W.Va. Reptile Expo Returns

Since 2014, the West Virginia Reptile Expo has brought animals, supplies, plants and related artwork to Charleston for its annual event.

With more than 70 tables of reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, birds and exotic plants, organizers like Hunter Armstead hope to educate the public on proper care and appreciation of these unique pets.

“If you give people the chance to experience and learn something new, it’s interesting to see how they slowly open up to these types of animals that normally they may be afraid of,” Armstead said.

Armstead said keeping pets is an altruistic act that can be emotionally helpful for people.

“It really is emotionally helpful for a lot of different people, to have something that is accepting of them,” Armstead said. “It’s just a relationship where they take care of that animal, they make sure the animal is happy and well fed and well housed, and it can be therapeutic.”

While pets can make a great addition to the home, Armstead cautioned against bringing home a new pet without doing proper research.

“It’s just important for them to remember that if they are going to bring a new pet home, they need to do research on that pet before they bring it home,” Armstead said. “This can be done by talking to any of the experts at our show…and our guests will have the best success keeping a new pet.”

The expo will be located in the Wilson Student Union at West Virginia State University in Institute, West Virginia. Tickets are $5 per adult and free for kids under 10.