Cozy up to ball pythons, scorpions and more at ReptiDay

Snakes, lizards amphibians, a few arachnids and invertebrates. That’s what Skip Peel, event coordinator and on-site manager for ReptiDay, has in store for the upcoming event at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter.

Repticon Reptile and Exotic Animal Conventions brings the one-day event of amphibians and reptiles back to Perry from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday.

Peel said it’s a lot like a craft show or a gun show — but with reptiles.

Vendors from around the Southeast will sell animals and related merchandise, including cages and supplements for the animals.

While the animals at each of the various ReptiCon locations vary, guests can expect critters like ball pythons, bearded snakes, smaller monitor lizards, scorpions and more.

Additionally, hourly presentations will begin at 11 a.m. and will feature various demonstrations of skills and talks concerning reptiles and amphibians.

“Part of (our mission) is to educate about animals, to bring people and animals together, but we are a for-profit event company,” Peel said.

Presentations vary from educating the public about an endangered animal to seminars in how to handle snakes.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children (children under 5 are free) and are available at the door or online on the ReptiDay website, reptiday.com/centralgeorgia.html. A ticket gives access to the exhibits all day, but guests are free to leave whenever they please.

“We try to make these events as family-friendly as possible,” Peel said.

The one-day event was adapted from a two-day convention in order to appeal to smaller audiences such as Perry. However, the several thousand animals for exhibition and on sale are expected to draw more than a thousand guests.

And if you aren’t a big fans of scales?

ReptiDay helps people learn to relax around the animals by cleaning up the bad reputation of certain critters and instructing people about the proper way to handle the creatures.

Or, you can always wait in the car.

This story was originally published August 18, 2016 at 9:00 PM with the headline "Cozy up to ball pythons, scorpions and more at ReptiDay."