The Beginning of Reptile Expos

The revitalization of paleontology of the 1970’s drove thousands to the study of dinosaurs. Could this be the key to the increase of interests by the general public in reptiles and amphibians? No matter what the initial event was, reptile keeping, or better known as herpetoculture saw a huge increase during the 1970s and decades that followed. The early reptile expos were nothing more than early herpetologists, zoologists and “weird” people exchanging information and animals they caught or bred. Sometimes this was done at a friend’s house or at herpetological society meetings. Reptile expos as we know it today are nothing like the early days. The commercialization of keeping reptiles and amphibians saw its highest growth in the 80s and 90s. Many keepers, breeders and zoo helpers were publishing books and magazines, and inventing new products. Some of those items were home-made rack systems, thermostats, lighting, and various other inventions to help enrich the lives of these cold-blooded creatures. The problem was there was no internet or meeting place other than pet shops or local herpetological society meetings to exchange ideas or sell products. The invention of a reptile expo was born.

One of the earliest reptile shows that would draw huge crowds from not only the United States but from around the world was “National Reptile Breeders Expo” (NRBE). The first NRBE took place in central Florida in 1989. Since this time reptile expos have seen a dramatic change not only in the quality of the animals but also in the products.

What to expect at Reptile Expos

In the 21st century we come to expect many things at premiere reptile expos. You can find pretty much everything associated with reptiles, amphibians and other exotic pets at today’s reptile expos.

Publications – Books and Magazines

Artwork – Paintings, framed pictures, stickers

Enclosures – Cages (wood, plastic and glass), Rack systems, terrariums

Supplies – Thermostats, heating elements, lighting, substrate, etc…

Prey Items – Frozen Mice, worms, roaches, crickets

Animals – Reptiles, Amphibians, Invertebrates, and possibly small animals and birds

Reptile expos come in many different sizes and in many different cities throughout the world. There are local one or two-day expos like Dixie Reptile Expo in Alabama. Or larger shows that are almost 4 day shows like North American Reptile Breeders Conference (NARBC) in Tinley Park, Illinois.

No matter the size, there are some similarities between the shows besides the people vending and selling products or services. Most shows have a speaker or presenter during the show. This gives you the ability to step away from the onslaught of eye candy and sit down and enjoy the knowledge of others. Daniel Parker of Sunshine Serpents does a great presentation at Central Florida reptile expos on local Florida fauna. The NARBC Tinley Park reptile expo has a guest speaker from Henry Doorly Zoo presenting a talk about komodo dragons on October 12, 2014.

Reptile Show Ethics

With reptiles making daily appearances on the 6 o’clock news in a negative light it is the responsibility of herpetoculturists, hobbyists and reptile expo promoters and visitors to handle themselves in a responsible manner. Most reptile expos are captive bred expos only. This means that any live animals being offered for sale must be produced in captivity and not taken from the wild. This surely is a great way to show the general public that reptile enthusiasts are concerned about wild populations and conservation.

In the early days of reptile expos hobbyists were categorized as tattooed crazy individuals. In the most recent years we have seen people such as doctors, lawyers, football player Josh Freeman and actor Leonardo DiCaprio at reptile expos nationwide. This change is because show promoters hold not only their vendors but their visitors to high standards that benefit the overall health of the hobby.

Your First Visit

Your first visit will be memorable one. I still remember the shock an awe of my very first reptile expo. It was the White Plains show in the mid 90’s. I have never seen that many reptile interested people in one place, not to mention the onslaught of animals I had only seen in magazines and encyclopedias. If you are one of the few hobbyists that haven’t had the pleasure of visiting a reptile expo I suggest you do. You will be amazed not only at how friendly the people are but the vast knowledge all in one place.