Northern Virginia Reptile Expo

Anyone going to the Northern Virginia Reptile Expo on 26 July? Any breeders gonna' be there? I've gone to a couple local shows (In Northern Virginia) and they are a little lacking...surprising considering how large the reptile, and especially ball python, community is around here. I've seen lot's of breeders with NoVa addresses, but not many show up to shows.

I've got money burning a hole in my pocket and would love to see a decent selection of balls to pick from! :banana:

I plan on going to that show, but I'm not a breeder.

I've heard that the shows tends to get a little busier with more selection during hatching season, so I'm hoping to see lots of interesting stuff.

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Originally Posted by kc261

I've heard that the shows tends to get a little busier with more selection during hatching season, so I'm hoping to see lots of interesting stuff.

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Hope you're right...I'd love to see some good stuff too...

If that's the Manassas show, I'd probably save your gas money. I've been to it a couple of times and never seen a decent selection of anything, much less a decent selection of ball pythons. I'm sure that Outback Retiles will be there, but they don't seem to bring a lot of the nicer stock to shows anymore.

Lots of imported stuff and inverts at the Manassas show too....

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Originally Posted by elevatethis

If that's the Manassas show, I'd probably save your gas money. I've been to it a couple of times and never seen a decent selection of anything, much less a decent selection of ball pythons. I'm sure that Outback Retiles will be there, but they don't seem to bring a lot of the nicer stock to shows anymore.

Lots of imported stuff and inverts at the Manassas show too....

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I've been a couple times and that seems to be the norm. I guess I just don't understand why it doesn't have a better turnout from breeders. Seems to be a pretty good population of BP folks around here and several big breeders in the area as well....:confused:

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Originally Posted by sho220

I've been a couple times and that seems to be the norm. I guess I just don't understand why it doesn't have a better turnout from breeders. Seems to be a pretty good population of BP folks around here and several big breeders in the area as well....:confused:

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Its probably because people wanting high-end BPs don't always go to shows to look for them - usually people know what they want and who they can get it from - so breeders don't have to go to the shows to sell snakes. Web sites, classifieds, etc are usually better avenues for selling nicer stuff.

A lot of breeders don't like bringing their nicer stock to shows...too risky and stressful on the animals.

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Originally Posted by elevatethis

Its probably because people wanting high-end BPs don't always go to shows to look for them - usually people know what they want and who they can get it from - so breeders don't have to go to the shows to sell snakes. Web sites, classifieds, etc are usually better avenues for selling nicer stuff.

A lot of breeders don't like bringing their nicer stock to shows...too risky and stressful on the animals.

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Classifieds, i.e. KS and Fauna are pretty good, but not many breeders maintain a current website. I can't blame them though as 6 adults and 1 (only one!) clutch this season has kept me busy enough along with work, kids, chores, etc. Website's are probably pretty low on the list of priorities for most breeders.

I wonder if breeders would be open to visits for people looking for new additions. There are several local ones I wouldn't mind checking out. I may have to make some phone calls. :)

I was hoping to go. Its not a very big show, but hey, its the only reptile show I can go to around here. I haven't been to a reptile show since March, so it would be nice to go to one, if only to look. I have some money burning a hole in my pocket for a new snake, but I'm not sure what I want just yet.

I was gonna go but I dont think I am going to make it. Got my eye on a hypo tho. LOL

We will be there, Brian Sharp and Ian G. are usually there too.

Thanks,

Rich