Reptile Expo Tucson Guide: Shows, Dates, Tips and What to Bring

Looking for a reptile expo in Tucson? This reptile expo Tucson guide covers the two main shows. The Tucson Reptile and Amphibian Show and Sale ran in October 2026 at the Pima County Fairgrounds. The Reptilian Nation Expo came to the Tucson Expo Center in March 2026. Neither has posted 2027 dates yet. Coming up sooner: the Phoenix Reptile Expo in Mesa, November 21 to 22, 2026.

Below you'll find the dates, tickets, rules and a few tips for your first show. We checked every date on the organizers' sites on October 16, 2026. Need feeders for a new snake? See Where to Buy Feeder Rats in Tucson.

The shows at a glance

Checked October 16, 2026. Dates and prices change, so confirm with each organizer before you go.

When is the next reptile show in Tucson?

As of October 16, 2026, neither Tucson show has posted 2027 dates.

• The Tucson Reptile and Amphibian Show ran on October 3 and 4, 2026 (show site). Watch its site for 2027.
• The Reptilian Nation Expo site lists a Tucson menu but no Tucson dates right now (Reptilian Nation). Its last Tucson show was March 21 and 22, 2026 (Tucson Expo Center).

Can't wait? The Phoenix Reptile Expo in Mesa runs November 21 and 22, 2026. Mesa is a long drive from Tucson, so plan for it.

We'll update this page when new dates post.

Tucson Reptile and Amphibian Show and Sale

This is the big fall show in town, held in October in 2026. Here's what the organizer's event page says for 2026:

• Where: Pima County Fairgrounds, Old Pueblo Hall, 11300 S. Houghton Rd. It's indoors.
• Hours (2026): Saturday 9:30 to 5:00, Sunday 10:00 to 4:00.
• Tickets (2026): Adults $15. Kids 6 to 12 $5. Kids 5 and under free. One ticket covers both days.
• Payment: "Cash Only, Please pay at the door." The site says most vendors take other forms of payment.
• Parking: Pima County charges for parking at the Fairgrounds.
• Discount: Military discount with ID.
• Animals: The show says outside animals aren't permitted. Leave your own reptiles at home.
• Questions: The show lists 520-808-2192.

The show also has a supervised reptile petting zoo for kids and adults. And it lists feeding supplies among its vendor types.

Reptilian Nation Expo Tucson

This touring expo stopped in Tucson in the spring. Here are the 2026 details from the Tucson Expo Center:

• Where: Tucson Expo Center, 3750 E. Irvington Road.
• When (2026): March 21 and 22.
• Hours (2026): Saturday 10am to 6pm, with VIP entry at 9am. Sunday 10am to 5pm.
• Tickets (2026): $20, online or at the door.
• Animals: Outside animals aren't allowed.

No 2027 Tucson date is listed yet. Check the Reptilian Nation site for updates.

Phoenix-area shows

The Phoenix Reptile Expo calls itself "the largest reptile show in Arizona."

• When: November 21 and 22, 2026.
• Where: Mesa Convention Center.
• Hours: Saturday 10am to 5pm. Sunday 11am to 5pm.
• Tickets: $15 adults, $5 children. Free parking.

Want something closer and free? The Tucson Herpetological Society says its meetings are "free and open to the public." It's a good way to meet local keepers between shows.

Tips for your first reptile show

A show is a lot of fun. It's also easy to buy on impulse. These tips help.

Before you go

• Bring cash. The Tucson show takes cash only at the door.
• Plan for parking. The Fairgrounds charges for it.
• Leave your pets at home. Both Tucson shows say outside animals aren't allowed. Check the rules for any other show.
• Set up the enclosure first. Have the heat, hides and water ready before you bring an animal home.

At the show

• Ask the seller questions. What does the snake eat now? Live or frozen? What size, and when was its last meal? Write it down.
• Know the native reptile rule. The Tucson show warns that selling Arizona's native reptiles, or keeping exotic venomous reptiles, is illegal in Arizona without a special permit.

On the way home

• Go straight home. Never leave an animal in a parked car. Arizona's cruelty law makes it a crime to leave an animal shut in a car when injury or death is likely (A.R.S. 13-2910). The National Weather Service saw a car reach 94.3°F in a little over 2 minutes (NWS).
• Keep the container closed and level. A loose snake in a car is a bad day for everyone.

Feeding your new snake after the show

You got your snake home. Now what does it eat?

Start with what the seller told you. Match the food type and size if you can. Keep the first weeks calm and quiet.

Then plan ahead:

• Pick the right size. Many keepers aim for a feeder about 10% of the snake's weight. Weigh your snake, then use the feeder size guide.
• Set a schedule. For ball pythons, see How Often to Feed a Ball Python. For sizes by weight, see What Size Rat for a Ball Python?
• Don't panic over a skipped meal. New snakes sometimes refuse food. Read Why Won't My Ball Python Eat?
• Line up a feeder source. Frozen works well for lots of snakes. If yours eats live, find a local source before you run out. Our guide to where to buy feeder rats in Tucson compares the options.

Mike breeds live feeder rats and mice in the Tucson area. His mice start at Hopper (7 to 12 grams). His rats start at Small (45 to 85 grams) and go up to Jumbo. See the live feeder mice and live feeder rats pages for every size. Sold as feeders, not pets.

New snake from the show? Get batch alerts, and Mike will email you when a new batch is ready. Or call or text Mike at (520) 451-4380 with your snake's weight.

Got a new snake? Talk to Mike

The show is one weekend. Feeding goes on for years. Mike breeds live feeder rats and mice right here in the Tucson area, and he replies the same day.

Call or text Mike at (520) 451-4380. Not ready yet? Get batch alerts.