Expo hopes to shed the skin of reptile resistance

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This article was published 26/06/2022 (912 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

More than 1,000 reptile aficionados flocked to a weekend expo in Winnipeg for the chance to admire all things slithery, scaly and — at least to those gathered — sweet.

Breeders and organizers of the Manitoba Reptile Breeders’ Expo say the event is an opportunity to share their hobbies with fellow reptile fans, educate the public about responsible pet ownership and, in some cases, change people’s negative preconceived notions of reptiles.

“In general (snakes) get a bad rap because of how they’ve been portrayed,” said Jhun de Guzman, owner of Ballistic Pythons in Winnipeg, pointing to movies he watched growing up such as Anaconda and Snakes on a Plane. “Actually, they’re friendly animals.”

De Guzman, flanked by his 11-year-old son with a young snake curled around his hand, said a few visitors approached his booth this weekend shaking with fear. But by the time he was finished with them, they were newly converted ball python fans, even inquiring about purchase (his snakes can range from about $50 to a few thousand, depending on age and other breeding factors).

He even convinced a snake-phobic reporter to cup a three-month old snake in her hands.

Still, not everyone was happy about the event. The Winnipeg Humane Society posted a notice on social media urging potential expo-goers not to attend, saying the events are stressful for animals and display cases they’re placed in are too small.

“The Winnipeg Humane Society advocates for the highest of welfare standards for all animals, regardless of species,” the humane society said in a statement to the Free Press. “Despite many devoted and responsible owners caring for these animals, reptiles and other exotic animals in general, are at greater risk of illness and death as a consequence of inexperienced yet well intentioned owners’ failure to meet their complex nutritional and husbandry needs in a captive setting.”

The criticism is nothing new to breeders. Casey Trizpit, owner of Winnipeg Reptiles and co-organizer of the expo, said he’s tired of forever defending his industry to people he says are biased against reptiles. Regarding the humane society’s criticism of the small display cases some animals were presented in, he made clear that those are not the enclosures they live in outside of the annual expo.

“We’re not an issue,” he said of responsible breeders.

Breeders at the expo said they don’t sell animals captured in the wild, they vet their clients and they teach new pet owners about how to properly care for their new family additions. Some pointed the finger at media for overhyping such news stories as snakes escaping in the city — they say escaped snakes are more likely to die than they are to harm someone — and others say there’s a general lack of appreciation for pets that aren’t furry or cuddly.

Many voiced strong opinions about a recent failed push at city hall for tightened regulation on exotic animals.

Had the specific bylaw changes gone forward this spring, certain exotic animals would have been banned or numbers limited in the city. Proponents of the restrictions said updating bylaws would help address issues of animal hoarding, cruelty and neglect.

Hannah Jensrud said her gecko breeding business would have been affected by the proposed changes. It wasn’t the potential loss of income that would have bothered her (she says she charges under-market anyway) it was the rejection of her hobby and passion.

“I love them,” she said of her geckos.

Maximus, the five-year-old gecko dad to her 11 hatchlings, has a distinct personality, Jensrud said. He is most at home sitting on her shoulder and likes to try to climb up as high as he can, usually the top of her head.

De Guzman, meanwhile, slammed the city’s efforts to restrict breeding and buying, saying critics’ concerns are based not in fact but on fear.

“Fearmongering should not continue anymore. And that’s what the city has done, they’re continuing to fearmonger,” he said.

Breeders point out that existing bylaws already do restrict pet ownership.

A sign on the wall near one booth informed the public that certain animals, including venomous spiders, are prohibited under the city of Winnipeg’s bylaws. It added that people have to be 18 years or older to buy their spiders.

Still, the Winnipeg Humane Society remains concerned about potential mistreatment of exotic animals in the city.

“With no restrictions in our city on the quantities of reptiles that one may house, and no mandatory space requirements per animal, there is sometimes a tendency for these creatures to be accumulated beyond a hobbyist’s ability to provide care, leading to animal suffering and death,” read their statement.

Controversy aside, the event was a chance to spend a Sunday afternoon doing something novel with the family.

Everyone from babies to grandparents peered into the displays, adults chatted about acquiring their own reptiles and curious kids pulled each other from one booth to the next.

katrina.clarke@freepress.mb.ca