Influencers
Eric Evangelista
Keynote Speaker
Eric Evangelista has been creating and developing programming for over
30 years in every genre. He is the CEO and Founder of E4 Content Group
which owns reality TV powerhouse Hot Snakes Media and, along with
wildlife biologist Forrest Galante, wildlife content studio Phantasticus
Pictures. In the past four years Eric Evangelista has sold over $100
million worth of content including the true crime hit The Curious Case
of Natalia Grace on ID and streaming on MAX, 11 seasons of TLC’s hit
franchise Breaking Amish, four seasons of the the highest rated episodes
of Shark Week, and the critically acclaimed Deaf U streaming on Netflix.
Paul Cuffaro
Hi, I'm Paul Cuffaro, a 23-year-old who loves creating content for the world to see! Documenting my life on a farm with over 50 animals & lots of crazy fish, ponds, and aquariums!! Can't wait to meet you all at Animal Con!
Forrest Galante - Animal Planet
Meet Forrest, an American outdoor adventurer, television personality, and conservationist. He works in the field of wildlife biology, specializing in the exploration of animals on the brink of extinction. He is the host of the television shows "Extinct or Alive" on Animal Planet and "Mysterious Creatures with Forrest Galante" as well as multiple shark week shows.
Dingo Dinkelman
Meet Dingo Dinkelman; a South African conservationist whose passion and enthusiasm for wildlife has reached hundreds of millions of people around the world. His excitement and child-like wonder when working with some of the deadliest and most dangerous animals on the planet, will keep you on the edge of your seat as he draws you into the adventure with him! From surviving the bite of a Black Mamba, to almost dying on a wildlife documentary in South America, nothing has been able to dampen his passion for the very animals he has dedicated his life to save.
His wife Kirsty and three kids, TJ, Maddy and Rex are also part of the adventure and they travel the world with him, encountering some of the greatest animals found on our planet.
They are currently building a zoological facility in South Africa to set a new standard in how captive animals should be kept, both on the African continent and around the rest of the world.
His wife Kirsty and three kids, TJ, Maddy and Rex are also part of the adventure and they travel the world with him, encountering some of the greatest animals found on our planet.
They are currently building a zoological facility in South Africa to set a new standard in how captive animals should be kept, both on the African continent and around the rest of the world.
Adrian Kozakiewicz - Insecthaus®
Adrian Kozakiewicz is the founder of Insecthaus®, a pioneering venture focused on sustainable insect-based solutions. With a background in Environmental Science and a passion for entomology, Adrian promotes the ecological and nutritional benefits of insects. His innovative approach aims to reduce carbon footprints and foster sustainable food systems, making Insecthaus® a leader in the edible insect movement.
Roly Bracamontes
🦎¡Quiúbole Reptileros!🐍 Meet Roly, a passionate reptile enthusiast and social media influencer from Mexico. With his engaging content, Roly has captivated over 1.74 million followers on YouTube and continues to grow his audience on TikTok and Instagram. His dedication to reptiles and wildlife education shines through in every post, inspiring fans to appreciate and protect these incredible creatures.
Ben Christie - The Urban Rescue Ranch
Ben Christie is the founder of The Urban Rescue Ranch, a nonprofit focused on rescuing and rehabilitating urban animals. Through social media, Ben shares compelling stories and updates, raising awareness and engaging a broad audience in animal welfare. His online presence helps drive support and inspire action, making a tangible difference in the lives of animals and fostering a compassionate community.
Sarah Suta - PBS Eons & Bizarre Beasts
Sarah Suta is the producer of PBS Eons and co-host and producer of Bizarre Beasts on YouTube! After achieving a BS in Biology, a BA in Radio/Television/Film, and a MFA in Science and Natural History Filmmaking, Sarah was lucky enough to find a position at Hank and John Green's company Complexly. Over the last 7 years she has worked on projects from SciShow to Animal Wonders to Study Hall and she is so excited she gets to share her passion for science education with the rest of the world. And yes, she does want to hear your weird animal facts, see your pets, and see all your cool pins.
On Bizarre Beasts hosts Hank Green and Sarah Suta explore what makes some animals seem so weird to us. From birds whose babies have claws on their wings, to frogs that can't land their own jumps, the show examines the how and why of some of the world's most amazingly strange critters.
Tyler Nolan
Meet Tyler, an avid reptile keeper and famous for his love of venomous reptiles. Also, he is a Tattoo artist best known for competing in the sixth season of Spike's reality series Ink Master.
Chandler Kamenesh
Meet Chandler Kamenesh, a wildlife enthusiast and animal educator renowned for his expertise in handling reptiles, especially venomous snakes. He has gained popularity through his captivating content that promotes wildlife conservation.
Brett Raymer - Animal Planet's Tanked
Meet Brett, a reality television star of Animal Planet's Tanked. He is the COO of Acrylic Tank Manufacturing. He has built some of the world's largest aquariums.
