The Alberta Reptile and Amphibian Society - TARAS

26/08/2024

26/08/2024

Meet the team!

We all know and love him - Jason Clevett - Board Director of The Alberta Reptile and Amphibian Society.

Busines Calgary Reptile Parties & YYC Nature & Education Centre
Business handle for ig/facebook (if applicable) Same as above
What reptiles do you work with? Our educational ambassadors include common animals like ball pythons and leopard geckos and rarer animals like Fiji Banded Iguanas, False Water Cobras and Pancake Tortoises.
Name of your most loved pet and species: Don’t make me do that.
Favourite song and who it’s by? It’s My Life by Bon Jovi
Who are you? In a few sentences. Jason has been part of TARAS for 17 years and a board member off and on for 6 of those years. He is a past President and Vice President and currently sits as a general board member. He has been educating people in Alberta and across Canada about exotic animals since 2008.

26/08/2024

Vendor Spotlight!

"Big D Exotics Ltd celebrating our 26th year producing exceptional quality and extremely unique morphs of boas, ball pythons, blood pythons, Kenyan sand boas and leopard geckos."



Get your snake fix October 19 + 20 at the Calgary Reptile Expo!

26/08/2024

25/08/2024

4 Mexican Black Kingsnakes
16 Creamsicle Stripe Cornsnakes
Packed up to get their genders confirmed!
Most have had 3 meals frozen/thawed!
Will be listed today or tomorrow!

24/08/2024

Creature Feature!! 🐍

Today we’re looking at the Ringneck snake! These colubrids are named after the ring that presents around their neck - but can also be identified by the beautiful gradient of color on their underbellies which they’ll present when threatened to try ward away predators.

Secretive, fossorial harmless, these guys feed off of earth worms, slugs and salamanders, and can be found around the United States, Ontario and Quebec!

23/08/2024

The Alberta Reptile and Amphibian Society (TARAS) is back and excited to open applications for the Fall 2024 Calgary Reptile Expo on October 19-20 2024. You’re invited to apply to become a vendor! Space is limited and typically sells out fairly fast.

2024 Fall Calgary Reptile Expo (C.R.E)
Hosted by: The Alberta Reptile and Amphibian Society (TARAS)
The Genesis Centre (feature gym, same space we were in fall 2023)
7555 Falconridge Blvd NE, Calgary
Saturday Oct 19 9am-5pm | Sunday October 20 10am-4pm

Please allow 1-2 weeks for processing. You will receive an invoice to pay your table fees if approved. Payment must be made within 14 days. TARAS is waiving the 3% convenience fee for all credit cards this expo, and of course EMT will still be an option.

In an effort to keep all information in a singular place, we will keep attachments to a minimum going forward. You’ll now find the application form, Table fees, links to become a TARAS member plus all current and relevant info about the expo including show poster, Terms and Conditions, Vet Inspections Forms, etc,, found here: https://linktr.ee/calgaryreptileexpo

This event is hosted exclusively by The Alberta Reptile and Amphibian Society (TARAS).

100% of the profits are used to fund community endeavors, including Scholarships at the UofC and other programs.

If you would like to join our general meetings and operations, please do so. (Members will receive email invites)

If you have any concerns about how we host our events, operations, decision making, or wish to point out issues with other vendors or individuals and their practices, please reach out to us directly and privately. – We will not engage in online public discussions on social media, as it is open to far too much interpretation, misunderstanding and hurt feelings.

We are happy to speak with you in person or via phone for a reasonable conversation. We will listen to your feedback whether you’re a member or not! However, please understand all opinions, concerns and advice is taken under consideration, and we ask that you be respectful of our final decisions.

We are all passionate about animals, especially reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. There is enough pressure from outside organizations and bad players that jeopardize the hobby to fill everyone’s boots. We can respectfully disagree with each other’s opinions and practices. However please try to elevate the community in a respectful way.

All expo issues, concerns, recommendations or support can be sent to [email protected]

Anything to do with TARAS operations can be sent to [email protected]

Thank You

On Behalf of The Alberta Reptile and Amphibian Society

20/08/2024

🐸ANNOUNCEMENT🐸

TARAS presents the Calgary Reptile Expo at the Genesis Center - October 19 + 20!

Save the date and stay tuned! Registration opens soon.

19/08/2024

Meet the team!

Amanda West is new to the board as a Director this year at TARAS - and also happens to run the social media!

Business -
Works with - Giant anoles, ball pythons, king and rat snakes, whites, cuban tree and dart frogs, New Caledonian geckos, bearded dragons, skins, and basically anything else that needs/rescue or a home.
Most beloved pet - Haku the Cuban Knight Anole
Favourite song - Cardinals by The Wonder Years

17/08/2024

Support your local small sellers ❤️🐸

16/08/2024

Make sure you stop by the .alberta this weekend and show your support to all the fabulous vendors!

