Repticon Charlotte 2025: A Can’t-Miss Reptile Weekend

Jay Tacey

Alright, hey everyone, and welcome back to Repticon Reptile Shows! This is Jay Tacey—back on the mic with you, and today we’re talking about one of my absolute favorite events on the calendar: Repticon Charlotte. Mark your calendars for December 13th and 14th, 2025—Cabarrus Arena & Events Center in Concord, North Carolina. You’ll want to get there early: doors open at 9am on Saturday and 10am on Sunday, running through 4pm both days. And by early, I mean, it gets busy. Enthusiasts come from all across the Carolinas and beyond, and it’s for all ages—whether you’re a first-timer, dragging kids along, or a veteran looking for your next project animal.

Lisa Parker

It’s always got that, um, energy to it, you know? I’m Lisa, and trust me, as someone who’s usually up at dawn wrangling tape and vendor tables before doors even open, Repticon Charlotte is… it’s just special. There’s definitely a family-friendly vibe, but honestly, there’s this wild mix of serious collectors, curious families, and little kids practically glued to the glass enclosures. Add in educational talks, hands-on encounters where you can actually handle animals—snakes, lizards, sometimes even inverts—it’s not just shopping, it’s learning by doing.

Michael Arnold

Yeah, and Michael here—what I love is you’ve always got thousands of people, but it never loses that kind of welcoming, accessible feel, right? It’s not just wall-to-wall vendors; you get those moments where someone at a table hands you a snake and suddenly you’re hooked for life. I can’t count how many times I’ve seen a future keeper go from “no thanks” to “maybe just let me hold it for a second,” and then you see them at the next Repticon with a new enclosure and a big smile. Those hands-on experiences, honestly, they’re what get people really caring about reptiles at all.

Jay Tacey

Exactly! And, okay, speaking of hands-on, here’s an embarrassing throwback: my first Repticon, way back, I was basically just there for a peek—and ended up holding a two-headed snake. No, I wasn’t hallucinating. That thing drew a crowd faster than someone with a tray of free food. It was so interactive, even back then—you didn’t just watch the animals, you got to be part of the action. I think that’s what hooked me on expos forever. If you haven’t gone, it’s one of those “see it to believe it” weekends—everything from “entry-level friendly” to “I can’t believe that species is real.”

Guy Mc Farlane

I’ll second that, Jay. I’m Guy, and I think where Charlotte stands out is, it’s big enough to bring in impressive vendors, but you still get meaningful interactions. Whether it’s parents who want that hands-on, educational part for their kids, or seasoned hobbyists—they come for the rare morphs or unique species, sure, but they stay because you genuinely learn something or form a little mini-community over the weekend. It’s infectious, in the best way. And I’ve worked shows all around the world, and that’s not always the case, you know?

Lisa Parker

Oh, it’s so true. I mean, Repticon Charlotte is really the Carolinas’ “can’t miss” event, just by how much it packs in. You won’t find a better mix of education, access, and pure fun. We’ve seen people start with a leopard gecko one year and end up advocates for bioactive setups or bearded dragon rescue the next—there’s a path for everyone.

Jay Tacey

Alright, let’s sharpen the focus a bit and talk about vendors—because you can’t have a Repticon without some iconic tables. Caraway Creek Ventures is always near the top of that list for Charlotte. They’re out of Asheboro, NC, and if you’ve been to, I don’t know, any serious expo in the southeast, you know the name.

Michael Arnold

Let’s give them their due: twenty-five plus years of snake breeding, and you can tell. Their tables have this mix of, like, old-school credibility and something different too. Besides breeding snakes—good, healthy animals—they brought this whole artisan angle in with the enamel and polymer clay reptile jewelry on their Etsy shop. You can, and I’m not exaggerating, literally walk up and get a baby snake and a hand-crafted ball python pendant in the same transaction. It’s both pet and art.

Lisa Parker

Yes! I always look forward to what new jewelry or ornaments they’ve made—it’s never mass produced, each one has its own little personality. And there’s something to that, you know? I’ve seen people grab a tiny, clay corn snake ornament for their kid as a “maybe next year you’ll be ready for the real thing” compromise—still sparks the interest. Or you buy something for your desk at work, and suddenly you’re the office “reptile person.” (I might—might—be guilty of that myself, by the way.)

Guy Mc Farlane

And from a conservation and animal welfare perspective, that kind of accessible art opens doors. It’s a serious thing! Michael, you mentioned this before at another show, but an animal-themed brooch becomes a conversation starter—“Oh, you like snakes?” Suddenly people are talking about reptile care, conservation, maybe even busting a couple of myths right there at the expo—or even outside in everyday life. Caraway Creek sort of blends culture and community with advocacy, all at their table.

