Behind the Scenes: My Journey to Reptile Show Readiness

Hey there, fellow reptile enthusiasts! 🦎✨ I wanted to give you a sneak peek into the whirlwind of preparations happening as we gear up for our next reptile show adventure. The Show Me Reptiles show in Durham, NC, is just around the corner, taking place at the Durham Armory on September 24th, and it's our 3rd show so far.

I must admit; the prep work always keeps me on my toes, and I'm not entirely sure if I've mastered it yet, but I'm excited to share our journey with you.

Isopod Extravaganza! 🌿🐜

This time, we're bringing a whopping 47 bins of isopod colonies, encompassing 15 different varieties. We've had great success at previous shows, so we're going all out this time. Each colony is carefully set up to ensure they thrive and reproduce, complete with a lush substrate mix, cozy moss, leaves, and coconut coir. We even provide gourmet meals – oyster shell, snake shed, and carrots – to ensure they're in top shape for their new homes.

Adding a touch of variety, we're also introducing cupped isopods for the first time at the show. It's a bit more work but promises to be worth it! These little critters will be sold in small groups in deli cups, and it's a project that will keep us busy just before we hit the road.

Packing the Essentials 🎒

Of course, there's more to prep than just the animals. We're rounding up everything we need, from chairs and tablecloths to essential items like paper towels and hand sanitizer (we can't stress enough how important this is!).

Records and Care Guides 📋

Every gecko comes with an envelope for its future owner, containing a care guide, my business card, and detailed information about its age, gender, morph, and lineage. We want our customers to be well-informed and confident in their pet's care. We've got care guides ready for our isopod colonies and for those isopods sold individually too.

Next-Gen Entrepreneurs 🌟

Our kids are also getting in on the action! Our 14-year-old has created a bioactive enclosure, complete with homemade backgrounds, isopods, springtails, and live plants to sell. She's even asked me to write a beginner-friendly care guide for both the plants and the cleanup crew in the enclosure. Meanwhile, our 17-year-old has been busy 3D printing tip-resistant bowls and cool arboreal hides, which we hope will be a hit at our table.

On the Road Again 🚗

With everything packed and ready, including overnight essentials, we're gearing up for a 3.5-hour journey to Durham. But before we hit the road, we (and by we I really mean I) have to pack up the 45 geckos we'll have for sale and cup those isopods I talked about. It takes a lot of time, but we're getting quicker each time.

We'll transport each gecko safely in a deli cup nestled inside a cooler to maintain a stable temperature during our travels.

Anniversary Show 🎉

And as fate would have it, our reptile show falls on our 18th wedding anniversary! It's a special occasion, and we're looking forward to meeting fellow reptile enthusiasts, introducing them to our geckos, and maybe even helping some find their new reptilian family member.

Stay tuned for updates from the show day itself! We hope to see you there, holding a gecko and sharing in our reptile enthusiasm! 🦎❤️