Repticon and exotic animals bring in thousands of fans

Lakeland was the setting of the latest Repticon featuring tons of reptiles and exotic pets. A blue iguana, brightly colored bearded dragons and thousands of snakes were center stage for a packed house of fans eager to purchase a beloved and scaly friend.

Michael Poggi showing off his friendly and beautiful chameleon at Repticon photo Brandon Jones

Michael Poggi from Poggi’s Animal House drew a crowd with a beautiful veiled chameleon on his head while sharing his raw shrimp with a pair of marmosets. We “bottle fed a leopard” which would sit on our couch Poggi explained to a potential customer, explaining the importance socializing these animals and building a strong bond.

Hairless guinea pigs, a blue-red cross ‘hybrid’ tegu, bird eating spiders and pac-man frogs were a hit among the exotic pet crowd.

“This is how you tell the male from the female,” explained Ryan from BearededDragons.co to some young visitors while his bright orange female basked on the display, unphased by the crowd moving past.

Questions and answers are common place at this type of event and the vendors were all helpful in advising fellow reptile lovers.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” could be heard from guests as they pasted the Blue Iguana or one of the many snake variations which filled the halls.

Check out the Repticon website for upcoming shows around the country – click here