Reptile Expo Today

[HHLL38]

So, today my girlfriend and I attended the Upstate NY Reptile Expo in White Plains. This was our first visit to any reptile expo and it was all in all a good time, but it certainly reinforced a couple of concerns we had.

The care of the reptiles on display was deplorable. I very much understand the economy of how small businesses function, in that typically the profit margins are quite small, with some of these "vendors" really being glorified hobbyists; I feel that they really did not do a good job at all in exemplifying proper husbandry and care. It was most certainly the worst example I've ever seen of proper care and I frequent chain pet stores that are notorious for their lack of knowledge. These "vendors" are supposed to be the people "in the know" about all of these herps that they're selling and they're providing the worst care. I was extremely disappointed to see full grown panthers and sub-adult Oustalet's jammed into deli cups without enough room to even turn around. The quality of the chameleons was also really poor and the individuals selling them didn't really seem to know what they were talking about. For instance, I asked a gentleman what locality the panther he had for sale was, with which he replied "Madagascar". I also saw the very rare "Desert Chameleon" which no seemed to be able to positively identify. Really, really disappointing. To top it off, the only good looking cham at the whole show, a stunning Ambilobe Panther, wasn't even for sale.

Honestly, if it weren't for the vast selection of feeders that aren't available to me where I live, I probably would not go again. I was absolutely appalled at the lack of knowledge by both buyer and seller. Also, who know that bearded dragons and ball pythons were so popular!?

Just wanted to share my frustration.

 

[ReptileLove18]

its always sad to hear about experiences like this.. animals not being taken care of properly and keepers not knowing even what kind of creature they are is ridiculous!!!
beardies and ball pythons are pretty popular over here on the west coast, i actually have a ball python they are awesome!!
anyhow, quite sorry to hear about your bad experience at the expo, wish things were different at these functions

 

[ataraxia]

Most expo's are the same sadly.

Heres where i believe you went wrong though and it is a common mistake. If your looking for "generally" healthy animals with a person to speak to that is truly knowledgeable with what they are selling...You need to speak to a breeder at a show.

When you speak to a animal flipper, as i call them. They are standing behind the table for one thing...Your money. These tables are what you as a consumer needs to identify and decide on your own the risk involved with buying an animal from these guys.

Expos have a variety of vendors and it is up to you to weed out the bad from the good.

Heres a good tip...Before buying an animal from a vendor. Ask multiple (not just one or two) vendors what they think of the animals on the table you are questioning. If any animal on the table looks to be in bad health, walk away.

 

[HHLL38]

Expos have a variety of vendors and it is up to you to weed out the bad from the good.

Heres a good tip...Before buying an animal from a vendor. Ask multiple (not just one or two) vendors what they think of the animals on the table you are questioning. If any animal on the table looks to be in bad health, walk away.

Well this one seemed quite shy in the good department! At least for Chameleons; I could see how some geckos, frogs and snakes could be housed the way that they were and even that I thought was sub-par. I'm just surprised that this is considered common practice.

 

[cosmic charlie]

Well this one seemed quite shy in the good department! At least for Chameleons; I could see how some geckos, frogs and snakes could be housed the way that they were and even that I thought was sub-par. I'm just surprised that this is considered common practice.

I have been attending this show regularly for years. It was never a really good chameleon show. Screameleons used to be there but Vince has not been able to come up in the last few years.

charles dube has some nice panthers sometimes. he had an unusal panther yesterday. A WC that came in as a sambava but had a very white face and eye turrets. If I had room at home I would have bought him.

I saw the ambilobe you were talking about, he was beautiful. I believe the guy said it was from cleanline chameleons. He also said he picked it up at the show.

 

[HHLL38]

I have been attending this show regularly for years. It was never a really good chameleon show. Screameleons used to be there but Vince has not been able to come up in the last few years.

charles dube has some nice panthers sometimes. he had an unusal panther yesterday. A WC that came in as a sambava but had a very white face and eye turrets. If I had room at home I would have bought him.

I saw the ambilobe you were talking about, he was beautiful. I believe the guy said it was from cleanline chameleons. He also said he picked it up at the show.

I had heard that Screameleons hadn't been there for years.

I saw the Sambava you're talking about, he was a bit interesting. Seemed a bit malnourished/dehydrated imho.

The Ambilobe I saw was from Island Reef & Reptiles and was the only decent looking chameleon I saw. The guy was showing a panther off and I asked him which locality and he tells me "Madagascar". Finally a kid that worked with him answered a couple of my questions and he was the one with the Ambilobe. They're going to breed him, almost attempted to make an offer even though he wasn't technically for sale. I really liked him!

Didn't want to be too uncouth.

 

[bugboy]

The guy was showing a panther off and I asked him which locality and he tells me "Madagascar".

hahahaha ........I was there when he said that. I spoke with that guy quite a bit, and in his defense he said his son is the one who really knows the chameleons; he deals more with saltwater fish and corals.

I'll agree that chameleons are not super hot at this show, but that doesn't stop me from checking it out every time it comes around haha. Sure I get tired from looking at bearded dragons and ball pythons, but I'm never there for them haha.....I know the people I have to see. And I go see these people because I've been able to speak with them over the past few months/years and I can trust them. Not to mention, these are the folks who will let me know when a real gem pops up (I have first dibs with one guy ). Then while talking to these people, I meet their customers who may happen to know something I didn't, or may have an animal that I've been looking for. So don't let a few bad apples spoil the whole bunch. If you really look around and ask questions, you should be able to pick out the good ones.