Sacramento Reptile Show builds kids confidence while meeting cold-blooded animals
Crowds returned to the Cal Expo Pavilion on Sunday to get an up close look at thousands of cold-blooded creatures at the 28th annual Sacramento Reptile Show.
More than 3,000 reptiles, including turtles, geckos, Komodo dragons, snakes and lizards, were on display during the two-day weekend event.
The pavilion buzzed with activity as animal educators, conservationists, breeders and vendors filled the space. Families and enthusiasts moved from table to table, admiring animals and asking questions.
Event organizer Jeremy Epstein said the expo is designed to spark curiosity, especially among younger visitors.
“We give kids the opportunity to learn about them,” he explained. “When you get a child on something, on proper care, on understanding the native environment, and they keep coming back because it grows as part of their interest.”
For beginners, Epstein said the show featured reptiles that are easier to care for, such as bearded dragons, corn snakes and leopard geckos.
For many families, the experience was as much about building confidence as it was about learning.
Sarah Johnson said vendors helped her child overcome fear.
“My daughter was nervous at first,” Johnson said. “But a vendor took the time to explain everything and made her feel comfortable enough to pet a snake.”
Epstein said children more easily overcame fear because of their age.
“They’re young, and they don’t have any built in fears or misconceptions,” he said. “If we educate the kids on proper care, how to find the right animals, and also how that we ought to just be involved in the community, we create advocates for long term.”
