109 reptile expos across 24 states, read from each organiser's own calendar. Use it to find a show near you, then open the organiser link and confirm the date yourself.
Confirm before you travel. Expo dates move. Venues change, shows are cancelled, and organisers add dates after we publish. Every date here was read from the organiser's own calendar on , but a calendar is a snapshot. Always open the show's own website, confirm the date, hours and venue, and check the admission price before you drive. We update this page monthly.
What to do before you go
Decide what you are looking for before you walk in. Expos are loud, crowded and full of animals you did not plan to buy, which is exactly how people end up with a species they have not researched. If you already keep reptiles, bring your list of supplies, since expo pricing on enclosures, thermostats and feeders is usually better than retail and you skip the shipping.
How to check an animal at the table
Look at the animal first and the price second. Eyes should be clear and full rather than sunken. There should be no bubbles or mucus at the nose or mouth, no stuck shed rings on toes or tail tips, and no tiny moving dots on the skin or around the eyes, which are mites. Ask to handle it if the species allows. You are feeling for muscle tone and grip, not just checking it is alive.
Ask what it eats, how often, and when it last ate. Ask when it last shed. Ask whether it was captive bred or wild caught. Those four answers tell you most of what you need, and a breeder who keeps records gives them without hesitating.
Snake mites are the single most common thing people carry home from a show. They are tiny, dark and mobile, and they gather around the eyes, chin and heat pits. If you see them, walk away from that table entirely, because the whole collection is likely affected. Our guide on what mites actually look like covers how to spot them before you buy.
Not sure which species fits your setup and your time? Work through find your pet first, and read the common mistakes for whatever you are leaning toward before you hand over money at a table.
A reptile expo is a one or two day show where breeders, rescues and supply vendors rent tables in a convention hall. You can see a lot of species in person, talk to the person who actually bred the animal, and buy enclosures and supplies without shipping costs. Most US shows run roughly 10am to 4pm and charge a small admission fee.
How do I know if an animal at an expo is healthy?
Look at the animal before you look at the price. Eyes should be clear and full, not sunken. There should be no bubbles or mucus around the nose or mouth, no stuck shed around the toes or tail tip, and no tiny black or red dots moving on the skin, which are mites. Ask to see it move. A healthy reptile has muscle tone and grip.
What should I ask a breeder at an expo?
Ask what it is eating, how often, and when it last ate. Ask when it last shed and when it last had a faecal check. Ask how old it is and whether it was captive bred or wild caught. A breeder who knows their animals answers these instantly. Vague answers are the warning sign, not high prices.
Should I buy a reptile the first time I go to an expo?
Going once without buying is the better plan. Expos are busy and the pressure to decide quickly is real, but the enclosure has to be set up and holding correct temperatures before the animal comes home, not after. Use the first visit to compare species in person and talk to keepers, then set up and come back.
What should I bring to a reptile expo?
Bring cash, because some tables do not take cards, and bring a list of what you are actually looking for. If you plan to buy, bring an insulated container or a small cooler. In cold weather a heat pack matters; in hot weather a parked car is genuinely dangerous for an animal, so plan the trip home.
Are expo dates ever wrong?
Dates move. Venues change, shows get cancelled, and organisers add dates after we publish. Everything here was read from the organiser's own calendar on the date shown at the top of this page, but you should always open the organiser link and confirm before you drive.
Where these dates come from
Each date was read from the organiser's own published calendar on , not from a secondary listing site: