South Dakota, Why no reptile events...ever

Stuck living in SD and have been trying to find local resources for reptiles. I wish there was a show I could go to and see all the great stuff breeders’ offer. The only thing even remotely interesting around here is Reptile Gardens...it’s like a zoo. But they don't breed, or sell, they just try and educate. But one of the handlers last time I saw them at a kids fair did not know what size prey item the 6fh albino Burmese python ate, or how often. They also have some facts on the web site mixed up. (They say a bull snake can only get to be 3-4ft long, but I saw one once that had to be over 6ft)
Any way everyone from SD unite and get a show west river!

Jamie,
I have hosted a number of Reptile Events here in the last several years. True most are educational or scientific in nature but they are a great way to network. I am easily accessible by email via our website if you are ever in the area.

Reptile swaps and meets are hard to do here since we have such a low population. But our collection brings in the top scientists from around the world...what more could someone ask for.

Unfortunately, I don't always have full control over who attends some of the kids fairs and local shows we do. Sometimes its our horticulture department showing the snakes. They don't often keep the facts I give them straight. Sorry about that, I wish I had more control over that...

The largest Bullsnake on record to my knowledge is 101 inches but that was not found in South Dakota.

Cheers!
Terry Phillip
Curator of Reptiles
Black Hills Reptile Gardens

rent a building for a weekend, invite some breeders and vendors, put up some flyers....

Hi Terry. Congrats on the Reptiles Who's who!

I was wondering this same thing, Jaime, as my job will not permit me to go all the way to another state for a convention. I do like to go to Reptile Gardens every once in a while to see if they have anything new and exciting.:D I still wish they would let me adopt a burm though. I think in a couple of years I will beg again.:rolleye2:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by taphillip

Jamie,
I have hosted a number of Reptile Events here in the last several years. True most are educational or scientific in nature but they are a great way to network. I am easily accessible by email via our website if you are ever in the area.

Reptile swaps and meets are hard to do here since we have such a low population. But our collection brings in the top scientists from around the world...what more could someone ask for.

Unfortunately, I don't always have full control over who attends some of the kids fairs and local shows we do. Sometimes its our horticulture department showing the snakes. They don't often keep the facts I give them straight. Sorry about that, I wish I had more control over that...

The largest Bullsnake on record to my knowledge is 101 inches but that was not found in South Dakota.

Cheers!
Terry Phillip
Curator of Reptiles
Black Hills Reptile Gardens

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What about the possibilty of organizing several events together. Here in North Carolina, they have the exotic animal expo, gun and knife show, power tool expo, and flea market all at the same time, in different buildings on the fairground, so you get a large number of people coming for different things, but looking at everything... I was going to suggest maybe having it around the same time as Sturgis, but then I figured 100,000 drunk bikers and reptiles might not mix too well... :O


Rob

Hey! I resemble that remark....:rolleye2:

I will be too busy at the rally to have a herp convention.:cool: