Repticon Chattanooga: Boas, Geckos, and Exotic Pets

Lisa Parker

Chattanooga area, mark your calendars. Repticon is bringing the world of reptiles and exotic animals to Camp Jordan Arena in East Ridge, Tennessee, on Saturday, October 17th, and Sunday, October 18th, 2026.

Jay Tacey

And the address is 323 Camp Jordan Parkway, East Ridge, Tennessee, 37412. That's in the greater Chattanooga area, so it's an easy trip if you're in town or coming in from Georgia or elsewhere in Tennessee. The doors are open to the public Saturday from 9 AM to 4 PM, and Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM, Eastern Time.

Lisa Parker

Saturday gets you an early start, and Sunday gives you a slightly slower morning. Either way, you've got a full day on the floor. Repticon describes the show as a fun, educational exposition for all ages and personalities. It's a truly family oriented event, and these shows draw thousands of enthusiasts in cities across the country.

Michael Arnold

That mix is what I love about it. You get lifelong keepers who know exactly what morph they're hunting for, and then you get a kid who has never seen a snake up close. Both of them can walk the same aisles and both leave with something new.

Guy Mc Farlane

From an animal care angle, that's where a show like this does its best work. When you can see live animals in person and talk directly to the people who breed and raise them, you learn things a photo online can't tell you. Questions about housing, feeding, and handling get answered by someone who actually keeps the animal.

Jay Tacey

Exactly. The experience is the conversation. So let's talk about two vendors you can meet in Chattanooga, and what they bring. We'll start with a Tennessee breeder, then head across the state line.

Michael Arnold

I'll take the first one, because it's right up my alley. Rascal's Reptiles, out of Hillsboro, Tennessee. It's a family run breeding business operated by Charlie Redmon, and they're known for high quality boa constrictors and rainbow boas.

Guy Mc Farlane

What's the specialty?

Michael Arnold

Caramel Albino Brazilian Rainbow Boas, plus other select boa morphs. Rainbow boas are a snake people admire for the way their scales catch the light, so a focused line like that is a real draw for a hobbyist who wants something distinctive. Charlie has built a loyal following of boa enthusiasts since 2019 through their MorphMarket store, where they hold a perfect five star seller rating. Customers praise their responsiveness, healthy animals, and accurate descriptions.

Jay Tacey

That last part matters. Accurate descriptions. When a buyer is making a long term commitment to a living animal, honesty is part of the animal's welfare.

Michael Arnold

Right, and Rascal's leans into that. They emphasize responsible breeding and detailed husbandry knowledge. Whether you're an experienced keeper or a first time buyer, they give personalized guidance on proper care and setup. Their pitch is unique genetics and healthy, well socialized snakes.

Guy Mc Farlane

If you're new to boas, a show floor is a good place to ask about enclosure size, temperature, and feeding before you buy anything. A breeder who offers one on one guidance is exactly who you want to ask.

Jay Tacey

Now our second vendor. Roach Hollow Reptiles and Bugs, from Ringgold, Georgia. And this one is a nice contrast, because it covers two worlds at once, geckos and invertebrates.

Lisa Parker

I'm going to enjoy this one. They specialize in crested geckos and gargoyle geckos, and then they go wide on the bug side. Isopods, springtails, mantids, stick bugs, and tarantulas.

Guy Mc Farlane

Isopods and springtails are what people call a cleanup crew in bioactive terrariums. The idea is a living enclosure, where small invertebrates help break down waste, so the habitat functions more like a small ecosystem. Roach Hollow also carries bioactive terrarium supplies, making them a one stop shop for hobbyists.

Jay Tacey

That's the experience design side of it for me. A keeper isn't just buying a gecko. They're building a space where the gecko can thrive. Geckos, cleanup crew, and habitat materials from one vendor means you can plan the whole setup in one conversation.

Michael Arnold

And they have a clear handling philosophy. They emphasize frequent handling to promote calmer, better socialized geckos, along with that bioactive approach to enclosure design. For someone who wants a pet that's comfortable being held, that's worth asking about.

Lisa Parker

They're regulars on the expo circuit too with appearances at the Southeast Reptile Expo and at Repticon shows, and they share baby animal previews on Facebook and Instagram.

Jay Tacey

So between a Caramel Albino rainbow boa from Hillsboro and a bioactive gecko setup from Ringgold, that's two very different ways into the hobby, and they're only a couple of the vendors you'll find.

Michael Arnold

Bring your questions and bring the family.

Lisa Parker

Repticon Chattanooga, Camp Jordan Arena in East Ridge, October 17th and 18th, 2026. Saturday 9 to 4, Sunday 10 to 4. We'll see you there!