You can see pythons, feed tortoises at the Reptile & Exotic Animal Show. Here’s when
Reptile lovers prepare as the Pacific Northwest Reptile & Exotic Animal Show is back in town.
The show, which was established in 1995, gives visitors all things reptiles and exotic animals. Reptiles and exotic animals will not only be on display, but will also be available for purchase. Along with the animals, the show will also have products available for purchase in order to properly care for them.
Visitors can see a variety of animals from an eagle owl and a red kangaroo to large pythons and geckos.
According to the Pacific Northwest Reptile Show website, the event also provides educational displays on reptiles and animals to inform visitors.
“It’s a educational show and a trade show. The whole goal is to get the community interested and engaged, to educate the community and then with those aspects being in place, they’re able to then acquire a pet and all of the supplies they need for that pet,” Hoffman told The News Tribune.
There’s also a hands-on exhibit that gives visitors the chance to interact with some of these rare species. It’s not a petting zoo, Hoffman said, but visitors can hand feed a tortoise, for example.
“... there’s a lot of those unique, rare species that you can see and interact with and then there is a hands-on educational booth for reptiles,” Hoffman told The News Tribune.
According to the website and Hoffman, the show is the largest and longest running reptile expo in the Pacific Northwest. The event typically has four shows annually, with one show every three months going back and fourth between Hillsboro, Oregon and Puyallup.
The show is scheduled to happen from July 16 to July 17 at the Mattress Firm Showplex. It goes from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, with VIP access beginning at 9 a.m. As for Sunday, the event is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
VIP access gives visitors access to the event an hour early on Saturday and admission for both days, along with a show pint glass and shirt as well as specials provided by most vendors.
Tickets can be purchased online at pacnwrs.com or at the door. Kids 5 and under are free. General admission tickets are $12 for adults and $7 for kids ages 6 to 10. Parking is free.
The show is for those who want to buy a new pet and for those who want to learn more about a particular animal.
“I think it allows up close and personal interaction with unique and rare species that a lot of people otherwise wouldn’t see ever,” Hoffman said. “It also allows you to speak directly with hobbyists and breeders that work with these, so you’re not going to a general large box pet store that might not be as knowledgeable. You’re getting up close and personal with some of the most knowledgeable people in the industry in your area and it really creates a sense of community in that regard.”