New York Metro Reptile Expo

This is where I'll be Sunday (https://reptileexpo.com/all-shows/white-plains-expo/). Can't wait.

The Vendor List:
631 Boas & Balls*
A&R Geckos
A Shedding Chance*
A+ Serpents
Absolutely Reptacular
Adirondack Exotics
American Invertebrates
American Reptiles
Amped-Up Reptiles
Animabilia
Angels R Us
Apollo's Reptiles*
AquaTerra Exotic Pets
Athena's Designs*
AZO Reptiles
BBs Crested Geckos**
Birch Lizards Rescue + Breeding*
Black Jungle
Blackheart Reptiles
Blacksmith Reptiles
Blazing Reptiles
Britt's Beauties
Bronx Exotic Arts*
Busy B's Exotics
Captive Bred Studios
Center for Avian and Exotic Medicine*
CJT
Crandall Reptiles
CV Exotics
Dachiu Dragons**
Daggi's Reptiles
Diverse Herps
Dragontown
Dreams in Fox
DVM Geckos
East Coast Cresties
East Coast Exotics
Ectothermic Endeavors
Eight Legs Plus (formerly Tommy Agosta)
Eli's Boas
Epik Reptiles*
Exotics Emporium LLC*
Extreme Jungle*
Fern's Frogs
Finn's Exotics
Garden State Frogs
Gecko Harmony
Gecko Oasis
Gekko and Gecko
Gillywater Aquatics
Greylock Dart Frogs**
Hardcore Arachnids*
Harris in Wonderland
Harvest Moon Geckos
Hatched
Hog Alchemy
House of Pancakes Reptile Rescue Inc*
HS Crested Geckos*
Hurricane Herps
HyperReptilia
IB Exotics
Infamous Exotics*
Isoflora**
Junglejamzpod
Jersey Ballz*
JPC Boas
Judson Exotics
Juggernaut
KBK Reptiles
Kennedy Reptiles**
Kick Balls
KoKo Plants
Komodo
Leapin' Leachies
Legacy Herps
Long Island Gecko Guy
Major League Exotics
MH Ball Pythons
Mike Russo
Mike Seifert Geckos
MIRZOO**
ML Exotics
Modhammocks
Net Bug
New England Exotics
New York Insect Zoo
Nice Balz
Noah's Boas
NY Animal Rescue/Sean Casey
NY Powerballs*
Oradell Animal Hospital
Overboard Aquatics
Quirky Snakes*
Ralphie's Cork Bark
Rawson Reptiles*
Red River Exotics*
Reptile Basics
Reptile Deli
Reptile Masters
Reptileant
Rhegal Dragons
Romano Reptiles
Rose Family Reptiles*
Roughnecks
Russo Family Serpents**
Sabrina's Reptile Kingdom
Salticid Sanctuaries*
Scattershot
Self Trusted Reptiles
Slither and Swim
Snakeman's Exotics
Squeals on Wheels
SRY
Taylor Exotics
The Gecko King
The Molting Pot
Tincman Herps
Tom Delfico Taxidermy
Trinity Pets
Triple 2 Reptiles
Troy's Geckos
Turtle2Turtle*
Uncle Tony's Reptile Shack
Unz-arium*
Upscale*
Veterinary Center for Birds and Exotics ( Dr. Laurie Hess)
Wonderland Exotics*
Whoos Geckos
Zion Betta World

*Vendors are located in the Annex
**Vendors are located on the stage

"Squeals on Wheels"? :rofl:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bogertophis

"Squeals on Wheels"? :rofl:

---

No doubt a 501c charitable organization delivering nutritious rodents to needy reptile keepers.:P

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Homebody

No doubt a 501c charitable organization delivering nutritious rodents to needy reptile keepers.:P

---

:rofl: I looked them up & there's more than one- in N.Y. they're a frozen feeder business, but in nearby DC, MD & VA, they're a traveling petting zoo. Catchy name either way.

So??? How was it? And did anything "follow you home"? :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bogertophis

So??? How was it? And did anything "follow you home"? :D

---

No. The only thing that came close was some cage lighting. I decided against it because I don't feel like wiring in another gadget I don't really need.

I did have fun. Talked to some cool vendors. Learned some things. Pics to follow.

