Experience the Thrill of ReptiDay Port Charlotte

Lisa Parker

Hey everyone, welcome back to Repticon Reptile Shows—Lisa here, joining you with Jay, Michael, and Guy. Today, we’re diving into everything ReptiDay Port Charlotte, which is rolling into town on December 20th, 2025, at the Charlotte County Fairgrounds right here in Port Charlotte, Florida. Doors open at 10 AM and things wind down around 4 in the afternoon. If you're local or even just in the area for the holidays, this is the stop your family can’t miss.

Jay Tacey

Yeah, and Lisa, it’s wild, because events like this—honestly, they’re one of my favorite things these days. I mean, you walk in and there are hundreds of reptiles, all these hands-on encounters, and it’s so open and welcoming for all ages. I might be biased, but seeing kids and even hesitant parents totally light up when they touch their first snake or watch a gecko eat—well, that’s what it’s all about, you know?

Guy Mc Farlane

Absolutely, Jay. That’s, that’s the core of it for me—family, education, and accessibility. I’ve worked in conservation from Johannesburg to Saudi, but there’s something uniquely powerful about these community expos. The chance for, say, a young child to interact with an animal face-to-face genuinely sets the foundation for future curiosity and respect for nature. You can’t replicate that with a textbook.

Michael Arnold

And every time I’m at one of these Florida shows, the energy is just buzzing, right? Fort Myers was like that, too—families everywhere, people stopping to ask questions, sharing stories. As a parent myself, I love seeing those lightbulb moments where a kid suddenly goes, “Wait, you mean snakes aren’t slimy?” and you’re like, “Exactly!” There’s nothing quite like getting hands-on to change perceptions.

Jay Tacey

Yeah, and not to veer off on a total tangent—where was I going… oh, right, Discovery Cove. So, back when I helped open that in 2000, it blew me away how these big animal experiences inspired genuine awe, but I gotta say, some of the most magical moments I ever witnessed didn’t happen at a theme park or a giant aquarium. They were right at these kinds of local shows, where you aren’t just a spectator. You’re part of it. And, honestly, for many future zoologists or keepers, that spark starts in places just like Port Charlotte.

Lisa Parker

Couldn’t agree more! And it’s not about collecting the rarest morph or building the biggest enclosure—it’s about forming those connections, especially for new hobbyists and families. Alright, let’s get into what makes this show stand out, because, trust me, even if you’ve been to expos before, there’s always something at Port Charlotte to surprise you.

Guy Mc Farlane

Let’s talk vendors, because the line-up at this show is, well, seriously impressive. First up—Slithermania. Bryan Carrasco runs it out of Port St. Lucie, and there’s a bit of a reputation, shall we say, for ball pythons done right. Not just healthy animals, but accuracy in sexing, quality habitats, all the supplies you’ll need. And, crucially, Bryan loves talking with new keepers. It’s all about education for him.

Jay Tacey

Yeah, and Slithermania isn’t just about—what do they call it, “healthy, well-established slithers”—but the support that comes with them. Habitat racks, coconut bedding, layaway options… and everything transparently communicated. He’s really trying to build trust with customers, not just push product out the door. That’s so important for folks getting into reptiles for the first time.

Michael Arnold

And right alongside Bryan is Joe Kinney at Gulf Coast Exotics—out of North Port, just up the road. This guy’s been breeding ball pythons, rare morphs, for forty years. Four decades. I always say, if you want to see what expertise looks like in herpetoculture, talk to Joe. His reviews are all five stars, and he’s known for both the crazy diversity in morphs and his honesty—if he says a snake is as advertised, it is. No surprises.

Lisa Parker

We’ve had so many positive comments from families who’ve picked up their first pets from Gulf Coast Exotics or Slithermania. They don’t just sell you an animal and wave goodbye—they answer the questions weeks later, guide folks through tricky molts or feeding hiccups. That kind of aftercare makes such a difference, especially for people starting out in the hobby.

