Best Management Practices – Reptile Shows

REPTILE SHOW SUGGESTED BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BMP)

Reptile shows serve as a public forum for the entire reptile industry.  Shows are where new people are introduced to the world of reptiles and our hobby.  The number of shows held in the U.S. is increasing each year with attendance growing stronger and more diverse.  In response to recent opposition to our hobby on the federal level, we have composed suggested Best Management Practices (BMP) for Reptile Shows. The goals of these BMPs are to promote humane care and presentation of animals during the show, promote legal and responsible ownership, and reduce the risk of introducing potentially invasive species into our ecosystems. Establishing guidelines for shows will strengthen our voice as a community and show a concerted effort to address concerns on the national level.  These practices, if embraced by show promoters and vendors, will help present the reptile hobby as the responsible industry that we are.

• Vendors must comply with ALL local, state, and federal laws.
• All vendors have the right to refuse service to anyone.
• All show promoters should include a section on the show application form to include the vendor’s refund policy on animal returns.
• All animals sold should be accompanied by a care sheet (printed or virtual) provided by the vendor. The care sheet should include proper care techniques for that species, the size attained, and the lifespan.
• All transactions should be accompanied by a receipt of purchase, a business card, and contact information. This helps provide a level of professionalism and customer service, and potentially decreases the amount of theft at shows/expos.
• Receipts should be checked at the exit door to ensure proof of purchase.
• Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult at the time of sale of any animal. Vendors must use their own discretion regarding sales. Not all animals are suitable for all keepers.
• Any animals that appear sick, injured, imported (if all-captive bred show), have visual mites/ticks, are illegal, or questionable should be removed immediately by the promoter. Animal conditions and health are to be determined by the show promoter or their representative.
• Animals need to be presented in appropriately sized containers. Their bodies should be able to move fully 360 degrees in the enclosure/display. Enclosures should have proper ventilation and be 100% secure. This also includes take-home containers.
• Multiple animals in a single cage should have additional room to prevent stress, and also be of the same species.
• Multiple species are not to be housed together.
• Temperature-sensitive and fragile animals should be provided with the proper amount of heat/humidity and care throughout the show.
• Animals that defecate in the cage or container must be immediately removed from the table to be cleaned and sanitized.
• No live rodent feeding should be performed during show hours.
• Live rodents at shows need to be healthy and free of urine stains. Rodent bedding needs to be fresh the day of the show and cleaned and sanitized as needed.
• Frozen rodents need to be clean (discretion is with the promoter). No heavy urine stains, feces on the fur, or excessive blood.
• General attendees should not be allowed to bring personal pets or animals for sale into the show.
• Pythons and boas (species in the families Boidae and Pythonidae) over 6 feet long should be refrained from being wrapped around the necks of attendees.
• Hand sanitizer should be provided by each vendor as well as at the entrance door. To prevent disease, any person handling or touching an animal should properly sanitize their hands before and after contact.
• “Normal” red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) should not be sold.

Venomous Shows

The following BMPs apply to shows exhibiting and/or selling venomous reptile species. These guidelines only apply to states where venomous species are permitted. It is imperative that venomous show promoters go above and beyond responsibility management.

• Waivers—All vendors with venomous reptiles should sign a liability waiver upon check-in, and all customers should do the same.
• The show promoter will assign and provide “Venomous Escorts” to accompany all vendors from the parking lot into the show.
• Venomous reptiles must be brought into the show in the same containers they will be displayed and sold in. No venomous reptiles may be removed from containers, and lids of such containers shall not be removed during the event. No venomous animals may be brought into the expo in a cloth snake bag, and no venomous animals may be sold in a cloth snake bag. No exceptions.
• Red tape is to be used on ALL containers that have venomous reptiles. This includes all potentially dangerous rear-fanged snakes (determined at the discretion of the show promoter). Only containers with venomous species are to use red colored tape.
• No more than one venomous reptile in each container unless animals are for “Display Only”.
• All containers of venomous reptiles must be enclosed in a rigid display case to act as secondary containment. Deli cups containing venomous reptiles will be housed in such a fashion that customers cannot handle them.
• All venomous reptiles must be labeled with scientific and common names.
• No container housing venomous reptiles will be unsealed under any circumstances during the event.
• All venomous tables must have a person at the table at all times and must never be left unattended. If you need to take a break, contact a Venomous Escort to cover your table for you. NO EXCEPTIONS!
• No venomous snake will be allowed away from the vendor’s table without a venomous escort provided by the show promoter.
• All venomous reptiles must be sexed and labeled prior to the opening of the event.
• Venomous snakes are not to be sold to anyone under 18. All customers’ identification must be checked. Only customers possessing a valid ID from a legal state are eligible to purchase venomous reptiles.
• The show promoter shall maintain appropriate written bite protocols, including emergency responder contact information, a bite management consultant, and the location of anti-venom.
• Venomous reptiles that have been sold will be tagged and remain at the vendor’s booth until the buyer departs the show. When ready to exit the event, the customer is to sign a waiver and return to the booth with Venomous Escort. The vendor will give the waiver and reptiles to Venomous Escort, who will escort the customer to their vehicle.
• Any vendor not adhering to this policy and giving customers venomous reptiles without a Venomous Escort shall be ejected from the show, and no vending refund will be issued.