This is the main room. There isn't a crowd because I got there right when it opened. Some of the vendors were still setting up.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...m/YngZYzd.jpeg

I posted this before, but it's so darn cute I'm posting it again.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...m/xvm0vy2.jpeg

Pretty (and expensive) blood:

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...m/BQmhL05.jpeg

Wicked (and expensive) black tree monitor:

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...m/pWqFAkA.jpeg

Mandarin rat snake:

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...m/LbvY8Q4.jpeg

Rhino iguanas because who doesn't love rhino iguanas:

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...m/UVHfVRN.jpeg

Snake-necked turtle because you don't see these everyday:

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...m/R078SqQ.jpeg

I'm generally not partial to all white herps but, on these beardies, it works.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...m/Z2e7Fvu.jpeg

My camera doesn't do it justice. Not my fault. No camera could. This one might be my best in show. It's only rival was a boa further down.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...m/dVy3lOW.jpeg

This vendor had a couple day geckos that he just let run free:

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...m/PUMDiOA.jpeg

Similarly, this vendor let his rhino rat run free. It's a great way to show them off if you can get away with it.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...m/mEv9lnu.jpeg

Axolotl. I didn't know they came in rainbow. I told the vendor my home's too warm for axolotls. He said to just throw some frozen water bottles in the tank.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...m/OxrhWC0.jpeg

Calibar python. I don't know what a calibar python is so I took a pic so I could look it up later.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...m/YAdHmUu.jpeg

A clown splotched nelson's milk snake. I hadn't see a milk snake like this before. It has bands and stripes.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...m/7gMhbWN.jpeg

Here's the boa I mentioned earlier. The blue light spoiled the shot though.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...m/l9Fj11Y.jpeg

A Striped Kukri. The vendor told me they eviscerate their pray with their kukri shaped teeth.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...m/q8O2Bsr.jpeg

Finally, just a plain old Amazon Tree Boa. They're, currently, at the top of my wish list. I was looking for a vendor that sold them. There were only two. The first vendor I found was selling wild caught snakes. This is the only captive born and bred I found.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...m/c3MTaAS.jpeg

Wow, lots of great stuff there. You for sure don't want a w/c Amazon tree boa- hold out for c/b when you're ready for one. I wonder what kind of masochist would buy a kukri? & for the bargain price of $500? :rofl: Hope they have good medical insurance. I wouldn't mind having that calico Chinese Beauty snake though. That's a wild looking blood python- I've never seen one like that. I wonder if that vender still had his "free-roaming" day geckos at the end of the day? Personally I'd worry about their safety...:confusd: or someone stealing them? You sure don't see many Calibar burrowing pythons around- I'm not sure how good of a pet they'd make, but the small size is nice. I just hope it was c/b & not a w/c import. Blue light or not, I can tell that's a gorgeous boa-:gj:

I really like that big green rhino rat snake- obviously a friendly soul. Hey, thanks for sharing pics!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Wow, lots of great stuff there. You for sure don't want a w/c Amazon tree boa- hold out for c/b when you're ready for one. I wonder what kind of masochist would buy a kukri? & for the bargain price of $500? :rofl: Hope they have good medical insurance. I wouldn't mind having that calico Chinese Beauty snake though. That's a wild looking blood python- I've never seen one like that. I wonder if that vender still had his "free-roaming" day geckos at the end of the day? Personally I'd worry about their safety...:confusd: or someone stealing them? You sure don't see many Calibar burrowing pythons around- I'm not sure how good of a pet they'd make, but the small size is nice. I just hope it was c/b & not a w/c import. Blue light or not, I can tell that's a gorgeous boa-:gj:

I really like that big green rhino rat snake- obviously a friendly soul. Hey, thanks for sharing pics!

---

The $500 dollars was for a breeding pair of Kukris, and the Calibar python was probably w/c. Another vendor described the Calibar python vendor as a "flipper" that sold w/c animals. When I asked the vendor basic questions about the Calibar, she had to google it. I decided not to ask her about her Amazon Tree Boas. I can ask google myself.

Great photos, that was a lot of tricky lighting there! :)

I was thinking about getting Rhino Rat Snakes back in the day, but a zookeeper at the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston told me that they had a lot of health issues with theirs...so I passed and went with Black Milk Snakes (legit).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Homebody

The $500 dollars was for a breeding pair of Kukris, and the Calibar python was probably w/c. Another vendor described the Calibar python vendor as a "flipper" that sold w/c animals. When I asked the vendor basic questions about the Calibar, she had to google it. I decided not to ask her about her Amazon Tree Boas. I can ask google myself.

