Alright, herp fans, welcome back to Repticon Reptile Shows! I'm Lisa McLisa, and as always, I'm here with my partner in scales, James Walker. James, you ready to dive into the heart of the expo?Oh, absolutely, Lisa. I mean, last episode we talked about the big picture—what Repticon is, the community, all that. But today, I’m excited to get into the nitty-gritty. The people, the passion, the, uh, sometimes slightly chaotic vendor tables. It’s what makes these shows tick.Exactly! And you know, every expo, there are a few breeders that just—stand out. Like, you walk by Rock Agama and you can’t help but stop. Their setups are always so clean, and the agamas? They look like they’re posing for a magazine cover. I mean, I’ve seen a lot of lizards, but those colors are wild.Yeah, and Classic Jurassic—love that name, by the way—they always have those old-school vibes, but with some of the most interesting morphs. And then there’s Permission Pythons. Family-run, super friendly, and they’re always happy to talk about their breeding projects. I think last time I was there, they had a whole photo album of their first clutch. It was adorable.I love that. And it’s not just the big names, right? Some of my favorite stories come from the small family businesses. Like Zippy’s Reptile Hub—husband and wife team, and you can just feel the love they put into their animals. Or Silver Scale Exotics. They’re not flashy, but you talk to them for five minutes and you’re like, “Okay, these folks really care.”Totally. And, uh, speaking of small businesses, can I share a quick story? So, my first real spark for rare amphibians—like, the moment I went from “these are neat” to “I need to know everything”—was at Jax’s Exotics. I was maybe, what, twenty? I wandered over to their table, and they had this bizarre little tree frog. I’d never seen anything like it. Jackson Willett, the owner, just started talking my ear off about their care, their natural history, and I was hooked. That’s the magic of these shows, right?That’s it! It’s those moments. You meet someone who’s obsessed in the best way, and suddenly you’re seeing the whole hobby through new eyes. And, honestly, that’s why I keep coming back. Well, that and the chance to geek out over geckos.So, let’s talk about the stuff that goes around the animals—the bioactive setups, the art, the enclosures. I feel like this is where the hobby’s really exploded lately. You’ve got RolyBois, who, I swear, have every kind of isopod and springtail you could imagine. And then there’s Seller of everything Bioactive—very on the nose, but hey, you know what you’re getting.And don’t forget Home Sweet Home. I mean, their 3D printed hides and decor? I saw a little gecko cave that looked like a Hobbit house. It’s not just functional, it’s—well, it’s art. And speaking of art, have you seen the stuff from Mid Florida Displays? Their enclosures are like, “Oh, you want your snake to live in a penthouse? Here you go.”Yeah, and it’s not just about looking good. These setups really change how we keep reptiles. Bioactive tanks, for example, they’re healthier for the animals, and honestly, they’re more fun to watch. I mean, I could spend hours just watching isopods do their thing. Is that weird?Not at all. I mean, I once spent a whole afternoon in Madagascar just watching a leaf-tailed gecko blend into a tree. But, you know, my first real “wow” moment with enclosures was at a show—someone had built a panther chameleon setup that mimicked a Madagascar microhabitat. Real plants, misting, the whole deal. I just stood there, thinking, “This is as close as you get without a plane ticket.”That’s the dream, right? Bringing a little slice of the wild into your living room. And it’s not just for the animals—it’s for us, too. Makes you appreciate the complexity of their world.Absolutely. And I think it’s cool how the hobby’s grown to include artists, designers, even tech folks. It’s not just about the reptiles anymore—it’s about the whole ecosystem, literally and figuratively.And that brings us to the real heart of the expo—the community. I mean, you’ve got the scavenger hunts, the polls, the vendor map. It’s not just shopping, it’s—well, it’s a social event. You see families running around, kids with checklists, people comparing notes on their favorite tables.Yeah, and those little things—like the vendor map—they make a huge difference. I remember my first Repticon, I was totally lost. Now, you can plan your route, make sure you don’t miss that one breeder you’ve been stalking on Instagram for months. And the scavenger hunts? I mean, who doesn’t love a little friendly competition?And it’s not just in-person, either. Services like ReptilesExpress LLC—they’re the unsung heroes. They connect breeders and keepers all over the country. You find your dream snake at the show, but you live three states away? No problem, they’ll get it to you safe and sound. It’s kind of amazing how the community’s grown beyond the expo floor.Totally. And, you know, it’s easy to think of these expos as just marketplaces, but they’re so much more. It’s where you meet your mentors, your future friends, maybe even your next favorite species. It’s where the hobby comes alive. I mean, as we talked about last episode, it’s about connection—people, animals, ideas. That’s what keeps me coming back, dirt-stained field boots and all.Couldn’t have said it better. And hey, if you’re listening and you’ve never been to a Repticon, or you’re nervous about your first show—just jump in. Ask questions, join a scavenger hunt, get lost in the vendor map. You’ll find your people.Alright, that’s a wrap for today’s episode. We’ve got so much more to explore in the world of reptile expos, so stick with us. James, always a pleasure geeking out with you.Right back at you, Lisa. And to everyone out there—scale up your curiosity! We’ll see you next time.Take care, everyone. See you in Ashville North Carolina. Happy herping!

Episodes

Repticon Ashville NC June 28 and 29