Reptile Expo

::::WARNING: This post contains (lots of) photos of reptiles::::

If you made it through the last two posts, you can imagine we've had quite a few conversations about getting an actual pet.  The boys, especially Miles, need something to nurture.  We don't want the responsibility that comes with having a dog. We don't want to take a dog with us when we go out of town, or have to board it.  And honestly, I don't want to buy food for a dog, or have poop in the yard.  We're also not willing to risk having a veterinarian bill, for any reason.  We've had a cat before, lower maintenance, but too much fur and puke.  Lizards, tarantulas, turtles, snakes... have all been brought up in conversation.  So, we decided to go educate ourselves a little by attending a local reptile expo.

As you can see, there were a lot of reptiles!

Apparently this is completely normal, having them all in plastic containers at expos.

Some where in aquariums. 

And they had some out handling them and letting people pet them.

Thankfully, not very many.  Most were closed up.

There were also hamsters.  Pets or pet food, you decide.

We saw some very strange creatures.

And strange in general: This guy had an iguana on his back.

And this lady had a pet raccoon.  Not an option we'd considered! ha.

Then there was this guy with his huge snake.

My boys all pet it, but this is not in the running for our kind of pet!

I tried to take Owen and hide when I knew what was about to happen behind me.

Why do these guys look so happy about cuddling a snake?!

Like, really...  cuddling.

Owen wasn't shy about it, thankfuly this was a well behaved snake.

Owen was actually thrilled when he got a turn.  This snake had been a pet and returned when the owner left for college and couldn't take it with her.  So, she needed a good home.  She was gentle, if that's a word to describe a snake anyway, and calm.  If we end up with a snake, something pre-owed and tamed might be a good way to go. (Did I just say, "Good" about owning a snake?!)

We made the rounds again, petting anything anyone would let the boys lay hands on.

And came across a tarantula, which after all the creepy crawly creatures we saw this day, seems like a good option for a pet!  And this guy had so.many.spiders for sale!!

He also had this vinegaroon, or whip scorpion. 

Miles jumped on the opportunity to hold it when offered.

And when the lady in the booth next to him offered to let the boys hold a bearded dragon, all spiders were forgotten!

Again, so happy about holding these things.

By the end of the day, I was convinced we need this kind of pet.

Or even these!  :)