Insiders look into Repticon Dallas Reptile Show June 28th and 29th.

Lisa McLisa

Hey everyone, welcome back to Repticon Reptile Shows! I’m Lisa McLisa, and I’m here with Michael Arnold—Michael, you ready to scale up some curiosity today? We have a big Repticon Reptile show in Dallas Texas this weekend.

Michael Arnold

Always, Lisa. I’ve got my coffee, my notes, and about a thousand ball python morphs running through my head. Let’s run through some of the awesome breeders at the show.

Lisa McLisa

Perfect. So, today we’re diving into the world of reptile entrepreneurs—the folks who turn passion into, well, a lot of late nights and maybe a few too many heat lamps. I wanna start with Shawn Barnett out in Fort Worth. This guy’s been breeding reptiles for, what, decades now? He’s kind of a legend in the Texas scene.

Michael Arnold

Yeah, Shawn’s operation is one of those you hear about even if you’re not from Texas. He’s got that reputation for consistency—like, you know if you get a snake from him, it’s gonna be healthy, captive-bred, and he’ll actually answer your questions after the sale. That’s not always a given, right?

Lisa McLisa

Totally. And then you’ve got Adam Lincourt and his wife over at Chromatic Creations. They’re a little newer on the scene, but their setups are just—okay, I’m gonna say it—gorgeous. Like, you walk by their table at a show and it’s like a living art gallery. I always wonder, Michael, what do you think motivates breeders to specialize? Is it just the animals, or is there something else?

Michael Arnold

I think it’s a mix. Some folks fall in love with a species—like, they get their first gecko or python and suddenly it’s a lifelong obsession. But there’s also the business side. If you’re the only one in your area working with, say, a rare morph or a certain gecko, you stand out. But honestly, most of the time, it starts with a personal story. Like, “I got my first bearded dragon in 2006 and now look at me, I’m running ReptilesExpress and Premium Crickets.”

Lisa McLisa

That’s so true. And, okay, quick “Field Flashback”—I remember being in Madagascar, watching this local breeder gently coax these tiny leaf-tailed gecko hatchlings out of an egg box. I was so inspired, I came home and tried my hand at breeding for the first time. My first clutch was, uh, not exactly a success, but it lit that fire. I think a lot of these folks have a story like that—something that just grabs you and doesn’t let go.

Michael Arnold

Yeah, and that passion is what keeps the business going when things get tough. Because, let’s be real, breeding reptiles isn’t all Instagram photos and easy sales. There’s a lot of trial and error, and sometimes heartbreak. But those personal stories? They’re the fuel.

Michael Arnold

Speaking of passion, let’s talk about some of the specialty breeders making waves right now. Cinderella Dragons, for example—they started with a single bearded dragon and now they’re, like, the go-to for healthy, vibrant beardies. It’s wild how much the hobby’s grown since 2006.

Lisa McLisa

And then you’ve got Epic Vibrant Balls. I love their philosophy—captive-bred only, every animal. That’s something we touched on in our last episode, right? The importance of captive breeding, not just for the animals’ health but for the whole community. It’s about sustainability, not just sales.

Michael Arnold

Exactly. And morph specialization is a whole other challenge. Take Urban Albino—they’re all about ball pythons, with a heavy focus on Albino and Candin morphs. That’s a lot of genetic juggling. You have to really know your stuff, and you have to be patient. Sometimes you’re waiting years for a project to pay off, if it ever does.

Lisa McLisa

And let’s not forget Vaughan’s Pythons. They’re always working on new projects, building up their lines. It’s like a living science experiment, but with more scales and less paperwork. Well, maybe not less paperwork, actually. I always forget how much record-keeping goes into this.

Michael Arnold

Oh, it’s a ton. And then you’ve got Trophy Xotics, which I think is really cool because they’re veteran-owned and family-run. That brings a different set of values to the table—community, service, reliability. It’s not just about the animals, it’s about building something that lasts and gives back. I mean, you see that at the shows, right? People gravitate toward vendors who have a story and a mission.

Lisa McLisa

Absolutely. And it’s not just about the animals themselves, but the way these breeders connect with people. Like, you can tell when someone’s in it for the long haul versus just chasing the next hot morph. The ones who stick around are the ones who care about the animals and the people buying them.

Lisa McLisa

So, let’s zoom out a bit. The reptile world isn’t just breeders—it’s a whole ecosystem. You’ve got folks like Mid Florida Displays making snake racks and enclosures. I mean, without good gear, even the best breeder is gonna struggle, right?

Michael Arnold

Yeah, and then there’s Fossilstone Gallery. They’re not just about reptiles—they bring fossils, stones, all kinds of natural oddities. It adds a whole other layer to the shows. You get to see the history of life on Earth, not just the living stuff. It’s like, “Hey, here’s a ball python, and over there is a 200-million-year-old ammonite.”

Lisa McLisa

And let’s not forget the bug folks—premiumcrickets.com, for example. Insect feeders are the unsung heroes of the hobby. If you’ve ever tried to keep a picky gecko happy, you know what I mean. Specialty vendors like these matter so much for keepers. They’re the ones who innovate, who make it possible for us to keep our animals healthy and thriving.

Michael Arnold

Totally. And innovation is what keeps the hobby moving forward. Whether it’s a new type of enclosure, a better feeder insect, or just a smarter way to organize your racks, these businesses are always pushing the envelope. It’s not just about selling stuff—it’s about making the whole experience better for animals and keepers.

Lisa McLisa

I wanna spotlight Redfoot Ranch LLC for a second. They’re doing some really important work with turtles and tortoises. It’s not just about breeding—it’s about making sure these animals get ethical, well-supported care. That’s something we’ve talked about before, and it’s still so crucial. If you’re gonna keep a redfoot tortoise, you need to know what you’re doing, and vendors like Redfoot Ranch help make that possible.

Michael Arnold

Yeah, and honestly, that’s what makes the reptile community so special. It’s not just about the animals—it’s about the people, the gear, the bugs, the fossils, all of it. Everyone brings something to the table.

Lisa McLisa

Alright, I think that’s a good place to wrap for today. We’ve met some amazing makers, dived into the world of morphs and dragons, and peeked behind the curtain at the gear and oddities that keep the hobby ticking. Michael, always a pleasure geeking out with you.

Michael Arnold

Right back at you, Lisa. And hey, if you’re listening and you’ve got a favorite vendor or breeder, let us know—we might just feature them in a future episode.

Lisa McLisa

Absolutely. Until next time, scale up your curiosity, folks! Take care, Michael.

Michael Arnold

See you, Lisa. Bye everyone! Look forward to seeing you at the Repticon Reptile Show in Dallas Texas this weekend!