Questions about reptile expos

[kyahbean]

So this Sunday, in White Plains New York, there is a reptile expo. I am planning to go, and hopefully find a juvenile fat tail. (I know it's bad timing but I can hope.)

I have never been to a reptile expo before. I am concerned because I want a captive bred gecko, and I was wondering if they are required to distinguish between that and wild caught. How do you know what you are getting? Do I just have to trust that they are telling the truth?

Also, do I need to bring cash for vendors? And how much do these little guys generally run? I want to be prepared.

Thanks in advance!

 

[acpart]

So this Sunday, in White Plains New York, there is a reptile expo. I am planning to go, and hopefully find a juvenile fat tail. (I know it's bad timing but I can hope.)

I have never been to a reptile expo before. I am concerned because I want a captive bred gecko, and I was wondering if they are required to distinguish between that and wild caught. How do you know what you are getting? Do I just have to trust that they are telling the truth?

Also, do I need to bring cash for vendors? And how much do these little guys generally run? I want to be prepared.

Thanks in advance!

You could go to the reptile expo website and check the list of vendors. Some have webpages or emails. After you eliminate the ones that only deal with snakes, send them an email to see if they're bringing any fat tails.

Some vendors take credit cards and some take cash or checks. I vend on a small scale and am not set up to take credit cards. Bring enough cash for your fat tail just in case (bring $200 if you can; that's more than you need, but you'll have some extra for insurance).

You do have to trust the vendors to answer you honestly if you ask about captive bred vs. wild caught.

Are the AFT's on kingsnake out of your budget range? I did see some ads there today that seem to be CB.

I acquired a pair of AFT's this past spring and am hoping to have breeding success this coming year, but I guess you don't want to wait that long. I got the female from a reptile rescue in NJ and, believe it or not, I got the male from Petco. He had been there over 6 months and had a regenerated tail so I talked them into a 20% discount. He was in fine shape when I got him, just a little underweight and has put on over 20 grams since I got him.

Aliza

 

[kyahbean]

I've been checking Kingsnake daily, and I haven't found any CB Juveniles. There seem to be plenty of adults and wild caught juveniles, though. I did speak with a breeder yesterday and he said he would have some within a month or two, so if I don't find anything this weekend I will most likely hold out for one of his.

I didn't realize it would be so hard to find one. I have a tank all set up and ready with no lizard to go in it.

 

[HepCatMoe]

well it sounds like your doing everything right. you do have to trust the breeder to tell you if its wildcaught or cb.

cb is definately the way to go, for many many reasons. good luck.

p.s. i bet youll love the reptile expo, even if you dont pick up a fatty. try to keep control of yourself though, and hold out for a fattie! you'll see tons of cool stuff, but fatties are the best.

 

[kyahbean]

well it sounds like your doing everything right. you do have to trust the breeder to tell you if its wildcaught or cb.

cb is definately the way to go, for many many reasons. good luck.

p.s. i bet youll love the reptile expo, even if you dont pick up a fatty. try to keep control of yourself though, and hold out for a fattie! you'll see tons of cool stuff, but fatties are the best.

I know! It's so hard to not run out and get a leopard, or an adult fat tail. I just keep telling myself it's worth the wait to get the exact one I want. I really wanna see him/her grow up and get to know me from the beginning of it's life.