Repticon Lakeland 2026 Season Opener Spotlight

Lisa Parker

Alright team, here we are—Repticon Lakeland 2026! We’re kicking off the new season January 3rd and 4th at the RP Funding Center, 701 West Lime Street in Lakeland, Florida. Saturday runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday’s 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Y’all, it’s always fun to open the year in Lakeland—plus we’re sharing this season opener weekend with Atlanta, so it’s kind of a Repticon double-header, right? The energy’s just huge.

Jay Tacey

Yeah, I love this time of year. Feels like you get the whole country’s reptile crowd either in Lakeland or Atlanta—what, two of the *biggest* events out the gate. It doesn’t get more intense than that for vendors, staff, attendees, all of it. And, Lisa, isn’t Lakeland always—well, it’s got that classic Repticon “family” vibe? Bright venues, tons of kids, big mix of vendors. It’s a great kickoff for new folks, too, not just die-hards.

Lisa Parker

Absolutely! It’s all about making sure we have stuff for kids AND grown-up enthusiasts. Keeps the show accessible.

Guy Mc Farlane

I love how Lakeland always leans so strongly into the community aspect: There’s families, school groups, repeat visitors asking about that “sassy gecko” from five years ago. Atlanta’s big, busy—Lakeland is, too, but it feels local in a really good way. Jay, do you still get the same buzz walking into those opening hours?

Jay Tacey

Oh, totally, Guy. There’s just a hum. I mean, every time—first day, you walk in, vendors are still wheeling in bins, the air’s got that “snake bedding and anticipation” aroma, right? The doors open and—BAM—families, hobbyists, folks with lists, people just exploring. It always makes me want to see what’s changed, which breeders are debuting something wild, what’s going on in the inverts room. There’s always something new at Repticon Lakeland—whether it’s a vendor or literally an animal you have never, ever seen before.

Lisa Parker

And on that note, let’s actually jump into new faces and returning favorites—because one of my favorite things about Lakeland is seeing vendors bring out specialty stuff, especially for the season opener. Jay, want to start with the microfauna pros?

Jay Tacey

Absolutely. So, Just Bugs LLC—they’re real heavy-hitters when it comes to isopods and bioactive insects. This booth just always has jars of every color and size of isopod you can imagine, plus they go deep into other microfauna. And if you’re into bioactive terrariums, clean-up crews, springtails, that whole deal—they’re your people. It’s perfect for anyone thinking about building a self-cleaning enclosure for their dart frog, gecko, whatever.

Michael Arnold

And I gotta say, their expo presence is always fun. They’re not just sitting behind a table—they’re talking, teaching, answering, and posting on Instagram and Facebook, like, real-time. They’re kind of everywhere online if you’re in those hobbyist groups. The whole vibe feels very “hey, come ask, let’s talk.”

Jay Tacey

Right, and it’s more than just having cool bugs for sale. The role of microfauna in a healthy terrarium can’t be overstated. Actually—bit of a tangent here, sorry—but in a zoo setting, I saw firsthand how introducing isopods and springtails into an exhibit could totally cut back on substrate breakdown and kept things cleaner. For the animals, it helped maintain proper humidity, reduced cleaning stress. And you saw fewer problems with mold, funk, all that bad substrate stuff. Honestly, it was a win for staff and—more importantly—the animals themselves. Even in home enclosures, that principal’s huge. It’s the microservices behind the scenes you just can’t do by hand, right?

Guy Mc Farlane

Jay, I totally back you up there. It’s the “invisible workforce” that keeps bioactive hobby thriving. In conservation facilities, bioactive setups can decrease labor and, sometimes, help support breeding or reduce stress on sensitive species. So it’s not just a buzzword—this booth is for keepers who want to try replicating wild conditions, not just keep a pretty tank.

Lisa Parker

And it ties into education, too. We see so many new keepers gravitating toward these setups now—and Just Bugs LLC always takes the time to walk folks through “why” and “how.” It’s a trend I think makes a show like Lakeland feel so modern—people aren’t just buying, they’re learning. Which, by the way, Jay, is kinda what Repticon’s all about, right? The more educated our community is, the healthier these animals are at home.

Jay Tacey

Couldn’t have said it better myself, Lisa. And the booth’s always got a bit of buzz—no pun intended—with folks swapping tips. It’s just… energizing. Bioactive’s not going anywhere, and seeing these vendors at the season opener means more keepers have access right from day one.

Michael Arnold

Alright, speaking of cool setups—should we pivot to the “big league” enclosures and some of the wildest animal lineups in the state? Grimoire Exotics and Maze Exotics have a lot up their sleeves this year.

Michael Arnold

Yeah, so, Grimoire Exotics—if you’re in the market for weird, awesome, or just plain beautiful animals, that’s your booth. Based up in Jacksonville, they bring the works: tarantulas, reptiles, amphibians, arachnids. They’re really strong on holistic animal care, and you can tell. If you ask them about shipping, payment, or care, they walk you through it, whether you’re a pro or you still call every lizard a “gecko.” They even offer nationwide shipping and flexible payment, so if you see something you love, it doesn’t matter if you’re local or not.

Guy Mc Farlane

What stands out for me with Grimoire is—well, in global facilities, holistic care isn’t a bonus, it’s expected. Seeing a vendor *actively* talking about well-being, diet, environmental needs—that’s a shift from being just a seller to a real source of support. It’s a model that sets the standard for others, even outside the States. And, add in flexible payment? Makes the hobby accessible.

Lisa Parker

Maze Exotics is, hands down, one of my favorite booths to watch—because they’re both breeders and custom rack/enclosure builders. Based here in Lakeland, too, which makes their live demos and USA-made products extra special for local show-goers. They’ve got ball pythons, isopods, millipedes—but honestly, the buzz is usually about their PVC setups.

Jay Tacey

There’s something to be said for manufacturers who literally breed the same animals they sell gear for. It isn’t just aesthetics—it’s function, safety, enrichment. We talked about bioactive setups before, but even with custom racks, you’re enhancing animal welfare in ways you don’t always see unless you’ve worked with animals or high-end hobbyists.

Guy Mc Farlane

There’s a growing trend—even globally—where animal health and enrichment go hand in hand with enclosure and product quality. I’m not saying every keeper needs a custom build, but for anyone wanting to replicate natural conditions, things like what Maze is doing are pushing the field. And the more it becomes the norm, the better the overall experience for keepers and animals, full stop.

Lisa Parker

And you see these trends really bloom at the Lakeland season opener. People ask smarter questions, vendors show clever solutions, and there’s genuine collaboration, not just sales. It’s what makes this event—and community—so special to all of us. Whew, did we just accidentally solve half the challenges of the hobby world right here? I mean, maybe not, but it’s nice to try!

Jay Tacey

Well, if we didn’t solve them, we at least got everyone thinking. And hey, that’s how change starts: one cool booth, one smart question, one “aha!” moment at a time.

Michael Arnold

Alright, folks, that wraps up our Repticon Lakeland 2026 season opener spotlight. We’ll be back soon to cover more vendors, new hobby trends, and maybe some more of Lisa’s kazoo stories—if you’re lucky.

Lisa Parker

Thanks, everyone! Have a fantastic show if you’re swinging through Lakeland or Atlanta, and let us know what critters caught your eye. Jay, Michael, Guy—always a pleasure getting nerdy with you all. See you at the next one!

Guy Mc Farlane

Cheers everyone, and take care at your season openers, wherever you are! Looking forward to the next episode.

Jay Tacey

See y’all soon! And don’t forget to pack a notebook—every Repticon’s got at least one surprise.