Snakes, lizards, and spiders, oh my! Reptile convention Repticon returns to Mesa

Over Labor Day weekend, Repticon, a traveling reptile and exotic animal convention, made slimy, scaly and spiky return to the Valley with hog-nosed snakes, ball pythons, leopard geckos, tarantulas, and more in attendance.

"We provide shows to people out there who might be interested in getting a new reptile or exotic pets," said Angela Lee, show manager for Repticon Phoenix. "We have vendors that would give you information on how to care for those animals and of course the background and history of them."

Repticon hosted an array of around 15 vendors at the Mesa Convention Center displaying reptiles, plants, and bugs for sale, and selling equipment for experienced keepers to buy supplies, reptile lovers to bring home a new pet, or a chance for kids to get a picture with a snake.

As expected, getting an exotic pet is much harder than just going to Petco. Some Arizona companies specialize in breeding and selling exotic creatures and reptiles, and this gave them a chance to find new business and brought easy access for those looking to add to their collection.

Zac Ala, the owner of Ala Reptiles in Cottonwood, said their sales mostly come from all over the country, but Repticon gave him the opportunity to meet more reptile lovers in the Valley. He said their main focus is a large lizard species called the water monitor, but spectators gawked at the huge iguana priced at more than $1,500 at their booth.

The event hall was filled with people handling snakes on their shoulders and looking at booths, others hoping to add a new critter to their collection, and families with young children.

Oscar Saenz came to the convention with his wife and young son because of his son's love for reptiles, especially turtles and iguanas. They currently own three tortoises and thought this would be a fun activity for the family over the weekend.

Tucked deeper into the convention hall sat Kathleen Love at a vendor stand with an Albino Ball Python named Butter around her neck, sticking its tongue out as guests passed by. Love's sign read "snake picture for $5." In her retirement, Love works part time at the business she owns with her husband Bill called Blue Chameleon Ventures.

"When I was a child, I always had this love for the underdog that nobody liked," said Love. "Snakes appealed to me as a kid because of the way they move so effortlessly and so graceful and the fact that other people didn't like them."

Love said she got her first snake around the year 1968 and by the time she was in ninth grade, she already had a bedroom full of snakes. This led her to traveling with reptile exhibits in her 20s, meeting her husband, and creating a lifelong exploration of observing, researching, writing books, and selling snakes.

At the event, they had pythons, corn snakes, tricolor hognose snakes, and tortoises and offered pictures with the python, mostly as an appeal for the kids and family who frequented their stand.

"What I really liked about this show and shows in general is that most of them are family-oriented, and these kids, who may or may not be scared of them now, are the future," Love said. "By bringing new people into it, people who can enjoy one and maybe have it as a pet or not kill it if they see it in the wild, is good for conservation."

Repticon is expected to return to Phoenix again next year in May.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Snakes, spiders, lizards took over Mesa Convention Center on Sunday