Scaly serpents, sandpaper-skinned lizards and a colourful representation of arachnids and other reptilian species lured close to 3,000 people to the 2012 Western Canadian Reptile Expo on Saturday and Sunday.
The exposition came to Red Deer for the third time over the weekend, attracting upwards of 70 vendors from across Canada and one from California.
The show provided all the equipment and food to house all the reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates imaginable.
“Any reptile you are interested in is on display or for sale here so it’s a great show to get an education and to possibly make a purchase,” said expo promoter Greg West.
A reptilian education was exactly why Bethany Hoskin and her eight-year-old son Logan travelled from Olds to attend the show.
“He wants one for a pet so we came to do some research,” Hoskin said.
“I like how I can handle them very easily and they can climb up on my head,” Logan said.
Having not had a reptile for a pet before, Hoskin took the time to ask a lot of questions regarding her son’s love for lizards.
“I am a little cautious because I heard they carry salmonella and I don’t want it loose in the house and I wanted to know about live food but if we keep them contained it will be OK,” she said.
After getting some more information, purchasing a reptile is a little easier, Hoskin said. They are leaning towards a leopard gecko.
“It’s a real possibly now,” she said.
Among the array of reptilians were the tiny aquatic Three-toe Box and Eastern box turtles. The turtles, as large as a loonies, sell for $275 each. But common misconceptions still surround turtles in Alberta, said Tyrone Smith.
“These turtles are fully legal in Alberta,” he said.
“The ones which are illegal are any of the soft-shell turtles, such as Mud Turtles, Alligator Snapping Turtles but most turtles are fine and people don’t realize that,” he said.
As an employee of Canadian Mouseman, based out of Medicine Hat, Smith says the little turtles make great pets with the proper care and research.
He says the box turtles should be set up in a small 10-gallon tank, with water and the correct measure heat and UV lighting.
jjones@www.reddeeradvocate.com