By: Amanda Miller, Contributing Writer
Photos courtesy of Leah Miller

The CF Exotic Pet Expo sweeps over The Grounds on Cody Road approximately every six months, and the two most recent weekends were held on September 28-29, 2024 and March 8-9, 2025. These expos showcase a collection of unique animals for purchase or simple observation, and the animals come from breeders from multiple Southern states. Admission is $10 per adult and free for children twelve and under, so it is an affordable and easily accessible way for Mobilians to explore a miniature zoo.

The expo is primarily geared towards prospective pet owners; breeders plan well in advance for the event and often have contacts and/or recommendations for other breeders in the area. It caters especially to reptile lovers: snakes and geckos are abundant and divided by morph, which is a term for their pattern and coloring. Those with a preference for mammals are not left out, though—there are plenty of pets like birds, mice, rats, hamsters, and puppies. There are also chinchillas, axolotls, and sugar gliders. Many breeders offer starter packs that, while not ideal long-term homes for their animals, can help the critters get home safely and ensure they are well-fed. Additional stands have long-term enclosures, cage decor, feeder bugs, specialized treats, or live plants for sale to enrich animals’ living spaces. 

For every patron searching for a pet, there are multiple others who treat the expo like a miniature zoo. A few breeders let patrons hold their animals—a few stands have large snakes and one has parakeets. Some stands have animals for interaction only: a baby kangaroo encounter and a monkey exhibit allow people to interact directly with their animals. A few non-pet stands cater to these patrons as well. Stickers, car decals, 3-D printed merchandise, and snacks are there for everyone to purchase and enjoy.

The expo is scheduled to return to Mobile on December 5, so all animal lovers should keep their eyes and ears open. The full list of expo dates and locations can be found on the CF Exotic Pet Show website. Be prepared to adopt responsibly!