All Ohio Reptile Show

The All-​Ohio show tends to hover between extremely depressing and amazingly cool. It’s important to keep in mind that the show is not very long. It comes once a month, and runs from 9 to 3. Not the most convenient hours in the world, but I excuse them significantly for that because we’re dealing with live animals.
Admission is usually four dollars.
Once I step beyond the whole ‘people are stupid’ factor, it is really cool to see folks with their alligators, or purchasing massive cranky snapping turtles. This is the haven of the hardcore collector in the ohio area.
The show itself is small. It’s not creepy small, (like two guys and a table grinning at you hungrily) (Yes. I meant that. Table grinning.) (Good catch) but only fills a small auditorium.
The quality of the sellers leans towards one extreme or the other. There are some who have animals in truly deplorable condition being sold to the naïve. Some have been fed less to keep them small and ‘cute’. If you’re planning to go, you should bring someone who knows a lot about reptiles with you.
If you’re planning on handling anything, bring hand cleaner for the safety of the animals. Zoonoses are no fun. If you’re looking in to picking up a herp, be sure to run a thorough check first. Remember that NO reptile will like you instantly. If the animal isn’t trying to escape… set it down and walk away. And then wash your hands. Lethargy is the sign of an animal that will cost you a great deal in cage supplies and vet bills.
Also, people, do independent research. A lot of sellers will tell you just about anything to sell you that snake. If you’re sure you want it, do more research when you get home. I do not suggest picking up an animal on a whim. It’s a monthly thing, and you can always get it next month. Make sure you have everything BUT the animal before you go and get your new creature.
Also… THESE THINGS GROW. I hate watching people crooning over a baby iguana not realizing they get to be a good six feet long, have lots of pointy bits, and are very hard to tame.
If you’ve got an infant in a stroller, you’re buying a crocodilian and you feel something unpleasant hit you in the back of the head… look for the short girl in the glasses. She has a stern word or two for you.