Not so creepy: as reptile interest grows, expo held in Scranton
Jul. 29—SCRANTON — Karlee Recipko carried two containers with her latest pets to add to her growing reptile collection. The 25-year-old Archbald resident already has the habitats ready for her flying gecko and leopard gecko.
"They're just adorable and so friendly. I love watching them," Recipko said at the Electric City Reptile Expo held Saturday at the Hilton Scranton and Conference Center.
As the interest in reptiles grows, organizers hope to hold the show three times a year. The first show was held in March, and the next will be Nov. 18.
"The response has been fantastic. The market is there to retain interest," organizer Matthew Helring said.
The Throop resident has 30 snakes of his own.
"People are being exposed to reptiles more often," he said. "People are getting less afraid of them."
Nearly 60 vendors set up in the hotel's ballroom, offering everything from snakes, lizards and spiders, to habitat enclosures, plush animals and live rodents that will become meals. For $5, attendees could pose for a photo with a 35-pound red tail boa constrictor draped around their shoulders.
Vendors said the COVID-19 pandemic gave people the chance to develop more home-based hobbies, and social media, including YouTube creators with popular channels, have helped increase interest.
"These pets are easier than a dog or cat," said Bill Pambianco Jr. of the Pet Zone in Pittston. "There's no barking, no shedding."Many vendors offered crested geckos and ball pythons, two of the more popular types of reptiles to have as pets.
The show also served as a way to bring reptile enthusiasts together to exchange tips, discuss species and educate others.
"I can't tell you what it means to facilitate this event in my hometown," Helring said.
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