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KY Reptile expo- what to expect

KyGirl

KyGirl

New member
Hi, I am hoping to attend the Kentucky Reptile Expo in Lexington, KY in February and I was wondering about a few things. I am interested in picking up a new corn snake and would like some idea of what kind of prices to expect so I can be sure to take enough money. I also wanted to know if anyone knew what kind of setup they have. Do they have other things to keep non snake people interested? I will be attending with my sister and her grandson. My sister is not a snake person. I am hoping I can send her to a coffee shop or something. LOL Some of the morphs I want to check on are coral/salmon snow, blizzard, opal, champagne, or other light and or pinkish morphs.

I plan on buying a corn snake but I have been reading up on rat snakes, hog nose snakes, milk snakes, and a few other snakes in case I find something else I like. I took in my corn snake without knowing a thing about her care and I don't want to do that again. Way to stressful.

I plan on taking a couple of different size plastic tubs so I can have a safe place to transport the snake. It will be a three hour drive back and I want to make the experience as stress free for the snake as possible. Anything else I should take?

I am in the process of remodeling a room and plan on setting up a quarantine area in there for the new snake or snakes. I have been reading everything I can find on corn snakes and how to make sure you purchase a healthy one. If anyone has anything to share about expos, I would love to here it.
 
Hi KyGirl! I've not been to any of the Kentucky shows but have been to Indianapolis Expo and smaller Noblesville shows. I've seen plenty of corn snakes at each, but they've all been very small hatchlings. Generally $30 - $60 range. Unfortunately, I didn't pay attention to any of the morphs since I don't really understand the whole genetics thing and wouldn't know one morph from another. What I did notice, though, was that I didn't see a single adult, sub-adult, or "yearling". Everything I saw at each show appeared to be very small (new hatch?) and based on my experience with Sixx, I'm guessing in the 8-12 gram range.

Tons of Ball Pythons at the shows, from normals to designer morphs. I've seen lots of boas and pythons, hognose snakes, etc. Tons of geckos, amphibians, turtles, beardies, etc. My husband goes with me and just enjoys looking (he's not a snake person either, really).

For things to take... well, generally the smaller snakes are in deli cups with a little bit of shavings or shredded paper. For the small ones, they'd probably send you out with the deli cup. I did see some people taking larger snakes out in snake bags. Depending on your weather in February, you may want to take an insulated box to place them in (in individual containers, of course) so that they don't get a sudden thermal shock as you walk outdoors to your car if the weather is nasty. I imagine they'd be ok in the 3 hour ride back to your home at whatever heat you set for your own comfort (don't place them directly near a heat vent in your car, though!). I think the key would be whatever you transport them in, avoid sudden temperature shocks.

And take a cooler with ice packs! Expos are great places to pick up frozen feeders, and you don't want them to thaw on your drive home. Also expos are great places to pick up bulk aspen shavings if you choose to use it. Lots of great things - I enjoy going to them even if I purchase nothing.
 
If you've never been to an expo, my first thought is that you will be overwhelmed! Your first show will feel like miles and miles of deli cups. Your sister not being a snake person, might find something else that interests her, but if she's just not an animal person at all, she's going to probably be out of luck. As far as things to bring, I just be sure to have a solid plastic rubbermaid with a few towels in it. If it's going to be in the car with you, no heat or cool packs will be needed for 3 hours. I do quarantine and think that's a great idea. Also, get business cards from anyone you buy from! And remember, they can be a great place to get frozen feeders from, so bring enough money for that and enjoy the show!
 
I've heard the KY show isn't very big. Expect lots of balls and very basic corn morphs...
 
Thank everybody. I never would have thought to be prepared to pick up feeders. I pay $1.53 a piece right now. If I can get them cheaper I will stock up. It is really cold some days and warm other days right now. January and February are usually our coldest months so I will take a few heat packs just in case. And a few stick on thermometers to kinda keep an eye on thermometers. I have plenty of coolers in various sizes to take.

