“Toronto Reptile Expo” Review (3 May 2015)
May 5, 2015
There were some beautiful specimens on show today at the Toronto Reptile Expo. Snakes were there in plenty and were definitely the favorite of the day. Among them some rare, exotic beauties like these pastel pythons or Python regius as they are known in the animal kingdom. These pythons make great pets because of their docile nature, not to mention their beautiful markings.
These bumblebee pythons were probably one of my favourites of all the snakes today. The markings are so beautiful and under the right lights they’re iridescent and sparkle like jewels. In fact, the Python Regius or Royal Python gets its name from the African rulers who used to wear them as jewellery.
The corn snake is a North American species of constrictor that is also known for its docile nature and reluctance to bite. These snakes are named after one of their favorite habitats – corn fields and granaries where they prey on mice and other rodents.
Another beautiful constrictor is, of course, the boa. These snakes are easy to care for but they do grow to a considerable size – 7 to 9 feet. So make sure you have the room for this baby to grow or you could be in trouble.
But the show wasn’t all about snakes. There were spiders there too.
And of course lizards. This exotic Monitor Lizard is a very rare species indeed. Related to the Komodo Dragon, it is an intelligent creature but solitary and sometimes aggressive. Not recommended for children, this beastie can grow as large as 7 feet in length.
Some of the exotic pets were displayed in the most beautiful cases or terrariums like this one. There were many vendors on site that specialized in these items and more.
This beautiful terrarium is all set up for plants and then whatever exotic species your heart desires. It’s a beautiful case and makes for a very surreal light feature at night too.
One of my favorite exhibits was the tortoises and turtles like this little guy here. I think it’s a Florida Box Turtle, but whatever he is, he stole my heart and almost came home with me.
But what touched my heart even more was how many rescue groups there were in attendance. Take a look at these poor abused tortoises from LittleResQ.net. There was another group called GNP Reptile Rescue who had a number of snakes and lizards available for adoption.
It was a great event and I highly recommend you check it out next time they're in town. They host a number of events across Canada. The next reptile show will be on June 14th at Downsview Park and promises to be an even bigger event. Don’t miss it! Go to ReptileExpo.ca.