16/08/2024

This week’s creature feature showcases the Jeypore Indian Gecko - also known as the Jeypore Ground gecko.
This species was thought to be extinct for a whole 135 years!
Rediscovered in 2010 - this species now faces extinction due to loss of habitat and dwindling human interest in their protection.

Did you know - 19% of the world’s reptiles face extinction due to habitat loss? This is why us humans need to continue to evaluate our ecological footprint, and remember to share our beloved planet with the other life forms that call it home too.

15/08/2024

🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🐍

15/08/2024

Want to help global conservation efforts in Florida from the comfort of your couch? Help identify the elusive Indigo Snake!

““I’ve had the pleasure of working with snakes for over 10 years and have never met a more impressive one than the eastern indigo snake. They are calm but active, gentle but still tough. Scientists have experimented with different techniques to locate eastern indigo snakes in the wild, but because of their secretive nature, it takes a lot of work! Trail cameras have shown us that we can keep an eye on the snakes that we’ve reintroduced while avoiding disturbance. This will help to determine the success of our reintroduction efforts and better inform future decision making.” - Michelle Hoffman, Field Biologist, Central Florida Zoo’s Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation”

Learn about the indigo snake watch here: https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/fwc/indigo-snake-watch?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=campaign

14/08/2024

Happy world lizard day!! 🦎🦎🦎

13/08/2024

Are you a reptile lover? Well, we have the snakes for you! 🐍

Meet Ripple! Ripple is a ball python that has been up for adoption for over 120 days. Ripple is a friendly snake who is comfortable being handled. Their favorite food is frozen mice, and they are often seen curled up under their rock fort 🗻.

Ripple would do best in a home with an experienced reptile owner or an adopter who has done lots of research 💻. The perfect home for Ripple includes a large enclosure with space for a basking spot, an area to cool off, plenty of enrichment and things to climb, the right humidity, and a UV light 💡. Our adoption team would be happy to go over other snake care needs and recommendations.

We currently have 6 snakes up for adoption. Book an appointment or visit us as a walk in today! https://www.calgaryhumane.ca/animals/animal-listings/exotic-listings/?id=2000107512

12/08/2024

Bio-active reptile supplies. Come check us out at 228 12C street north lethbridge. Side access up the stairs. We have tanks, hides, lighting, accessories!!

12/08/2024

Meet the team!

Mr. Cody Faulds - Vice president and interim secretary of the Alberta Reptile and amphibian Society.

Works with: a variety of boas, pythons and colubrids, Pilbara rock monitors, box turtles, tortoises, pictus and crested geckos, bearded dragons and arachnids.
Most beloved pet: Rocky the normal Boa.

“I first started volunteering and attending meetings with Taras over 15yrs ago. My very first expo was at the Ogden legion hall, so I think I am classified as an old timer now. I moved to Calgary 17 yrs ago and settled down after my first purchase of a corn snake which promptly got me hooked on reptiles.”

11/08/2024

Hello friends!
We are in the process of updating the website and are looking to add a thorough directories of specialty shops (storefronts with hardgoods and feeders but not strictly animals) and exotic veterinarians throughout Alberta!

Please send us a message or comment below with your suggestions!

09/08/2024

Ooooof 🔥🔥🔥

09/08/2024

Creature Feature Alert! The Red Eyed Crocodile Skink!

These guys are a relatively small, nocturnal, tropical dwelling species originating in New Guinea. They require a space that’s well monitored with high humidity as they are sensitive to dehydration, and a varied insectivorous diet. They can live up to 10 years in captivity!

Although quick and often elusive, living in the crevices of trees, the spunky personality on these spiny little dudes makes them an absolutely fascinating creature to keep!

Have you got a Red Eyed Crocodile Skink? What’s your favourite thing about these little guys?

06/08/2024

Meet the team!

Chances are - if you’ve been to the reptile expos, you’ve seen him around!
Introducing Garth Paynter - President of The Alberta Reptile and Amphibian Society.

Business - Painted Predators
Works with - Kingsnakes, Milksnakes and Cornsnakes
Most beloved pet - Madness the Jaguar Carpet Python
Favourite song - “Big Bad John” by Jimmy Dean

“I am a passionate reptile keeper, who wants to see our community thrive. I believe Advocacy, Conservation, and Education is important for the community and our ecosystems.”

05/08/2024

What type of frog are YOU looking at?

🐸🐸🐸

04/08/2024

It’s all part of the plan….. 🐍🐍🐍

02/08/2024

Happy long weekend all! 🦎

02/08/2024

Children’s python over here.

Also if you also need to google like I did - Tooheys is an Australian lager and Snags are Aussie sausages. The more ya know!