Repticon Chattanooga July 5th and 6th

Lisa McLisa

Alright, scale up your curiosity, folks! Lisa here, and today, Michael and I are diving into the wild, wonderful world of reptile businesses—specifically, the ones you’ll meet at Repticon Chattanooga this July 5th and 6th. Michael, you ready to talk breeders?

Michael Arnold

Oh, you know it, Lisa. I mean, this is the part of the show where I start mentally making a shopping list I can’t afford. There’s just so much variety—like, Endless Scales? They’re not just a catchy name. They’re Georgia-based, and their setups are always crawling with, well, everything. Snakes, Geckos, Enclosers, you name it.

Lisa McLisa

Yeah, and I gotta say, Roach Hollow is one of those booths where you walk up thinking, “Okay, I’m just gonna peek,” and then suddenly you’re holding a velvet gecko and rethinking your entire stance on bugs. Rascals Reptiles is another one—family-run, out of Hillsboro, Tennessee. They’ve got this vibe, like, you can tell they care about every single animal. It’s not just about the sale, it’s about the story.

Michael Arnold

And Jax’s Exotics—Jackson Willett’s operation. He’s a regular at Repticon, and his booth is always packed. I mean, the guy’s got a knack for rare morphs. You see people crowding around, trying to get a look at his latest clutch. It’s like a mini celebrity sighting, but for reptiles.

Lisa McLisa

Totally. And then you’ve got these boutique breeders—Invert Adorable, for example. They’re all about invertebrates, and honestly, they’re doing some heavy lifting for genetic diversity. I mean, you want rare tarantulas or jumping spiders? That’s your spot. And Gecko Overload—home breeder, high-end crested geckos. I always say, the smaller the operation, the more likely you are to find something truly unique. It’s like, they’re curating their own little gene pool.

Michael Arnold

Yeah, and it’s not just about the animals, right? It’s about the people behind them. These breeders, they’re obsessed—in a good way. They’re tracking lineage, they’re working on rare morphs, and they’re happy to geek out with you about it. It’s what makes the community tick.

Lisa McLisa

You know, this reminds me—my first real “aha” moment with a leaf-tailed gecko? It was at a tiny breeder’s booth, years ago. I was skeptical, like, “Is this just a brown lizard with a fancy name?” But the breeder—she just handed me this little cryptic leaf-tail, and I swear, it vanished in my palm. I was hooked. That’s the magic of these shows. You walk in with one idea, and you leave with a whole new obsession.

Michael Arnold

That’s the gateway gecko effect. Happens to the best of us.

Michael Arnold

Alright, so you’ve picked out your dream critter—now what? You gotta keep it alive, happy, and, you know, not escaping into your neighbor’s laundry room. That’s where the supply side comes in. Reptiles Express, for example—full disclosure, I work with them, but seriously, they’re the backbone of shipping in this hobby. If you’ve ever gotten a live animal in the mail and it arrived healthy, there’s a good chance Reptiles Express was behind it.

Lisa McLisa

And, Michael, you’ve got a story about that, right? Something about a heatwave and a rare shipment?

Michael Arnold

Oh, yeah. So, last summer, we had this crazy heatwave—like, “eggs cook on the sidewalk” level. A breeder needed to ship a rare snake, and honestly, most carriers would’ve just said, “Nope, not happening.” But we worked with them, coordinated cold packs, timed the drop-off, tracked the whole thing. The animal arrived safe, and the breeder was over the moon. That’s the kind of behind-the-scenes stuff people don’t always see, but it matters.

Lisa McLisa

That’s huge. And then you’ve got Infinity Enclosures & Exotics—Georgia-based, and their enclosures are, like, next-level. I mean, I’ve seen some of their custom builds, and it’s not just about looking pretty. It’s about function—humidity control, escape-proofing, all the stuff you wish you’d thought of before your first snake Houdini act.

Michael Arnold

And let’s not forget Premium Crickets. I mean, you want healthy reptiles, you need healthy feeders. Premium Crickets is basically the gold standard—clean, gut-loaded, and they ship fast. Plus, they’re always coming out with new stuff. I think they just launched a new line of micro feeders for tiny species. It’s the little things—literally.

Lisa McLisa

Speaking of little things—Itsy Little Things! They’re all about jumping spiders, but they also do these adorable micro-enclosures. It’s like, you walk by their booth and suddenly you’re considering a spider you never knew you needed. And, honestly, the innovation in habitat design lately? It’s wild. Bioactive setups, 3D-printed hides, you name it. It’s not just about keeping animals alive, it’s about giving them a slice of their natural world.

Michael Arnold

And ethical sourcing, too. I mean, we talked about this in the Dallas episode—if you’re not thinking about where your gear and feeders come from, you’re missing half the picture. The best vendors are transparent about their sources, and that’s what keeps the hobby sustainable.

Lisa McLisa

Alright, so let’s talk about the main event—Repticon Chattanooga. July 5th and 6th, mark your calendars. This show is, honestly, one of my favorites. You’ve got everything from rare geckos to, I kid you not, the Bug Queen herself. There’s a vendor map, scavenger hunts, polls—if you’re bringing the family, there’s something for everyone.

Michael Arnold

Yeah, and the lineup is wild. You’ve got Roach Hollow, Rascals, Jax’s Exotics, but also folks like Cattytonic Art and Critters—so you can pick up a new pet and a piece of art for your wall. And the demos! There’s always something going on, whether it’s a feeding, a handling session, or just a breeder talking about their latest project.

Lisa McLisa

And if you’re new to the scene, don’t be shy. I always tell people—my field tip for any Repticon: before you buy anything, talk to every vendor you can. Ask questions, hear their stories. I’ve made it a tradition—no purchases until I’ve made the rounds. You learn so much, and sometimes you find that one animal or product you never would’ve noticed otherwise.

Michael Arnold

Plus, you get to see the passion up close. These aren’t just salespeople—they’re keepers, breeders, artists, and, honestly, some of the most interesting folks you’ll ever meet. It’s what makes Repticon more than just a show—it’s a community.

Lisa McLisa

Couldn’t have said it better. So, whether you’re a veteran herper or just curious, Repticon Chattanooga is the place to be. And hey, if you see us wandering around, come say hi. We love a good reptile story.

Michael Arnold

Absolutely. And don’t forget to check out the vendor map and maybe try your luck at the scavenger hunt. You never know what you’ll discover.

Lisa McLisa

Alright, that’s a wrap for today’s episode. Thanks for joining us on this behind-the-scenes tour of the reptile business world. We’ll be back soon with more stories, more tips, and, I’m sure, more gecko tangents. Michael, always a pleasure.

Michael Arnold

Always, Lisa. See you at the show—and see you at the Chattanooga Repticon Show July 5th and 6th.