Repticon Baltimore Show Sneak Peek

Lisa Parker

Hey everyone, welcome back to Repticon Reptile Shows! I’m Lisa, and joining me today are Michael, Jay, and Guy. We’re gearing up for Repticon Baltimore, happening September 20th and 21st at the Timonium Fairgrounds—seriously, if you’re in the area, trust me, you don’t wanna miss this one. Okay, first things first—let’s talk prep. You know, one mistake I see all the time is folks showing up without a game plan. I mean, the event is huge, there’s this wild rush of energy, and suddenly you’re three hours deep, arms full of random supplies, and you forgot the one thing you meant to buy. So, before you show up, jot down a checklist—are you after a certain species? Maybe looking for new substrate, lighting, supplements? Write it out. And also, keep your phone charged up to take lots of pictures. You’d be amazed how handy it is snapping photos of setups or animals you like, especially for comparing options later. Oh, and don’t forget—many vendors still love cash, but most take cards now, so bring both just in case.

Michael Arnold

Yeah, and to add to what Lisa was saying—if you’ve never been to a Repticon before, one thing that’s different from, like, a pet store is it’s totally normal to chat with vendors. Ask questions! Ask about their breeding practices or, you know, what kind of guarantee they offer. Especially with reptiles, you want to know about health, genetics—heck, even ask for feed logs if you’re nervous! Every vendor here expects that, and honestly, the best ones are excited to talk shop. Also, don't forget to double check if you need any special permits or registration—it's rare, but sometimes local laws get quirky if you're picking up something unusual. Better to sort that out in advance than have a surprise at the door, right?

Jay Tacey

Yep! Oh, and speaking of vendors, make sure you've checked out the map before you come in. I’ve seen plenty of guests wander aimlessly, get sidetracked by, like, the snack counter, and miss their target tables completely—and trust me, Timonium’s floor plan is big this year! If you want to hit every highlight, plot your course ahead of time. And bring extra tote bags. I don't care how meticulous your list is, you’re gonna leave with more than you planned—it’s a law of nature!

Guy Mc Farlane

Absolutely, and—oh, one quick thing—bring something to jot down your favorites, a notebook or even just your phone notes. Sometimes, with all the fascinating talks and rare species on display, it’s easy to lose track. Plus, if you plan on buying live plants or anything with soil, a clear plastic bag for safe transport is handy. I might be biased, but as someone who’s, uh, lugged home an unexpected tree after being inspired, I say better prepared than sorry!

Jay Tacey

So let’s kick off our vendor highlights with Bodacious Balls—run by Chad Glenn over in Baltimore, and, folks, if you love ball pythons, this is ground zero. The name sounds fun, but don’t let that fool you—these guys are serious heavyweights. They’ve earned a perfect 5.0 rating on MorphMarket from over sixty buyers, which frankly is almost unheard of. If you’re on the hunt for quality morphs—think Clown, Orange Dream, Confusion—they’ve got it. Every animal comes with a live arrival guarantee, fair prices, and Chad’s super transparent about genetics and aftercare. You know, I remember back when I was in the thick of zoo world, we’d talk about collections and, honestly, small breeders were just not working at this level. Operations like Bodacious Balls? They’ve raised the game. They're setting standards not just for animal health but for community engagement and sharing best practices.

Michael Arnold

I mean, I’ve pitched Chad’s animals to folks who are brand new and also people with, like, entire snake rooms at home. His aftercare support is legit—he'll walk you through feeding quirks and even quirks in genetics if you want to nerd out on it. It’s super reassuring, especially for someone who's not a total python pro. And if you snag a really wild morph, like the Confusion, you’ll have people stopping you constantly at the show, “Where’d you get that?” Answer: Bodacious Balls, my friend!

Guy Mc Farlane

I just want to add, because I see this in, uh, projects around the world, that Chad’s focus on ethical breeding—not just stacking up rare genes, but making sure the animals are robust, healthy, and well-socialized—makes a real difference. If you’re looking to learn or up your game, chat with him. You’ll walk away having learned something, for sure.

Lisa Parker

And, hey, for all you parents listening—kids are gonna love spotting those crazy morphs in person. They’re mesmerizing. Don’t be shy about asking Chad to show off the patterns up close—he's one of the friendliest faces in the room. Just please, don’t let a four-year-old name your new Clown morph “Noodle Supreme”—we still have giggle fits from last year!

