Bothersome thoughts after first expo experience

[FollowTheSun]

I always look at it this way; There are two types of breeders in this game, those that are in it for the money, and those that are in it for the animals. A Reptile Expo generally allows you to see both types.

Now, this is not to say that a poor show display or containment means that the breeder doesn't care. That stuff is expensive to acquire, but most of these animals go into those containers for the weekend and don't come back out until they get "home". Be that a new home, or back to their rack tubs.

I always buy from someone that has happy, healthy animals, and I try to buy from the smaller guys over the bigger ones.

Hopefully you found some nice animals.

Best,

Paul

I did see a couple of guys who really loved it and were enthusiastic about telling me the stories about the individual snakes. They even had some of the parents of the babies on display. I also noticed their display cases were much better quality and the snakes could be comfortable in them for some time.

Then there was the company that must have had over a thousand animals in deli cups. Seriously, stacks and stacks of them around a U-shaped table display, with several employees exchanging money for animals, and none of them knew about the individual animals. There was one side that was just lizards, a table covered with deli cups stacked about 4 high and all the lizards were hanging upside down by the air holes.

And then there was the neat display of rattlesnakes by a rescue/education group. They all looked healthy.

We have enough pets, so did not buy any critters. Except my daughter bought some live plants for her chameleon habitat, and some wormy treats for it. I am not sure if I will be so eager to go back to an expo anytime soon.