Don't: Leave snakes in the car while on errands. (Makes sense) Do: Have mad confidence walking around Olive Garden with a snake in my purse.

This is the most polite way of saying “watch yo damn kids and move out of the way” 🤣 love it

"Oh my god Rex, WHY?!" Rex: "Because I can?" "I just topped off your pool!" Rex: "Yeah. Too much water. I fixed it."

I sell my art at gaming and anime conventions, and god damn, every bit of expo etiquette you go over here is such a mood. People stopping to chat with their friends directly in front of you table is such a thing.

I like how Rex stops playing when you enter the room. She’s like a little kid that just got caught drawing all over the walls with sharpie.

That was, genuinely, the nicest way I’ve ever heard someone say “don’t stand in the way of the vendor and aisle”.

3:07 “UMMM?” Love that color 🤣

I appreciate you mentioning the *appropriate* way to bring your children along. I homeschool my daughters and they love going to events like this, and I really value you giving genuine advice, instead of just passively saying "don't bring them"

These are wonderful tips for any animal expo! :) Some more: 1. Don't gossip about other vendors to another vendor (this is very rude and it's just better to be polite) 2. If a vendor starts to get customers and you're chatting a lot with them, it's totally fine to be like "Looks like you're getting customers! Let me move outta the way so they can get a chance to talk to you too. Thank you for chatting with me!" 3. Best deals are on the last day 👌

the 357 dislikes are parents who let their kids run wild at expos

We got a scorpion at our first ever expo.... I opened the container in the car because I wanted a picture... I can’t say who was more terrified, me, or the very very very agitated scorpion. Luckily the situation was very quickly resolved but lesson learned!

I've sold leopard geckos at expos in the past, and just attended one this weekend. Something has always bothered me. Why do sellers cram their animals into tiny containers? I would have my geckos in plastic shoebox sized bins, so they had plenty of space. You can get them at the Dollar Tree. But this weekend, I actually saw a crested gecko in a plastic tub that had its head flipped upside down and was having trouble turning around. Can we normalize larger containers? I did end up purchasing an animal from a vendor, and he had put all his animals in cute decorated containers that were spacious. A few even had theirs in big rubbermaid tubs. It's just sad knowing those animals were squished in those containers for 8+ hours.

So I was at a show up in Dallas and I saw a woman with her daughter who were interested in buying a snake for a pet, but didn’t know what type was best or how to take care of it. so I led them to a table with some easy beginner snakes and gave a run down of what each needs and how they act. she decided on a milk snake so I gave a more detailed description of what they need and when they’ll need it, at the end of it I pointed her to the tables with the best deals. afterwards I realized I took an hour out of my day to become a salesman and I was pretty good at it.

Loved Rex's innocent "I'm not doing anything. You didn't see me."

I'll be honest, I impulse bought at the expo recently... I have owned reptiles almost all my life but never a tarantula. I have always they thought they were cool but unachievable. After talking to a vendor and them explaining what goes into keeping them we decided to buy a really nice curly hair sling. One of the best purchases ever. She (I hope) is such a cool creature and I have been watching a ton of videos on how to keep this spider. To be fair, all of the vendors were really nice and took their time explaining to the buyer on how to care for the animal. We immediately went home to set this little one up.

as a 12 year old who's into the hobby, it's very overwhelming making sure my dad gets the right stuff. He has some knowledge of reptiles as he used to have them before I was born but I still feel some info is outdated. These videos very much help

I wanna see those do's and don'ts for reptile vending and online shopping. I mean its not like i will ever need them, just fun to watch, and may help some other people

I've also seen kids smack and tap on the snake displays and pick up and nearly walk off with animal deli containers before. Also, i can't tell you how many times I've been hit by or have seen others be hit by strollers. I personally find stroller-etiquette to be the most infuriating lol.

Emily: Talks about wings of fire Everyone liked that.

Y'all's water bill must be insane with Rex's antics xD Edit: I have way too much anxiety to barter with anyone haha

Sneaking a snake in a restaurant in the purse so it won’t die that might just be the best advice I’ve ever had big brain thinking

How many people want to see do’s and don’ts video for shopping online 👇🏻

As someone who is knee to reptile keeping and hoping to attend my first expo in the near future this was incredibly helpful! I know things may be different now as opposed to pre covid but this has alot of correlation with general convention dos and donts. So thank you alot for this! Some I knee from my convention days some I never would have thought of!

I know this is a couple of years after you posted, but thanks for this! I can't own reptiles, but I sure do love them, especially snakes. I want to go to an expo or show and while I'm an old hat at different types of expos and conventions, I've never been to one where there are things that are alive other than humans. Excellent video, and thanks for it!