---

I still wouldn't want even a pair of Kukris for that or any price. I'm sure someone will though. :rolleye2: Too bad about the Calibar being w/c...for every w/c imported snake you see for sale, many more have died from the "process", & many of those that survive to be sold won't make it anyway, due to stress-parasites-& disease exposure, so in good conscience I'd never buy that one either (but supposedly they have a very mellow temperament, at least). Burrowing snakes don't tend to make outgoing pets, & I much prefer snakes that interact & show themselves.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

Great photos, that was a lot of tricky lighting there! :)

I was thinking about getting Rhino Rat Snakes back in the day, but a zookeeper at the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston told me that they had a lot of health issues with theirs...so I passed and went with Black Milk Snakes (legit).

---

I would imagine that their Rhino rat snakes were w/c imported "back in the day"- that would make health issues likely & a real challenge. Surely someone is captive-breeding them now, & much more is known about their needs. (not that I'm looking for more snakes)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I still wouldn't want even a pair of Kukris for that or any price. I'm sure someone will though. :rolleye2:

---

Yeah, I'll take a pass on the slashing bites that require stitches to close. I'll stick with my pin pricks.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Too bad about the Calibar being w/c...for every w/c imported snake you see for sale, many more have died from the "process", & many of those that survive to be sold won't make it anyway, due to stress-parasites-& disease exposure, so in good conscience I'd never buy that one either (but supposedly they have a very mellow temperament, at least). Burrowing snakes don't tend to make outgoing pets, & I much prefer snakes that interact & show themselves.

---

I'll pass on the w/c burrowing python as well. The cbb too for that matter. I want to be able to see my snake.

A couple more fun notes from the expo:

• I got to handle an Angolan python. Their scales weren't as strongly keeled as I had expected. He had a nice disposition though. Vendor told me that he has a fatty deposit in his neck. I didn't notice it. I wasn't considering buying it, but I appreciate the forthright disclosure. It's the kind of thing that makes me trust a vendor.
• I asked a vendor to tell me about his Chinese King Snake. He responded like he had been waiting his whole life for someone to ask him that question. It wasn't salesmanship. It was pure passion. And it was infectious. I'm still not considering getting one, but, now, I feel like I'm missing out.
• I caught the tail-end of a negotiation for an adult black-headed python. Beautiful animal. The price was $3500. She said she really ought to talk to her spouse first. The salesman responded, "It's better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission." She started to walk away. The price dropped to $3000. Though it clearly pained her, she kept going.

Re Chinese king snake (Elaphe Carinata)- you really want a snake that can reach 8' long & is unaffectionately known as a "Stinking Goddess"? :rofl: Was he selling them, I assume?

It is interesting to overhear the various negotiations. I agree with you about the seller with the Angolan python, though I suppose it could still be a way of covering up something worse, knowing you'd be more apt to trust after one disclosure.

Wise woman to discuss (or at least give more thought) before spending $3000. I don't doubt the temptation though. :cool: Reptile Expos are known for killer temptation.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Re Chinese king snake (Elaphe Carinata)- you really want a snake that can reach 8' long & is unaffectionately known as a "Stinking Goddess"? :rofl: Was he selling them, I assume?

---

Yes, he was selling them. So, Ok, maybe there was some salesmanship there. I don't recall him, at any point, using the adjective "stinking" to describe the snake.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Homebody

Yes, he was selling them. So, Ok, maybe there was some salesmanship there. I don't recall him, at any point, using the adjective "stinking" to describe the snake.

---

A late friend of mine had one (years ago)- he liked the oddball & difficult snakes (but he stopped at rattlebrats, he left those to me). If I was selling some snakes, I'd not say "stinking" either! :rofl:

But their musk is (ahem) noteworthy. Now maybe with c/b & gentle handling from the time they're hatched, maybe they rarely or never musk? Must be fun to sex the offspring though? Hey, I never thought rosy boas would ever musk, but one did when I was sexing them, & OMG, it nearly gagged me. So there's that...most snakes can surprise us anyway.

If you get one, we'd love to read your experience with it. Besides the appearance, what did he say that attracted you to this species? When it comes to snakes, I'm all for keeping an open mind...ha, that's what got me keeping rattlebrats for 20 years. They didn't live up to their bad press either.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Besides the appearance, what did he say that attracted you to this species?

---

Nothing, but appearance was enough.

https://i.imgur.com/ogtetAK.jpeg

Particularly, when they start off looking like this:

https://i.imgur.com/dCI6gFR.jpeg.

