Reptile Expo in Clarke County
Story by Jennifer Welliver, Photographs by Aiden King
If you think you would never, ever, want to keep a snake, a lizard, or a tarantula for a pet, I suggest you visit the next Reptile Expo at the Clarke County Fairgrounds in June. The event takes place in the Ruritan Building at the fairgrounds four times a year. I visited March 22 with Clarke County High School student photographer Aiden King, who took the photos for
this article.
The expo features an array of reptiles, arthropods, and amphibians, along with equipment for setting up habitats, toys, t-shirts, hats, and more.
I truly have never dreamed of having pet snakes or lizards, and most certainly not tarantulas or centipedes. The closest I came was naming a wild frog that would come to visit in my rough old farm home when I worked at Cox Farms in Western Fairfax County at age 19. It might have been a toad, actually. I am not sure.
My visit to the Reptile Expo may not have changed my mind, but I will say that it opened it.
When you enter, snakes are the first thing you see, lots of them in all sizes and colors — and prices. But as you wander past snakes, you find lizards, salamanders, frogs, giant centipedes, tarantulas, and countless other creepy crawlies that may send shivers down
your spine.
The ambassador into the reptile world for me was the giant iguana at the back of the room. Brought by Second-Hand Dinosaurs Reptile Rescue, this guy was found abandoned in an empty apartment with his tail stuck in a closed door. He is a beautiful, graceful creature. As humans we want to put our own form of emotions onto animals, and that is easy to do when interacting with
an iguana.
Whether or not reptiles become attached to their owner in the way dogs, cats, and horses do, it is important to know that they are, for the most part, not interested in snuggling. In fact, most healthy reptiles carry salmonella bacteria in their guts and therefore it will be present in their habitats and on their skin. When handling them, you should have clean hands, and you should wash thoroughly after handling to keep from getting the bacteria yourself. So, refrain from kissing your iguana no matter how fond you are of him!
Whatever your feelings are about snakes, there are so many sizes and colors. They are really beautiful creatures to observe even if you don’t care to hold one.
Like with any pet, before purchasing it is important to consider what is involved in caring for that creature. They all have very specific requirements for
their environment.
All reptiles have different needs, depending on the species, for temperature, humidity, lighting and space. Also, what and how often they eat, and the maintenance routine on their habitat varies. A prospective owner needs to consider the amount of time and space they have for their new pet. Reptiles require regular veterinary care like our furry friends do. You will need to find a local veterinarian that cares for reptiles.
If you have brought home a pet reptile and find that you cannot care for it, search for a pet rescue near you. Some regular local shelters also take reptiles
for rehoming.
Even if you aren’t planning to purchase a new pet, the expo is a fun and educational outing for the family. The June expo will take place at the Ruritan Fairgrounds on June 28, from 9am–3pm.