Florida People

[beanersmysav]

Hey, I'm going to Florida next month for about a week by car of course since I hate planes and I've been on 16 thats more than enough. My next plane ride is going to be overseas someplace exotic where I can see a ton of rare herps :).

Anyways I was wondering what are some good pet stores or breeders to check out in the Miami, Orlando, Ocala, and Melbourne areas? I have family in all those places... I want to visit the Loves for sure to see some of their corns. But I want to scope out all the herpers in Florida that I can since there aren't any around here really.

Also are there any good spots to go check out reptiles? Zoos etc? And especially places (hot spots) where you can see them in the wild possibly watch them do their thing without bars or glass in the way?

Thanks for any of you taking time to reply. I know this is a heavily populated Canadian site but I know there's some Floridians on here too :)

[Rikki]

Take Care while your out there :)

[Lioness]

well..im from FL..but im not sure of many breeders yet..im still doing my research on the same matters..lol thats pretty pathetic i know.
but i do know that there are a few good shows down here in March..in West Palm Beach..and well im sure u've heard of the Daytona show..that will also be coming up soon. either way..u can do a search on a search engine..and u might come up with some cool spot of natural or controlled herping. Good Luck!
ps. let me know if u find anything in Miami ;)

[KrokadilyanGuy3]

Blasted tourists!

Incredible pets is a decent pet store in the Melbourne area and the Brevard Zoo isn't too bad. Just got back from there today actually. If you are in south Miami, be sure to stop off at the Crocodile Out Post and the Crocodile Farm, tell Julio Zane sent ya'. These are right next to the 'Glades entrance so you can't miss it.

As for Ocala, we have nothing special except maybe Silver Springs. Great selection of crocodilians. If you stop by, we could maybe hook up and try our hand at herping the Ocala National Forest, but here in north/Central Fla herping is pretty seasonal so I wouldn't expect too much.

Other than that, I can maybe con Bartlett into showing us some nice spots or Maybe Julio if I'm in Miami at the same time as you.
Zane

[ohh_kristina]

A breeder to check out is Ophiological Services. They are in Archer, FL - which is the Gainsville area. I got my Brazilian Rainbow Boa from them and am very happy with her. They have a nice facility.

www.ophioservices.com

[beanersmysav]

Lioness - If I find anything in Miami I'll let ya know. I haven't talked to any of my family to see if they knew anything in the area which I do have alot of family in the area but they are all rich stuck up people who own nothing but a couple of siamese cats. Waste of money in my oppinion :P but I'm sure they say that about my reptiles.

Zane- Thanks for all that info, and I'll probably be headed there in February and a couple of times this summer so I'll definatly let you know when I head down there. As for the tourist part I'm only semi tourist I've lived in Sarasota, Englewood, and Port Charolete. It was probably 8 years ago and I was stupid for moving back to New York.

And Kristina thanks for the info as well. I was really looking for some good snake breeders there :)

[CraigC]

Well, if you are coming down to the Miami area there are several locations for Everglades wildlife. Most are west of Miami proper and extend north and west into Broward and Collier counties.

Everglades National park which has it's main enterance in Homestead as well as Shark River which is west on the Tamiami Trail (US41) around the 40 Mile bend.

One of my favorites is the Fakahatchee Strand which is off L29, just south of Alligator Alley (I-75) You never know what you will see. It is a dirt road that meanders through a Cypress swamp with patches of dry ground and is called Jayne's Scenic Drive.

Turner River Road which is entered from The Tamiami Trail and enters into the Big Cypress National Preserve just north of Alligator Alley.

These are just a few. Unfortuneately, as far as being able to visit breeders, most don't allow folks to visit their facilities.

CraigC