The LIHS At The Long Island Reptile Expo March 2013

The Long Island Reptile Expo, held on March 17th, this past Sunday, proved to be a great show. This was not the annual Long Island Herpetological Society (LIHS) shows but was one of the shows run by Bruce L. of reptileexpo.com. Once again, Bruce was kind enough to give the Long Island Herpetological Society a free table the expo to help us promote the LIHS.

As usual, the LIHS table was manned by volunteers from within the society. Glenn B., Harry F, John H., and Tara N. all helped out. There is no heavy lifting while working an LIHS table at such events, well unless you are bringing along a large tank for display purposes. Most of the day's work consisted of setting up and breaking down the LIHS display for the table and that consisted of setting a table cloth, setting up a computer for a display, placing some animals on the table (for educational display only) and putting some LIHS flyers on the table. Then the LIHS members, who had volunteered, tried to reel in some new members, give out information about the society and its events, inform some folks about different species of herps and how to care for them and in general help keep the public informed and interested in herps.

Besides the regular computerized display (created and maintained by John H), Harry, Tara, John and myself also gave out a lot of information to folks inquiring about many different of herps. People wanted to know all sorts of things from whether a lizard they owned was sick, to whether or not a recently metamorphosed frog should have started chomping down crickets, to whether or not an animal they were considering buying at the show was a good choice for a beginner, to specific care requirements. Many of them stopped at the LIHS table to get that info and we were happy to give it.

This time there was also a live tortoise display in the form of two young (but over 4" long) Hermann's Tortoises (Testudo hermanni). The display was brought along by yours truly, Glenn B. I am guessing that at least 100 people stopped by the table to view the tortoises and, of them, at least 20 asked for information about them. Several also wanted to buy them but they were not for sale. A lot of kids got to hold them. As a mom or dad was about to snap a picture with their cell phone cameras, I asked them to hand their cameras to me. I then I took the pic, from a better angle if only the kids were all facing the table (thus facing me too) holding the tortoises over it. Most of those shots wound up including tortoise, the child holding it, mom, dad and brothers and or sisters.

Virtually everyone left our table with smiles on their faces, more info on herps than they had before stopping by, and many took a flier and a membership application with them. Hopefully we will be hearing from them again soon by way of them joining the society. Speaking about memberships, Harry corralled at least one and maybe two new members and also had a current member renew.

Besides staffing the table, we all got a chance to walk around the show, scope out all the herp related offerings and buy what we wanted or needed. Tara picked up a nice corn snake, Harry got some tree frogs and herp supplies and I picked up a couple of bags of cypress mulch and a couple of mercury vapor lamps for my tortoises. LIHS member Chris McAllister was also at the show and he picked up a Malaysian Box Turtle and two Central American Wood Turtles.

As usual, there was a lot of variety at the show. There were Dart Poison Frogs, Argentine Horned Frogs, Pixie Frogs, and even some Iberian Newts for the amphibian lovers. As for available reptile offerings, as is always the case at these expos, they far outnumbered the offerings of their slimy or warty cousins. Snakes were probably the most abundant there were numerous species offerings such as those offered up for sale by Cutting Edge Herpetological Inc. (run by LIHS president Vin R.). He had his upscale Ball Pythons, Boas and Hognose Snakes all on the table next to the LIHS table. LIHS member Tony Carrozzo, of Exotic Snakes, was also nearby selling a variety of high end Green Tree Pythons (among other offerings) from his table. Many other vendors were selling all kinds of snakes such as Corn Snakes, Kingsnakes, Black Headed Pythons, Gopher Snakes, Rosy Boas, Green Tree Pythons and others. As far lizards went, there was a wide variety from R. leachianus (some quality critters being sold by Leapin' Leachies), to Crested Geckos, to Gargoyle Geckos, to Bearded Dragons, all the way to green anoles. Turtles and tortoises were also offered but not in as wide a variety as at other shows I have attended. There were some Redfoot, Greek, Russian, and Pancake tortoises and a really nice Burmese Mountain tortoise. In addition there were herp keeping related accessories, equipment and supplies galore. Paul and his crew were there representing Slither & Swim Pets and as usual the variety of herp care offerings on those tables was tremendous. Ken Siffert, Mike Russo and some other LIHS members were also at the event. Long time LIHS supporter, Heidi Hoefer D.V.M. stopped by to see how the LIHS was doing. She sent her regards to all LIHS members.

If you don't participate at the LIHS table, nor have your own vendor's table at the expos, they are worth the visit nonetheless. The prices you pay for herps and herp accessories and supplies almost always beat those you can find at a pet shop or herp specialty store and the wide variety of offerings is amazing. Even if you are not interested in buying but just have an interest in herps, a visit to one of these expos is probably better than a visit to the reptile houses at many zoos as far as the number of species you will get to see. Hope to see you at the next one, stop by the LIHS table to say "hi" or ask for advice or just talk about herps.

All the best,
Glenn B