"Because it's cute, and it's small, only to have it turn into a 200lb+ sulcata tortoise..." Yeah... I was not amused when my wife brought home a little baby tortoise that would outlive us by many years, and grow bigger than us. BTW, did you know it's impossible to house train a tortoise? Did you know an indoor sulcata can, and will, move your furniture? Guess how bad their poop smells... (thank god we now have a larger house, with an actual back yard...)

3:07 love how the owner just wrote “UMMM?” 😂

My son loved being at his first expo and he was so good 🥰 im very thankful to have such a calm little guy. Doesnt hurt that hes a tad shy 😅 he got a plush "banana snake" while we were there and carries it around all the time now. He loves snakes. He had an opportunity to touch a couple real snakes while we were there but he was a little nervous so decided not to ha maybe next time. His 3rd birthday is right around the same time as the next expo in our area and im so excited to take him again. Since the first one we got a leopard gecko and he adores him 🥹 he loves helping me with feedings and is sooo gentle. Im stoked I have a respectful lil reptile lover for a kid🥰

I named my leopard gecko, Sunny, after Sunny the dragon in Wings of Fire.

i once went to the reptile expo in eau claire wi, and i overheard one of the vendors tell a woman that a sulcata tortoise would stay the size of a coffee mug.

Snakes in media: Vicious man-eating machines hellbent on revenge. Snakes IRL: Pls leave me alone I have anxiety

My parents are bringing me to a reptile expo on the 18th, I'm really excited and I watched this for some knowledge. also, Rex was adorable l when she stopped playing once you enterd.

I actually got pressured into buying a hedgehog. The vendor as well as my sister, who was the one who wanted it. Funny thing was I had already done research on hedgehogs when I was slightly interested and wanted to learn more. After researching I had decided I didn’t feel comfortable caring for one and felt like I wouldn’t do a good job as they’re pretty hard and get sick really easily. I said no and my sister really wanted him and she and the vendor(even dropped the price to encourage me) just kept trying to change my mind-telling me how easy they were to care for, just gotta give them cat food for feed and he didn’t even need a hide, the thing could even live in the small bin he brought it in(I did feed it cat food at first until I was able to find a store that sold hedgehog food, he had plenty of hides and even a wheel and I definitely got him a bigger cage set up) and even told me it was just a baby-which turned out untrue cause as we explored more I found people selling actual baby hedgehogs) I ended up agree-telling my sister that she better do all the research and make sure he’s cared for properly. I luckily knew a bit but I was simply worried about how easy they get sick and didn’t want to make a small mistake that would cost the critter his life. Sadly my sister ended up dumping him on me and I barely had him for a year. I believe he got a sinus infection-not really sure but I felt like his nose was a little more wet than normal. But I voweled after that I would never get another hedgehog no matter what-I didn’t want him cause I was afraid I couldn’t care for one properly and now I have his death on my hands and I can’t forgive myself. And I had simply gone to get corn snakes and a hognose and possibly a iguana, came home with a hedgehog, corn snake, and blue iguana(no hognoses were there).

Do: Send a quick email/text/msg after the show to vendors you talked with thank them for answering your questions, compliment their animals, ask questions, and send cute "baby" pics. I love these quick notes (sending & receiving). Don't: For the guys, don't imply or outright say that you doubt a woman's ability to handle or care for reptiles or that they aren't actually the reptile person. I have had male vendors at expos imply it or outright say it when I've asked about a snake or lizard--especial larger species. One vendor even turned to my husband (not a reptile person) to answer the question I had just asked the vendor and proceeded to try to start a conversation about snakes. He made my husband so uncomfortable that my husband literally stepped behind me, then walked away.

All good points. If i may add one: If you hold a reptile, (or a couple from the same vendor), wash hands before going to another vendor and asking to hold another one, (honor system).

I’m so lucky with my dad, he has 20 years of experience with reptiles, had 40 reptiles and made massive custom enclosures (he had a literal MASSIVE room for his animals) we also have tons of spare equipment (my dad is ALSO the king of coming up with last minute solutions)

My brother booped a ball python when me and my mom yelled at him not to and she jumped off him and on the floor.. We bought her and she is the sweetest snake in the world and is doing just fine. (had her for over a year now)

I love how when you walked into Rex’s room and saw the huge mess she made, she looked so, extremely smug about it, like, “Yeah mom, I did this.”

I highly respected one vendor at an Reptile/exotic animal expo. She was selling lovebirds that still needed to be bottle fed, and she refused to sell the tiny birds to anyone who didn't have any experience.

