Reptile expos!

K

Keagan

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42
Location
Michigan
Has anyone been to a reptile expo? I'm going to be going to one here in Michigan on March 14th in pursue for a female leopard gecko. Anyways I have some questions about the expos. What would be a ballpark estimate for prices on leopard geckos there? And when going to big chain pet stores there's only usually babies there that are up for sale, can I expect there to be sub-adults or adults at the expo? I want another female for breeding purposes so I need one larger then just a baby.

If I settle for a baby (in the event that there are no adults) then how long would it usually take for them to grow to adult sizes? I've had my current male and female geckos for about a year now and they are still pretty small.
 
TheMrRedSir

TheMrRedSir

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7
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California
I was at the Reptile Super Show in January of this year and August of last year, so I can only speak from for there.

Yes, you'll find Geckos that are 100% ready for Breeding, and in good health too! There were also be juveniles and hatchlings. I bought a female Snow Tremper Albino HET RAPTOR at the Super Show. Age is a price modifier for animals. Hatchlings will cost less compared to the mature breeding adults. So if time is not an issue and you want save some money for the short-term, then getting a hatchling is better.

Breeders will set their own prices accordingly. Some morphs will be sold the same for lower or for higher prices, so it's up to you to be smart with your price-hunting.
 
J

JennyBeen

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87
Location
Denver, CO
I've been to two expos here in CO, and they've honestly just been okay. Both times I felt like I was done with the expo in half an hour, and paid $10 to just get in the door...even then, everything seemed very overly priced. I think it depends on how many vendors are attending, and how many partake in geckos that will give you a variety. Usually they will have some babies, along with some young adults or retired breeders available. I was actually shocked at how high the prices were for some even basic high yellows, starting at $35. I'm also not into breeding, so if you're just looking for pet quality, craigslist or reptile specialty pet stores (not any of the chains) would probably be fine. Hopefully you have better luck than me though. Good luck!
 
cowana

cowana

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593
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Dayton, Ohio
I have been to a few Shows/Expos... Indianapolis, Columbus, Cincinnati. I want to attend the show in Detroit and Cleveland sometime this year. :) What Michigan show are you going to? Detroit?

You will find a variety of dealers from the pros to the amateurs, and the ones that are in the hobby for the love of it to the ones just there to make a buck.

You should be able to find an adult or sub-adult Leo that will fit in your breeding program. Just make sure it is from one of the breeders who can tell you about the geckos parents (or who they bought the gecko from), it's hatch date, sex or what it was temped for, it's morph and hets/possible hets, etc. Usually these geckos are more expensive but you are paying for quality and the piece of mind knowing that these animals are raised right, guaranteed, etc. A lot of times the vendor will haggle a bit and might knock a bit off the price of you find one you really like.

I just bought a sub-adult female RAPTOR (no hets) from the Cin City Show. She is guaranteed against all genetic defects (ES, etc) and for any health problems that aren't caused by improper care on my part. She was originally $100 and I got her for $60. Reptile Shows can be a great resource. :)

This is her:

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K

Keagan

New Member
Messages
42
Location
Michigan
cowana said:
I have been to a few Shows/Expos... Indianapolis, Columbus, Cincinnati. I want to attend the show in Detroit and Cleveland sometime this year. :) What Michigan show are you going to? Detroit?
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Yes it is the Detroit show. About an hour and 45 minute drive for me but I'm sure it'll be worth it. I've taken a look at some of the vendors on the site: MICHIGAN REPTILE SHOW Some of the vendors want $300-$400 for adults on their own personal websites. Pockets are deep, but not that deep.
 
cowana

cowana

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593
Location
Dayton, Ohio
Keagan said:
Yes it is the Detroit show. About an hour and 45 minute drive for me but I'm sure it'll be worth it. I've taken a look at some of the vendors on the site: MICHIGAN REPTILE SHOW Some of the vendors want $300-$400 for adults on their own personal websites. Pockets are deep, but not that deep.
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I live in Dayton, Ohio so it is about 3 hours from me. A few suggestions for that show...

