Once you have decided on a new species you want to own as part of your reptile collection, it is time to figure out how you want to acquire the animal. Common species, subspecies and morphs can easily be found in pet stores, but finding animals that are even slightly more uncommon can become a significant challenge. At this point, you may want to consider visiting a reptile show as a possible way to locate and buy your new addition.
Shows usually feature a wide variety of breeders who each have their own specialty, making it possible to find colors that you would never find in a shop. Even common reptiles such as ball pythons have a huge number of possible phenotypes, ranging from the albino clown morph to banana spider or even cinnamon orange ghost. Leopard geckos are another animal that is widely represented in pet stores, but only in the most common traditional morph. At a breeders show, you can easily find geckos in such colors as super hypo tangerine or blizzard morph. If you visit a show and do not find the morph you are looking for, you can inquire with a breeder and get contacts for a nearby breeder who might have what you need, since most breeders are widely connected with others within their field.
Another benefit of acquiring reptiles at a show is the overall health and quality of the animal. Most people who exhibit at shows are committed to the long-term well-being of their stock, which means that these animals get better care and have been more selectively bred than animals at a store. Most store animals are mass-bred without any thought toward physical attributes or health, while a dedicated breeder will carefully select each pair while considering what offspring they may produce. This means that you will purchase healthier animals without long-term health problems that can eventually make good breeders themselves if you become serious enough at the hobby to become engaged in breeding and exhibiting.
Many breeders at a show are also more dedicated to establishing and maintaining a working relationship with their customers. If you purchase an animal and later want to buy another for companionship or breeding purposes, they will help you select the best individual from their stock for your needs. If you have trouble between two animals and need to return or exchange one, they will generally be understanding about this. Show breeders will also assist in troubleshooting if there is a behavioral problem or other issue with the animal you purchase, and will do their best to help diagnose and reverse the problem.
These are just a few reasons that purchasing your reptiles at a show is better than buying them at a pet store. You will end up with a happier and healthier animal and a better personal experience of ownership. Show breeders will do their best to ensure that you end up with an animal that is right for you, and will help make your relationship with the animal and your working relationship together last.
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Lindsey