Living in the "bible belt" I kinda wondered if there would be a lot of interest at a reptile expo. If I don't find something there, I plan on keeping an eye on what is for sale here and buying from one of the members. I just worry about shipping. I don't have any Fedex location close. They do deliver to the house but will leave your package on the porch at the mercy of the neighbors dogs and cats that hang around. The UPS guy leaves things at the post office if no one is home or the neighbors. So shipping would be tricky. The Ace Hardware store in the next town takes Fedex packages for pickup but I don't know about having a Fedex package held there. I will have to check out some options. I have seen so many beautiful snakes offered for sale on her.
 
Whew! I just looked up a Google Map for Beauty, KY. You must be in absolutely gorgeous country, because there doesn't appear to be a town of any size very close to you. I'm envious!
 
Every time I vended at a KY show, it seemed I had the most diverse corn selection and the most high end morphs. That said, I don't think I've ever sold anything fancier than a ghost or an anery and last time some guy insisted on haggling with me over a $10 hatchling. Maybe things will pick up a bit, but selection was very limited, especially with regards to corn morphs, at the last few I attended.
 
Yes we have some beautiful country. Or did until the tornado last March. Well it is still beautiful but we have a lot less old grove trees. My little piece of property got cleared of trees and my kennel was destroyed. Family lost homes.

Living in the country has its drawl backs but I don't think I could handle city life. Here you can just walk into the hills and find quiet. Not to mention all the wildlife. We have a bear, deer, wild cats, and more snakes than most people are comfortable with. LOL I am going to invest in a good camera this Spring and do some field herping. I live in a very old family home and constantly have to relocate copper heads, rat snakes, and ring necked snakes. Found a very large 8 button timber rattler in the yard this summer. It had been hit by a car though and died. My family thinks I am insane relocating copper heads but I think every animal has its place. As long as I don't need to eat it, protect myself from it, or defend a family member from it I will let it be.

I am looking forward to meeting other snake fanciers. I know no one but my nephew who likes reptiles. I am so glad I found this board. Everyone here has been so helpful and tolerant of my newbie freak outs.
 
I just came across this or I would have posted sooner. I've been to lots of the KY shows. When they first started in 2005 (I think) in Morehead the shows were great. I always left wanting to bring home something and I usually did. Lately the shows have been disappointing if you like corns/kings/milks. There are lots of ball pythons and crested and leopard geckos. I know one vendor who does usually have some corns. I think he has bloodred babies right now.
I'm not sure what the feeder situation is like now. There was a vendor that had great prices and really good quality, but they sent me a message a few months ago saying that they would no longer be vending at the shows.
To be honest I've not purchased an animal from a show in a long time. Once you get over the initial fear of having snakes shipped you start to really appreciate the fact that you can get exactly what you want and shipping will cost less than driving to Lexington from Martin Co. I ALWAYS have my animals held for pickup at the Langley (Floyd Co.) Fed Ex hub. I DO NOT trust them to be delivered to my house.
I don't want to sound negative about the shows, trust me, I wish they were as great as they started out. Just be cautious about what you buy and who you buy from, and always carefully inspect before you buy. I have seen some corns for sale there that were very thin and likely problem feeders. Beware of deals that seem to good to be true and ask lots of questions. Also, you should try to get there early, so you can beat the crowd and get a good look at everything. If you do see something nice don't wait too long because it may be gone when you go back to look at it. The good stuff sells quick.
Hope that helps.
 
If you are picking up feeders, don't forget the cooler and ice! And if you are going to stop for lunch or whatever, bring the snakes in with you, don't leave them in the car. So make sure you have a purse big enough to smuggle them around in.
 
Thanks everybody. I still plan on going just for the experience but I think I will buy my next snake from one of the members here. That way I know for sure what I am getting. I keep seeing some beautiful snakes for sale on here. I am trying to wait until the winter and the holidays are over to buy but I have been very tempted by some of the posts. I am remodeling a bedroom and setting up one wall to house a snake display area. I have to wire it and completely refinish the inside so I might as well. Lots of plugins and such. I am going to use my old room as a quarantine area. In the meantime, I am reading Kathy's book, getting lots of information, and trying to be as prepared as possible.

Merry Christmas to all.
 
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