I just want to say that you are like the sweetest person! I love how nice and patient you are. And this video was so helpful. I’m really hoping to go to an expo in the next two months and buy my first corn snake! So thank you 😊

Reptile lovers of 2020 The people: we want expo's Covid19: it ain't happenin honey

For the bartering thing, I actually never thought about that. My fiancé and I got an adorable ball python and the breeder gave us a discount without us asking. Guess we just got lucky haha

“She made it a swamp” Oh Ed what would we do without you!

The Wings of Fire Series is one of my FAVORITE series ever!!!

I've wanted to go to reptile expos for a while now, but I wanted to wait until I was older (I got into reptiles at age 8-9), so I went to an expo when I was 12! I knew to be respectful of the vendors and I didn't hang around the tables too long. Came home with a tokay gecko who I named Kayako and I took great care of her. She wasn't super nice (since she was a tokay), but I treated her like any of my other reptiles. Sadly, she unexpectedly passed away early last year. I never knew anything was wrong with her, and she just died-- A family friend was able to get her cremated and the box still sits on my shelf. Off of the sad topic, I'm going back to the same expo tomorrow and I have decided to get a bearded dragon! I already have a nice tank set up, qnd I made sure the temperature was good and tonight I'm going out to get some veggies for when I return with them. I already have a variety of different insects since I have two leopard geckos and two frogs, so that's all taken care of already. Welp, I'll update this comment tomorrow when I have them!

Do: Shower before going to the expo, in a packed warm expo hall standing shoulder to shoulder, body odor can be overpowering. Don't: Use perfume or cologne and skip the scented hand cream. Again a packed warm expo hall doesn't need your cologne and any critter you touch will be exposed to your chemically scented creams. Do: Ask random people what they bought if they are proudly clutching a deli cup, most likely they are super proud of their purchase and you get to see some of the animals that were bought earlier in the day. (great for killing time while waiting to see a popular vendor) Don't: Let your (younger) child ask to hold every animal they see... My daughter would unabashedly ask every vendor to hold one of every animal if we'd let her. The vendors that heard a negotiation on her max number of cuddle requests either applauded her for her restraint or gave an educational explanation on why the critter probably wasn't up for being held. Love the business card binder idea, I let her collect business cards to share with dad, maybe if they were in a binder they wouldn't all get used for crafts...

restaurant employee: "Everyone said I was crazy, but I knew I saw her and I wasn't crazy when I said I saw the snake head poke out her purse I KNEW IT!"

2:14 such a polite boi 🥹

My family and I might be going to the Show Me Reptiles and Exotics show in Nashville this spring, so this video helps me learn about what to do while there. This'll be my first ever Reptile Expo, and since I plan to breed and sell snakes as my senior summer project, I need all the help I can get. Thank you Emily and Snake Discovery!

1. Prepare enclosures before you go. 2. Decide when you want to go. 3. Leave your pets at home. 4. Pack accordingly. Many vendors don't accept card or checks, and ATMs run out of cash. Bring water and a backpack. 5. Keep an eye on your kids. 6. Be mindful of where you are standing. Don't hang out in an aisle or in front of a vendor. 7. Ask before taking pictures or videos of a vendor's animals. 8. Don't be afraid to ask questions, but do not waste their time if you do not intend to buy the animal. 9. Learn where the animal of interest come from. 10. Don't expect to hold all animals. 11. Don't set animals in another vendor's table. 12. Keep new reptiles somewhere safe and dark. (backpack or bag) 13. Some bartering is okay, but don't low ball them. 14. Grab breeder's business card. 15. Do not impulse buy! 16. Don't let vendors force you into a sale. 17. Keep new reptiles safe on their way home. Do not handle them. 18. Bring new reptiles straight home. If you absolutely HAVE to go somewhere else, sneak the reptile in. 19. Quarantine new animals. (At least 30 days, but three months is better) 20. Leave reptiles alone to settle in. (Especially Hognose snakes)

saying 'leave it alone for a week' is something relevant with a lot of animals too. My family has 4 cats, two of them were super chill straight away, and the other two (one of them is specifically mine) hid for the first week. As my cat was a support animal for me, i had a huge meltdown thinking she didn't love me because she wouldn't come out from under my bed. My mum told me to give it time because she was just scared, and now we're inseparable and have been happy for almost 4 years now.