Ohio Gecko is a really reputable breeder. So is Carpe Gecko (DrCarrotTail on GeckoForums), The Gecko Gallery, Magical Geckos, and Suburban Geckos if any of them are there you will be pretty safe buying from them. All of them have Facebook pages and most have websites.

I couldn't spend $300-$400 on a gecko either, but they should have others in all price ranges. Just let them know what you are looking for and they should be able to help you pick out a gecko to fit your needs. :)

You will have 2 really big and really cool supplies vendors there. Josh's Frogs and Pangea Reptiles. Josh specializes in frogs obviously (ha) and Pangea in geckos, but both sell supplies for all reptiles. Take advantage of them! Josh's has great prices on things including feeders and you can buy online and pick up at the show for free to save on shipping. I have bought a few items there for $10 or more off what everyone else is asking. I believe Pangea does the same thing. :)

I hope this info is of some use. :)
 
C

cj.renaud.7

New Member
Messages
6
Location
Michigan
Keagan said:
Has anyone been to a reptile expo? I'm going to be going to one here in Michigan on March 14th in pursue for a female leopard gecko. Anyways I have some questions about the expos. What would be a ballpark estimate for prices on leopard geckos there? And when going to big chain pet stores there's only usually babies there that are up for sale, can I expect there to be sub-adults or adults at the expo? I want another female for breeding purposes so I need one larger then just a baby.

If I settle for a baby (in the event that there are no adults) then how long would it usually take for them to grow to adult sizes? I've had my current male and female geckos for about a year now and they are still pretty small.
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Hey there just a fellow michagander there is a reptile expo at Taylortown trade center in Taylor Michigan on the second Saturday of every month (it's the 14th this month) from 10 am to 4 pm I've been told it's the biggest in Michigan I've been there myself it's pretty awesome.
 
K

Keagan

New Member
Messages
42
Location
Michigan
cj.renaud.7 said:
Hey there just a fellow michagander there is a reptile expo at Taylortown trade center in Taylor Michigan on the second Saturday of every month (it's the 14th this month) from 10 am to 4 pm I've been told it's the biggest in Michigan I've been there myself it's pretty awesome.
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I was planning on going there. But not until next month. Do you remember seeing any leopard geckos there? and what size were they?
 
cowana

cowana

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Messages
593
Location
Dayton, Ohio
K

Keagan

New Member
Messages
42
Location
Michigan
cowana said:
Very pretty male! What strain is he? What morph of female are you looking for to breed with him? Another albino or something different?
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Im not entirely sure on the morph. I got him from a pet store (Big chain pet store) about 7 months ago, I think hes a Bell Albino. I have a female bell however she has severe MBD so she has to be put down. I've been looking for a blizzard or sunglow to breed him with which is why I'm going to the expo next month. However I'm really looking to breed with any morph at this point, so anything I can find at the expo for a decent price really.
 
cowana

cowana

New Member
Messages
593
Location
Dayton, Ohio
Keagan said:
Im not entirely sure on the morph. I got him from a pet store (Big chain pet store) about 7 months ago, I think hes a Bell Albino. I have a female bell however she has severe MBD so she has to be put down. I've been looking for a blizzard or sunglow to breed him with which is why I'm going to the expo next month. However I'm really looking to breed with any morph at this point, so anything I can find at the expo for a decent price really.
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There are a lot of people who may give you grief for breeding a Leo with unknown genetics, especially an albino because it "muddies the waters" that they've been working hard to clean up. I personally am on the fence with this. I think it is ultimately best to breed only a Leo who you know the genetics to. If you are doing it for experience then you need to sell the babies with full disclosure... They are het for an unknown albino strain, and should be Pet Only due to unknown genetics.

The best thing to do, IMHO, is to see if you can find 2 reasonably priced geckos with full genetic backgrounds to use as your breeding pair and keep your albino male as a pet. Then there is no worry about unknown genetics and future pet homes breeding the hatchlings (even though you said they should be Pet Only), continuing to muddy the waters. You may be surprised at how reasonably priced you will find adults/sub-adults with genetic profiles. :)
 
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