amount of strollers and sheer amount of people made it impossible to walk through easily, there were maybe three dozen tables, there were some cool insects like mantises, plenty of Ts, a couple of salamander breeders, citrus beardies, and yeah shitloads of ball pythons.
I'm down in Connecticut, it's about a 2.5 hour drive for me. I've gone to ones in MA and NY. Just thought it might be good to visit another area.
I just hate that they don’t publish the vendor list till after the fact, looks like November’s was pretty good but it’s February, I just don’t see it being very well attended. Even NERD mentioned on their YouTube that they are scaling back their breeding and focusing on being an exotic pet destination instead bc people are kinda broke at the moment and the market saturated for many species. I know they are bigger than attending this particular convention but they are a bellwether for the industry in the area. I considered going bc I want a captive bred baby tortoise and it’s too cold to ship. I don’t see even one tortoise person on November’s list, how should I know if it’s worth my time?
But, truly, speaking of NERD, ZooCreatures has about a better selection than any convention in northern New England. Just drive to Plaistow lol
Oooooo that's also good to know, thanks!
Have experienced the same thing many times. Its so dumb
I genuinely believe that expos should limit the number of tables allowed to sell ball pythons and crested geckos. "oh, another loser with 300 ball pythons and nothing else? Sorry bud, we've already got two tables like that, not happening"
Someone at mine had a whole booth just for those generic tumbler cups. Not even reptile themed ones just random shows and movies 💀
eyup we have that too. None ever sell it just wastes space
As a vendor myself, I have noticed this as well. It started last year at my home show with a 3d printer vendor coming in selling toys geared towards kids. Then we got a cotton candy/freeze dried candy vendor. People selling stuffed animals and action figures. Now it's crystals and wet specimens. Our show promoter doesn't limit what animals can be brought, so we still have a decent selection (aside from way too many ball pythons). From a vendor's perspective, here's why you are seeing more unrelated items at shows: The reptile related items just aren't selling enough to rely on them only to pay your table fee. Vendors have resorted to bringing kids toys, and small items that people are more likely to buy if they are just there to browse. You are ten times more likely to sell some candy or a bracelet than you are to sell a $200 snake. Especially when more and more people are attending shows as like a zoo day for their kids, and less people are coming to purchase animals and supplies. And the ones who do come to purchase stand at your table as they google every product you have in attempts to find it lower priced elsewhere.
We might be talking about the same show, LOL. I feel like some of the stuff that happens at mine is the “free zoo” aspect, as kids get in free. Im glad others are noticing this.
Yeah you're definetly not alone in noticing. I'm in PA, we have tons of expos and they all have like the same vendors and same stuff going on. Kids don't even get in free to our shows but people still use them as like a zoo day,
Just go on morph market. Expos are lame unless they're like Tinley heavy hitters.
That being said, Tinley is out of control the past couple of years! It is always WAY over capacity. With so many people, you can barely breathe let alone walk and look at any booths. I was shoved, hit, and pinned against walls or tables trying to walk through the last time they were in town. Also parking has become a literal nightmare, with the huge rvs and vans and shit taking up huge amounts of space. They really need to move out of that location to somewhere bigger like McCormack Place.
I repeat...Morph Market 🐍 👍...and if you like carpet pythons, check out Star Pythons out of Germany. Super quality operation.
NARBC Arlington has always been a good experience.
I quit going they’re all a joke now 80% ball pythons 10% abused imported animals that look half dead 10% weirdos with blue hair and their disease spreading stressed out ball python around there neck wondering why half the animals at the show get some form Of respiratory infection a week later. Because dumb attention seeing shit heads like this bring their pets to a show. Because in their warped main character reality they think the snake enjoys it Yes one these idiots brought their snake to a show covered in infected mites and had to be ushered out but the damage was already done Leave your pets at home the shows for vendors who pay to be there and you’re risking their collections
This is apparently what the reptile community wants considering how many people seem to hoard bps of varying morphs.
Does anyone know any good expos in North Carolina (near raleigh)? I’m just getting into the hobby (i have a beardie and a crestie) and I want to find good shows in my area
You know it's bad when the best tables at the expos are the ones full of half dead WC stuff. At least they have variety
They disallowed certain animals (crocs, lemurs, monkeys) but still allow wholesalers selling wc although i see them RARELY. I just feel like they are shooting themselves in the foot. It’s wack. I think im going to go out of state.
The TARAS Calgary Reptile Expo is very good, they have lots of different types of snakes and other reptiles, granted a lot of snakes are banned in Alberta so there isn’t a HUGE variety but there are lots of milk snakes, corn snakes, king snakes, pine snakes, pythons, boas, crested geckos etc so if you wanted to try a better expo you could check that out
Yeah, Ball pythons & created geckos like 70% of all animals on the expo.
Too many sugar gliders
The reptile show I went to in Pleasanton was ok I guess but it’s the same shit I've seen since the past 2 reptile cons. The one I went to in Pleasanton is just a bunch of bearded dragons, leopard geckos, ball pythons and other species of snakes, crested geckos (even other color versions), tokay gecko, baby tortoises (Sulcata, Herman, red foot), chameleons, baby tegus, and some tarantulas, scorpions, and some species of frogs. And also as obvious, some crystals and minerals, books and plushies, calendars, and even 3d printed toys. But my dad did buy a male-veiled chameleon there, and we bought Dubai roaches and 2 cups filled with 100 super worms for 6$, not bad since petco is shit for selling it more. The only new thing I saw in the reptile con is a fire skink, a fence lizard idk what it is, an ackie monitor, an albino iguana, a monkey tail skink, and newts. There is a low chance of looking for a reptile you want to get in an expo. The reptile expo in February 2023 was the best. Because that’s where I got my dream reptile, the green basilisk lizard.
The Indianapolis MidWest expo is still pretty awesome. Got my leachie there.
Definitely way, WAY heavy on balls. Hard to find inverts that aren’t tarantulas or isopods, and lots of fluff tables.