I went to my first expo this friday (Good Friday) and I learned a lot, I can not buy a ball Python until I graduate college in three years but I am already saving up so I can buy a pretty nice snake and set up the year I graduate. The expo was a great learning opportunity and I took the advice this video gave and it was an amazing experience

Hi this is ten months later I just wanna say that I’m glad you like the WOF series. I personally am waiting for book #14 also your snakes are so pretty!

The last 2 expos ive been to the same breeder tried to pressure me into buying a retic... lol like no im not just going to buy a snake that gets very large just because you talked me into doing so.

“Her name is Sandy because they live in a really sandy area” Got me thinking about what if someone named their child like “the name’s Pillow because we live in a house with tons of pillows” Have no idea why lol

most people: oh yea i just have old bikes and stuff in my basement kidnapers: oh yea i just have kids in my basement emily: oh well guess what i have a crocodile im my basement lol :)

I took my brother with me to a expo a year or two ago, I got myself a few animals a phantom ball python and a blue tongue skink, then he just walks up to me holding a snake he bought (which I’m surprised he didn’t get bit) he bought a green tree python without doing any research on it, he still has it and it’s strong but boy was he not ready, he had to upgrade tank sizes twice! Edit: he originally wanted a black king snake for those who are concerned! Also, I don’t care that he bought another snake, I just wish he would’ve talked to me first!

From personal experience: if you ask to handle an adult woma python at an expo, expect it to try to eat you. All those delicious smells. May well apply to kingsnakes too.

last time i went to an expo, one certain kid was literally opening up every container of snake and trying to hold them. and the vendor kept telling him to be careful which snakes he picks up and that some of them are feistier than others and will bite. he continued to just hold all of the snakes for the duration of the expo.

I love your passion for these animals, it’s so pure.

I met a woman in Walmart last year who had a bearded dragon in her shirt. It was Walmart so I wasn’t surprised but when she saw that I was excited to see it, she promptly took it out and explained that she was on her way home from an expo and couldn’t leave her baby in the car. 😂 it was great. People of Walmart plus reptile expos= happy grocery shopping days!

Don’t: look for hognoses, nobody is selling them Do: look at the thousands of ball pythons for sale

I've snuck in a baby ball python with me at a restaurant after getting her at an expo last spring! No way was I leaving it in the car. They never knew 🤣

Hi Emily! My daughter Emi LOVES reptiles because your videos INSPIRED her to love reptiles. This year (2021) April 10th, she is going to a Reptile Expo. She's is probably going to have so much fun seeing so much reptiles! And to everyone, stay safe!

I found this channel recently and I’m so glad I stumbled upon it. Personally I have a huge fear of snakes but I’m also fascinated by them and love learning about them. Emily is a sweetheart I can tell she genuinely loves her animals it shows in the way she takes care of them. You can also tell this isn’t about money for her and she wants people to love reptiles as much as she does and I respect that.

Wild caught vs captive bred is always my biggest fear. I went to a show once and only one vendor had the species I spent 3 years preparing for. the problem is that I know it's about half and half for wild caught vs captive bred for this animal. When I asked they immediately got very defensive about. Turned me off right away as well as about 70+ people who heard the lady screaming about it.

“ Do a little quarantine” People in 2020: Ha! That’s all I do

Thank you for this! I'm planning on going to an expo in two weeks to find a garter snake breeder... And now I know to take my youngest child with who is sensitive and not my oldest who always runs around and hides under tables!

WOF is one on my favorite series ever! I have read all of the 16 books and can’t wait for #17 to come out!

Take some pocket hand sanitizer with you and sanitize your hands and a little bit up your arms after EVERY animal you've handled. It doesn't help against everything but it definetly lowers the risk of contamination.

I know she's messy but holy crap it's so cute how happy Rex seems to be with you. From what I've gleaned from your videos about her origins, it's really wonderful to see her enjoying herself in the space you've worked so hard to provide for her. Kudos you guys.

My kiddo has watched your channel and at expos, can be a human encyclopedia from your information. At our 2nd show, herps in Conroe, TX, we adopted/bought a 2 1/2 yr old male banana ball. He's so chill through the move and rehoming. My child is so excited! Thank you for all the information!

YESSSS PLEASE DONT LET YOUR KIDS RUN AROUND UNINTENDED!! The last expo I went to I ended getting a crested gecko. He had pooped all in his cup for the breeder and I was switching him out and trying to clean him off a bit. Suddenly this little kid runs over to me and without even asking reaches over and tries to grab him from me. Milo (the crested gecko) then sprints up my arm and jumps from my shoulder to the ground. Luckily someone behind me grabbed him just before he went under the table and handed him back. He could have gotten lost of stepped on. Another time I saw a little kid run down a aisle and knocked a table over. A bunch of supplies and reptiles fell off the table. Thankfully none of the animals were injured and none of the supplies were broke but still.