Well, I vote you should get one, & then give us a thread on raising it. It is interesting to watch snakes change appearance as they grow- I like that about so many of the rat snakes too.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Homebody

A couple more fun notes from the expo:

• I got to handle an Angolan python. Their scales weren't as strongly keeled as I had expected. He had a nice disposition though. Vendor told me that he has a fatty deposit in his neck. I didn't notice it. I wasn't considering buying it, but I appreciate the forthright disclosure. It's the kind of thing that makes me trust a vendor.
• I asked a vendor to tell me about his Chinese King Snake. He responded like he had been waiting his whole life for someone to ask him that question. It wasn't salesmanship. It was pure passion. And it was infectious. I'm still not considering getting one, but, now, I feel like I'm missing out.
• I caught the tail-end of a negotiation for an adult black-headed python. Beautiful animal. The price was $3500. She said she really ought to talk to her spouse first. The salesman responded, "It's better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission." She started to walk away. The price dropped to $3000. Though it clearly pained her, she kept going.

---

These are some great observations on the variety of expo experiences that you can't get from online discussions and transactions.

Interesting that the first bullet and the last one seem to be at opposite ends of the 'trustworthiness' spectrum -- the first seems like an honest vendor who is there to spread good vibes and make positive waves, and the last looks a lot like someone trying to slip something by a buyer (responding to reluctance over snap decisionmaking with a price drop is sketchy). And that second point is something that I probably do when I'm behind the table more than I realize -- I get all excited about Black Milks (mentioned earlier), since they're the coolest snake that I feel comfortable selling to a keeper of any skill level.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Well, I vote you should get one, & then give us a thread on raising it. It is interesting to watch snakes change appearance as they grow- I like that about so many of the rat snakes too.

---

Fine. You talked me into it. I'll just have to run it by my wife. In the interest of full disclosure, I'll have to mention the gag-inducing stink, but I'm sure that won't be a problem.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Homebody

Fine. You talked me into it. I'll just have to run it by my wife. In the interest of full disclosure, I'll have to mention the gag-inducing stink, but I'm sure that won't be a problem.

---

Just ask the seller if they'll throw in some nose plugs. I'm sure you can make a deal.

I was going to suggest getting a "corpse flower" plant (Titan Arum, Amorphophallus titanum) to "cover" the snake odor, but unfortunately, I see they only bloom about every 5 years, & not for long, plus you have to wait at least 7 years for the first bloom. Well, scratch that...there must be something else?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Just ask the seller if they'll throw in some nose plugs. I'm sure you can make a deal.

I was going to suggest getting a "corpse flower" plant (Titan Arum, Amorphophallus titanum) to "cover" the snake odor, but unfortunately, I see they only bloom about every 5 years, & not for long, plus you have to wait at least 7 years for the first bloom. Well, scratch that...there must be something else?

---

I'm afraid it's a no-go, and I didn't even mention the retching stench. It was the 8 foot enclosure. They say you can get by with a 6 foot, but I'm not sticking a colubrid in a minimum sized enclosure.;)

Since a good thread about shows has been started, and just speaking for myself in this area, I've wondered and noticed really that shows/conventions have obviously changed.
By that I mean with the new technology enabling people to use credit rather than cash, like the good old days. I'll add that when I first started with reptiles way backin the early 90's with geckos and into this century these shows, and all other (musical instruments, memorabilia) the shows werre all cash. There were always dealers who weren’t the straightest, but thats normal. You could easily figure them out.
But now all we have to do is carry a phone. And as I read in one of the posts about the seller having to look up everything on the phone, I think this has led to more highly questionable sellers and buyers. In 2022I went to my first reptile show in a good 20 years. I think it was the last show at Suffolk CC on Long Island. It was vastly different. There were people there selling plants, plants I say! for a hundred buck a pop! And no, they werent any thing rare and exotic. And even the prices of BP's were high in my opinion. And yes, I beieve the pandemic had something to do with it. But it sounds as though it hasn't calmed or cooled so I just thought I'd share this observation.

Back in the day...not that long ago it seems :oops: Yes, the shows were cash only. I have fond memories of bringing only a set amount of cash in order to limit my purchases. And then running multiple transactions on the ATM machines at the shows because they would only give out $200 at a time. And at the bigger shows, the ATMs would run out of cash and someone would have to be called to come refill them. While you waited to see if what you wanted to purchase got snatched up by someone that still had cash. Good times! :D But they really were good though. Everyone hung out and talked and got to know everyone else and phones were not a part of it at all.

Thank you for pictures. The show looked pretty cool.

I did a little digging on the Kukri. A big nope for me. They need high humidity, have difficult feeding requirements (eggs mostly), and their teeth are no joke. They use them to puncture eggs and they can defensive.

A baby bite easily breaks skin and an adult bite can require stitches.

I'll pass.

Neat to look at but although not venomous, not something I would be comfortable with.