Michael Arnold

Yeah, and their dual legacy—being heritage breeders as well as crafters—is what gives them depth. They’ve done wildlife outreach to schools, been active online—have you seen the social buzz over that two-headed albino snake “Gemini” on TikTok? That kind of unique storytelling, even if you’re not buying, really makes Repticon Charlotte more than just a shopping trip. Every expo needs at least one vendor who captures that blend of hobby and heart, and that’s Caraway Creek all day.

Jay Tacey

Couldn’t have said it better. Whether you’re in it for the serpents or snagging a keepsake to remember your visit, Caraway Creek Ventures is a classic example of what makes the vendor floor so lively at Charlotte. Plus, let’s be real—those ornaments and lapel pins have saved more Secret Santa exchanges than I care to admit.

Lisa Parker

Let’s keep rolling—because if we’re talking about tables you can’t skip, KC’s Creatures out of Wilson, NC is next up. Family-run, super hands-on, and you never know if you’ll find a ball python, a rescue cat, or the actual owners crawling under tanks to fix a water filter. There’s heart in everything they do. Cameron and Kevin—those guys—they’re about making matches that last, whether it’s a bearded dragon for a kid, or an aquarium setup for someone looking for their “wow” fish. I love seeing families come back, year after year…like one big animal adoption reunion.

Jay Tacey

They’ve been at enough shows that you kinda recognize them by the “Oh, I just came back to say thanks” crowd. And KC’s isn’t just reptiles—they’ve got dogs, cats, fish… even small mammals sometimes. The rescue and adoption part is real, too, not just tacked on. It brings a lot of compassion to the expo floor, and I think it makes a difference having vendors who care that much about responsible placements, not just the sale.

Lisa Parker

Totally. And the way they set up their booth—you’ll see photos of pets that’ve been adopted before, with updates and thank-you notes. It builds community and trust. I can’t tell you how many happy tears I’ve seen at their table after a successful adoption. I mean, who cries at a reptile expo? Apparently a lot of people, actually.

Michael Arnold

And on the techy side—they do custom aquarium builds and maintenance, so if you get in over your head with a tank setup, those guys can sort it out, and then some! You get the “how-to” along with the animal, which is something a lot of new keepers don’t realize they even need until it’s, uh, too late with an overflowing sump pump.

Guy Mc Farlane

Now, shifting gears a bit—The Noodle Group from Inman, South Carolina. Small scale, massively dedicated to ball pythons, and… thirty-one morphs?! That’s not a typo. And every last one in their lineup has clear, buyer-first policies—perfect five-star rating, and their shipping practices are top notch. Temperature rules, strict overnight shipping, flexible payment plans, refunds if anything goes sideways—you really see a focus on animal safety, not just the business end. Their morphs range from Bamboo to Clown and Enchi, so there’s always something to catch your eye.

Michael Arnold

Exactly, and as someone who ships a lot of reptiles, I have to say—these folks do it by the book. FedEx Priority Overnight, hold-for-pickup options in heat waves or cold snaps, quick claims process. Their communication is solid, too—if you’ve got a question, you’ll actually get a detailed answer. You get both the animal and peace of mind. That’s rare in any field, but especially at larger expos where things can get hectic.

Guy Mc Farlane

Yeah, the amount of detail in their buyer guidance—you don’t always see that kind of transparency with sellers, and it reflects their ethics. From a project management and welfare perspective, it’s the gold standard. They make the experience positive for both animal and owner.

Lisa Parker

The bottom line is—the three vendors we’ve talked about today really showcase why Repticon Charlotte stands apart. You get family operators, artisan breeders, educators, and real advocates for animal care—all in one giant, energetic space. And you know what? That’s what brings people back every time. Alright, folks, I’ve got vendor floorplans to finish up, so let’s wrap up and let everyone get back to their pre-show prep—or post-show nap, if you’re lucky enough to have one lined up.

Jay Tacey

Yeah, and if you’re headed to Charlotte this December: get your tickets early, bring your questions, and be ready to make new friends—furry, scaly, or otherwise. Michael, Lisa, Guy—always a pleasure. And if you’re listening, keep checking back with us for even more vendor spotlights and show tips—this reptile adventure is just warming up. Catch you next episode!

Michael Arnold

Thanks, everyone. I’ll see you on the vendor floor—probably near a python display if history’s any guide. Take care!

Guy Mc Farlane

Cheers all, and here’s to another show where everyone leaves a little more curious than they arrived. See you next time!

Lisa Parker

Bye all! Pack your hand sanitizer, and don’t forget to say hi if you see one of us at the entrance—kazoo optional. Talk soon!