Tucson Reptile & Amphibian Show & Sale September 19, 2009

The eighth annual Tucson Reptile and Amphibian Show & Sale will be September 19-20, 2009 at the Tucson Expo Center, 3750 E. Irvington Road. “We had a tremendous turnout for last year’s show with over 6000 people attending,” said Dr. Mark Wolfson, a local reptile breeder and promoter of the event. “This year will be bigger and better than anything the copper state has ever seen.” The exhibit hall will be 40,000 sq.ft. and there will be unlimited free parking.
Alligators, Cobras, Gabon Vipers, Poison Dart Frogs, giant Monitor Lizards and Giant Pythons are just a few of the exotic creatures that will be on display. The Phoenix and Arizona Herpetological Societies will be on hand with their remarkable collections of Rattlesnakes, Coral Snakes, Gila Monsters, a large cross section of Arizona’s reptile fauna and reptiles from around the world. The Tucson Herpetological Society will have ecological displays. The T-Rex Museum will have a large display and host a free fossil dig for kids and adventuresome adults.
Around 70 vendors from coast to coast will be selling and displaying hundreds of species of captive bred snakes, lizards, frogs, tortoises, turtles and invertebrates (bugs). Cages, supplies, books, clothing, sculptures, artwork, ceramics, jewelry and other reptile related merchandise will be available. Reptile lectures and how-to presentations throughout.
“All the reptiles for sale will be captive bred, non-native and non-venomous,” said Wolfson. “By promoting captive bred animals only, we help protect wild fauna. Plus, captive bred animals are healthier and make better pets,” he explained. “The Gem Show is great, but rocks just sit there.”
A full snake bar, oops! I mean snack bar, will be running during the show.
The show will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission prices are $7 for adults, $3 for children aged 6 to 12 and free for children 5 and under. Complete show information can be found at: www.tucsonreptileshow.com.