Lisa Parker

Alright, shifting gears—let’s get a little whimsical! A Dragon’s Closet is this awesome little boutique out of Quakertown, PA, and if you’ve never seen a bearded dragon in a tuxedo—or a tutu, trust me, you have not lived. They hand-make adorable outfits for beardies and small reptiles, and I don’t just mean generic sizes. No, we’re talking custom waists, custom sleeves, even birthday hats if that’s your thing! Their booths are always bursting with color, and their Instagram community... I mean, you’ve got to see those photos. There was a post last month of a whole “Enclosure Makeover” that looked better than my own living room.

Jay Tacey

I saw that one—was it the little vest with the leaf motif? That was gold. I’ll admit, I’m more likely to ruin a sewing kit than use one, but their level of detail is wild. It’s that attention that’s bridging the gap between pets and family members. There’s something about seeing how much people care about their reptiles’ comfort and, uh, style, that really wows even old pros like me.

Lisa Parker

Oh! Okay—I have to share this. A couple shows back, we had the now-famous “Kazoo Parade.” Picture this: a bearded dragon, decked out in a pastel tutu with little sequins, strutting down an impromptu runway while I’m leading a kazoo band. And this dragon—let’s call her Petunia—stole the show! She got more photos than I did. It went viral on TikTok, I think? My kazoo career has never recovered. Honestly though, those tiny accessories are built for comfort, not just cuteness, and the staff at A Dragon’s Closet are wizards at helping you get the right fit.

Michael Arnold

It’s not just about looking cute—it starts conversations. New keepers come up and ask about care once they see a dragon in a party dress. Suddenly you’re swapping cage humidity tips while shopping for mini sunglasses. It’s the kind of approachable, family fun Repticon Baltimore is great at, and it makes the show feel like a real community hangout instead of, you know, just a marketplace.

Guy Mc Farlane

And, from a behavioral standpoint, seeing animals comfortable and not stressed in public? It tells you a lot about their care at home. If you see those beardies in their custom outfits, that’s a good sign—engaged keepers and confident pets.

Guy Mc Farlane

Now, for all of you who want something a little wild—and maybe a little green—Busy B’s Exotics, coming in from York, PA, is next up. Seriously, if you love chameleons, especially the rare or hard-to-find ones, make a beeline for their booth. They’ve got not just exotic chameleons, but also monitors, rare geckos, and a whole jungle of tropical plants. Plus, they bring stacks of cork bark, Arcadia lighting setups, and basically most of what you’d need for a top-shelf habitat overhaul.

Jay Tacey

Yeah, their expo booth always looks like a mini rainforest—it’s almost intimidating, in the “wow, do people seriously keep plants this nice?” kind of way! Their chameleon selection includes ethically bred panther chameleons, and they have a strong following for good reason. If you’re after genetic quality and care, they’re right up there in the regional scene. Ask questions about feeding, genetics, or even setup—Busy B’s team genuinely enjoys talking details.

Guy Mc Farlane

Totally. I’ve got to admit, I get a little nerdy here, but their focus on locality genetics in chameleons is…okay, I’ll use the word “exquisite.” At last year’s show, I ended up swapping care tips with them, just, you know, nerd-to-nerd, and we got into this whole debate about optimal basking temps for ambilobe panthers. I walked away with a new plant and, if I’m honest, a lot more respect for how much genetic integrity matters.

Michael Arnold

And Busy B’s understands presentation: even if you’re just browsing, their setup is eye-catching and approachable, so you won’t feel lost or “not expert enough” to ask questions. I love that they combine animals and plants—it’s a one-stop resource for full, healthy habitats.

Lisa Parker

Plus, their Instagram is bursting with enclosure inspiration. If you’re even thinking about going bioactive or just adding a pop of green to your enclosure, stalk their feed for days. Also—don’t feel bad about coming home with more than a chameleon; I’ve seen guests make spontaneous decisions on new hobbies just from their booth!

Jay Tacey

Alright, so that’s just a tiny taste of what’s waiting for you at Repticon Baltimore. We can’t cover every awesome vendor—trust me, we’d be here all week—but these highlights? They’re some of the best of the best. Whether you’re hunting for a new ball python, custom beardie gear, a rare chameleon, or just curious to see what the herp hobby is all about, there’s something here for everyone. We’ll be back soon with even more previews and maybe a few more kazoo stories if Lisa lets us. For now—Jay, Michael, Lisa, and Guy—signing off. See you in Timonium!

Michael Arnold

Don’t forget, mark those dates—September 20th and 21st. And if you see us at the fairgrounds, say hey! Or, you know, challenge us to a kazoo-off.

Lisa Parker

And make sure to tag us in your beardie costume photos! Thanks for tuning in, everybody. Can’t wait to see old friends and new faces—bye all!

Guy Mc Farlane

Cheers, everyone. Come curious, leave inspired—Repticon Baltimore is gonna be wild!