Rex:" splashing" You : whats that noise Rex: oh noo🐊 You : oh mah gad 🐍

Emily: Another place to avoid standing for too long - like chatting with a friend - is right in front of a vendor's table, because- Me: -It's bloody rude!

Thank you!! This honestly really helped me as I am just about to visit my first reptile expo in Bloomington Minnesota!!

I've had plenty of exotics over my life but I'm researching and preparing to get my first BP(first snake ever in general) and this was extremely helpful since I was going to go to the local expo to get an idea of what the expos are like.

Be aware of the temperature and weather the day you're going. I live in Alberta, Canada and if you go to a winter ir early spring expo it's important to bring an insulated container. The time it takes to walk through a parking lot at -30celcius can kill reptiles. Taking a heat pack in case if car troubles ir an accident is a good idea too.

I would love a does and don’t on buying reptiles online

I’m finally not the only one to read/listen to wings of fire, I love it sooo much, and I have most of the books, only on the fourth one though, almost half way through, love your vids and your reptiles

I have all of the wings of fire books and have read the whole series about 3 times and I have to say, I never get bored of those books. Good choice on a book series!!

Since you like dragons, a good series is "A Natural History of Dragons: A Memoir by Lady Trent" Doubt you'll see this comment, but I tried. XD

Helpful hint: Wear deodorant.

I don't know why I'm watching this because I'll never be going to a reptile expo but god it's so interesting!!

I'm glad I ran into this video because I've never been to a reptile expo and having these tips in mind will definitely help my experience

I would love to see hidden camera footage of Rex wreaking havoc on her toys & enclosure 😂

JEFF'S SMILE WAS SO WHOLESOME HE OWNS MY HEART

I will be going to my first reptile expo in Fresno, CA in December 2021. This video was very informative for me. It helped me greatly in preparing me to go to my first reptile expo. I find your videos to be helpful and informative for me. Thank you for making this video.

Tyvm for this video it’s well thought out and explained. Hopefully a lot of people can watch this video to understand etiquette at a show. This may make vendors life a lot easier. Thanks again

I actually did the "taking my reptile inside with me when I''m running an errand after the expo" thing lol! When I got Piper, my ball python, I needed to stop at the store to get a temperature gun! I didn't have one, but after seeing how useful they are on your channel and then having Pip's breeder tell me where I could actually find one locally (right next door to the expo, funny enough!) I went to go grab one! Pip was very good at not being suspicious while we were there lol!

Snake discovery: here are the do's and don't's for reptile expos Me - probably never going to one, let alone buy a reptile there: YAAASSSSSS

0:18 That smile is so amazing... God I loved it, made my whole day

Loved this! I’m going to my second expo this weekend and this had so many good points I hadn’t thought of!

Thank You for being so sweet to my daughter Avery and my niece Sophia earlier today. They‘ve been looking forward to Tinley Park Expo for 2 months, especially my niece Sophia, she was super happy to meet you, they both were but Sophia is more in to reptiles than Avery is. Nothing makes me happier than seeing the two most important people to me happy and if reptiles are one of the things that keep them smiling then so be it. Thanks for your help in educating them in herpetology as well as taking the time to greet them and making them feel like the special girls they are. Much appreciated!!!

other people: ''nobody can own an alligator! dont be stupid!'' Emily: Hold my beer

A very helpful guide! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and presenting the information in such a kind and engaging way.

Going to my first expo on the 18th! So excited, glad you could give tips ☺️🥲

"She made it a sponge" LMFAO ed and his amazing one liners. I love it. AS ALWAYS WE WANT MORE ED!!!!

My local expo has vendors selling every reptile supply you could imagine at a great discount, which I availed myself of. I didn't even think about it being a helpful thing to keep people from running errands after the expo!!

Love your videos, Emily & Ed. I've been a reptile enthusiast for (holy carp!) fifty-plus years now. I build custom acoustic guitars for a living-- I'm sort of a exotic guitar breeder-- And it's amazing how much of your reptile expo advice applies EXACTLY to people who go to the guitar shows! No kidding, I've exhibited at a lot of guitar shows, and the etiquette is spot-on what you are telling us; and when I go to a reptile expo, I'll know exactly how to behave! Thanks, guys, keep up the good work, you always make my day better. Got a garter snake jones- I'm building a really nice enclosure now.

I've wanted a snake for a long time now... one of these years when I'm good and settled I look forward to tracking down a reptile expo near my home, and I plan to use all of this advice :D