Michael Arnold

I remember my very first time seeing a true designer ball python morph at a Florida show—think it was a Clown or maybe Enchi, memory’s a bit hazy but the feeling stuck with me. You just stand there in awe, and suddenly the breeder’s standing next to you and says, “Want to hold it?” That’s what’s special about meeting people like Bryan and Joe in person. You get to ask about genetics or get real talk about care—much deeper than scrolling MorphMarket or reading a care sheet online.

Jay Tacey

Exactly. Plus, these vendors back up what they say—clear guarantees, great policies, and honestly, they care about the animals, and it shows. It’s that trust and transparency, like what we talked about in the Fort Myers episode, where transparency sets the gold standard for the hobby. That vibe’s definitely here too.

Guy Mc Farlane

Yeah, and it’s not just about the snakes—these conversations, these vendor relationships, genuinely build the whole reptile community. You don’t walk away just with a new animal; you leave with a sense of belonging and support. That’s what makes this such a vibrant space year after year.

Lisa Parker

So true. And honestly, those are the kind of stories that keep vendors like Bryan and Joe coming back to Port Charlotte every year. Which, uh, I guess brings us to some seriously cool finds you probably wouldn’t expect at a typical reptile show.

Lisa Parker

Alright, time to peek into the weirder, wilder corners of ReptiDay Port Charlotte! Florida Regal Jumpers, for example—if you haven’t seen a Regal Jumping Spider up close, you gotta. This is a family breeder, and they really care about their spiders. We’re talking detailed care guides, friendly answers to every newbie question, and—get this—you can actually interact with the spiders at their table. It’s not just cages on a table; it’s a hands-on, educational thing.

Michael Arnold

I’m glad you brought them up, Lisa. I’ll admit, when I first heard “jumping spider breeder,” I pictured, like, one shelf with some little plastic boxes, but wow. These folks do it right—healthy, ethically-bred spiders, lots of one-on-one time if you want to learn about them, and they make it easy for even the biggest spider skeptic to walk away fascinated. They’ll even help you get started with the right enclosure and feeding habits.

Guy Mc Farlane

And the diversity goes well beyond spiders! You’ll find tables stacked with isopods from places like Artesian Exotics, custom-designed gecko displays—sometimes 3D-printed by vendors like For Real 3D—plus racks of supplies, feeders, herd after herd of geckos, and some genuinely unique art. It’s sort of this creative explosion, isn’t it? I always encourage guests, take a slow lap around the floor before you decide what draws you in.

Lisa Parker

You’re reminding me of setting up that expo floor map a while back—sometimes the tiniest table with, say, a colony of bold jumping spiders or a single rack of 3D-printed chameleons would become the biggest showstoppers. There’s always a new vendor surprising you, or a classic like Guardians of the Geckos showing off a brand new habitat build. It’s honestly one of my favorite things about planning these shows: seeing all that creativity and care in person.

Jay Tacey

Yeah, and that’s really what keeps the hobby fresh. Whether it’s a family discovering their first gecko, a seasoned keeper finding a rare isopod, or just someone getting mesmerized by custom reptile artwork—there really is something for everyone. And every vendor here, from Florida Regal Jumpers to all the creatives and breeders, they add to the bigger story: that respect and understanding for animals starts with curiosity and community.

Guy Mc Farlane

Well put, Jay. So if you’re into spiders, snakes, isopods, geckos—or even just looking for a cool experience in Port Charlotte this December—we've got it covered. Ah, and if you get overwhelmed, find Lisa; rumor has it, she can help you with the floor map and maybe even a kazoo solo if you’re lucky.

Lisa Parker

No promises on the kazoo, but I’ll always help you find that spider table! Thanks for hanging with us, everyone. We’ll have more vendor spotlights and event previews lined up, so hit subscribe, leave your comments, and stop by the show if you can! Jay, Michael, Guy—signing off?

Jay Tacey

Take care, everyone. Keep asking questions and stay curious!

Michael Arnold

See you next time, folks. And if you do make it to Port Charlotte, don’t be shy—come say hi!

Guy Mc Farlane

Cheers, everybody. Hope to see you at the next expo—and until then, keep championing animal welfare.