so we went a little nuts at the herp show

Smulkin, our three boys, and I went to the Pittsburgh reptile show today. While it's not a huge expo by any means, I was pleasantly surprised by the numbers and varieties of herps available. We went there planning to purchase something. We even bought an extra housing setup "just in case." But we ended up coming home with four, yes 4, new snakes - a brown water python, a pueblan milksnake, a durango mountain kingsnake, and a striped California kingsnake - all beautiful captive bred specimens sold to us by friendly and knowledgeable breeders. If any of you have not made it to a herp show, I highly recommend it - but be prepared to spend more money than you had planned. Needless to say, we had to make a stop on the way home for extra housing and supplies. We'll post some pics as soon as we recover. Whew!

Wow, Smynx. When you go shopping, you don't fool around! Looking forward to your pics. Are you already familiar with husbandry for all of these?

PS -- I took my 13 year old today to the reptile shop of the biggest hots keeper in the state and we saw an Afrock. He was just a little guy, 3' or so, and Adrian was quite impressed when I told her he'd get big enough to eat antelope.

lol, you just decided to buy 4 new snakes. at the drop of a hat, just like that??? crazy!! cool, but crazy!

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Originally Posted by Marla

Wow, Smynx. When you go shopping, you don't fool around!

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Marla - You should see me at a COACH outlet!

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Originally Posted by Marla

Are you already familiar with husbandry for all of these?

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Smulkin had a kingsnake and rat snakes when he was younger, so he's more familiar than I am. But we asked a lot of questions which the breeders were more than happy to answer. The breeders gave us their business cards and told us to call with any questions. We bought care books, and we have the internet and all of you as resources. So I think we'll be okay.

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Originally Posted by Wizill

you just decided to buy 4 new snakes. at the drop of a hat, just like that??? crazy!! cool, but crazy!

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Very crazy indeed. We really need to stop at some point, but I just couldn't say no to my kids (or my husband) :wink: and the water python was just so beautiful in all his irridescence, I couldn't resist.

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Originally Posted by Smynx

Marla - You should see me at a COACH outlet!

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Ha! I'll bet! If you can shop like that for herps, there's no telling what you'll do if you've a mind to. ;)

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Originally Posted by Smynx

Smulkin had a kingsnake and rat snakes when he was younger, so he's more familiar than I am. But we asked a lot of questions which the breeders were more than happy to answer. The breeders gave us their business cards and told us to call with any questions. We bought care books, and we have the internet and all of you as resources. So I think we'll be okay.

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I wasn't really questioning whether you would be able to provide proper husbandry for them -- I fully expect that you will. It was more a question of knowing exactly what supplies to stop and get on the way home, what temps to aim for when setting up enclosures, how many herp caresheets you carry in your head at one time, that sort of thing. :) But I guess between Smulkin and the breeders you probably already had that covered, and can refer to your other resources as needed.

I'd loooove to see pics of the Water Python. Liasis fuscus are awesome snakes!

Wwoooowwww.... Can I go shopping with you next time??? Oh wait....I WILL go shopping with you next time! (Can't wait 'til the May show!!!) Can't wait to see the pictures! I'm gonna have to go look up "Brown Water Python" in the meantime...never heard of one of those. :)

You guys rock!

I with David, get water python pics! Liasis are my favs, lol.

Oh yeah I lovbe the BWP's head and smile - awesome looking little snake.

The kings etc will be great first husbandry pets for the boys - there's no question that kind of responsibility can only be good for them. If I'd had the money I would have come walking out with a Black Blood and a Coastal Carpet as well. I didn't expect the exhibitors to have had so much stock - or such a wide variety of it. Lot of wild caught balls cramped in a 10 gal for $18 each and supplies priiced higher than expensive pet shops were the only down side.

No one gets out of one of those empty handed, hehe. I'm actually surprised we didn't come out with a snake in each person's hand for a total of 5.

Speaking of the wc balls cramped in a tank, I think that if we get that other section set up in the Business area of the forum for vendor/breeder references, that it would be nice if people would also post information about vendors they saw/met at shows who stood out for being good or bad and why. I know if one of you were at a show and talked with Jimmy Bob of Jimmy Bob Herps and saw that his animals looked good and clean and not cramped and he spoke knowledgeably with you about them, that I'd feel better about buying from him.

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Originally Posted by JLC

Wwoooowwww.... Can I go shopping with you next time??? Oh wait....I WILL go shopping with you next time! (Can't wait 'til the May show!!!)

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Judy, the May show scares me. If we did that at a small show, I can only imagine what will happen at a larger one. I'll have to practice self-control between now and then.

The new python is gorgeous and very active. I'll try to get some good photos tonight to post for you all.

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Originally Posted by Marla

it would be nice if people would also post information about vendors they saw/met at shows who stood out for being good or bad and why.

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I think that's a great idea, Marla. There were definite differences between the vendors. The one that we bought 2 of the 4 new ones from had an awesome setup, very clean, very organized, beautiful snakes, and he talked a good deal about their temperaments, how to handle them, how to keep them, etc. The other two we purchased from were good in those respects as well, but there were a few others there that I would not have purchased anything from for various reasons. Most of the vendors have websites, so Smulkin and I would be happy to put some information together for the business section.

That would be great. Judy's asked John whether he wants to set up a section for that, so if he does, please do report there on those that you remember names or have contact info for.