Blakes Exotics Animal Ranch
Meet Blake Kaldirimoglu, a social media influencer, and owner of Blakes Animal Ranch located in Southwest Ranches, Florida! Blake dedicates his life to caring for, rescuing, and educating others about a large variety of exotic and rare animals.
JAYPREHISTORICPETS
Prehistoric Pets
Meet Jay, the proprietor of Prehistoric Pets and owner of The Reptile Zoo. Jay is always chasing the dream, with a passion to bring educating followers about the world of animals through creating inspiring content and hands-on interaction.
Dayyan Saylany- Reptiliatus
Reptiliatus offers viewers an inside look into herpetoculture through the lens of a passionate, enthusiastic hobbyist. Dayyan shares his experience keeping and breeding everything from reptiles and amphibians to invertebrates, covering a wide variety of fascinating species. He'll teach you everything from how to set up a bioactive terrarium - to how to raise tadpoles into froglets! All in all, Reptiliatus is both educational and entertaining - with its focus being on providing the best care possible and cultivating enrichment practices for these amazing animals!
Emma Lock - Emzotic
Best known for her award-winning 'Creature Feature' series on YouTube, Em is a Digital Animal Educator, and Zoological Specialist. She's also known for her role as 'Kim' in the cult horror classic, 'The Human Centipede', and is the author of the number 1 best-selling book, 'Animal Kind'. Em is currently based out of Colorado, where she runs Emzotic, is an ambassador for Domestic Violence awareness, sits on the Board of Advisors for 'The Biodiversity Group', is the VP of sales and marketing for Zen Habitats UK, and is developing her range of products to help serve her community of exotic pet enthusiasts, 'The Creature Crew'.
Tyler Rugge
Meet Tyler, a YouTube vlogger whose self-titled channel is dedicated to all things animal-related and keeper of a variety of pets. He has an affinity for animals, namely reptiles and he has a separate Instagram account for his gecko breeding.
Maddie Smith
Meet Maddie an animal-lover, who has built an audience on her self-titled YouTube creating videos about her many varied pets. A wildlife rehabilitator, she specializes in rehabilitating domestic reptiles, though her videos cover dog care, cat care, and bird care as well. She began keeping animals as a child and later began volunteering at a no-kill shelter at the age of twelve.
Kevin McCurley - New England Reptile
Kevin McCurley is the mastermind behind New England Reptile Distributors and has been working with animals such as ball pythons, reticulated pythons, and monitor lizards since the 90s. In addition to being on the front lines of the creation of new morph combinations, he is also an author of books such as "The Complete Ball Python, A Comprehensive Guide To Care, Breeding, And Genetic Mutations" and is an avid proponent of USARK and our legislative rights as animal keepers and enthusiasts. You can find him sharing his passion for animals and wealth of knowledge on the NERD youtube channel and his Instagram account @evilmorphgod.
Benny Singh - Bionic Benny
I've had a passion for reptiles and fish my whole life. I chose to become a animal influencer after I was in a life changing accident in 2020 were I became permanently disabled with multiple injuries one being a above knee Amputation to my right leg ! Since having a second chance at life From that point I chose to dedicate the rest of my life to what I truly love my passion and love of Reptiles and Fish!
Dāv Kaufman's Reptile Adventures
Dāv Kaufman is a film producer and author and travels the world filming for his three Youtube Channels. He also is an ardent conservationist and reptile breeder. He holds a BA in History and Media Studies where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. Although his films have won over a dozen awards and have been globally released through Lion's Gate, he now is a full time Content Creator where he uses his platforms to introduce his audience to a world few have seen. At the same time, entertaining and educating his audience about all animals from common reptile pets and how they are living in the wild on Dāv Kaufman's Reptile Adventures to animal caregivers and keepers of exotics on Dāv Kaufman's Animal Adventures. He currently lives just outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Chris and Casey Leone
Garden State Tortoise
Meet Chris and Casey Leone of Garden State Tortoise. Chris is a herpetologist, and has worked with turtles and tortoises for 30 years. He also conducts studies on native NJ reptiles in the field. Casey, a former zookeeper and animal trainer runs the Terrapin Conservation Initiative to save wild Diamondback terrapins. Together they operate Garden State Tortoise which acts as a breeding facility, rescue and permanent home to many reptiles. On their YouTube channel, Chris and Casey bring an exciting dynamic to the animal community by sharing their experiences and knowledge as a family. The Leones aim to unite conservation and preservation efforts, through educating their viewers, that both are needed to truly save them from extinction.
Rodrigo & Lisa Rojas- Predatory Fins
Meet Rod, founder of Predatory Fins, who specializes in rare, exotic, and monster freshwater fish. Rod shares giant monster fish and the rarest exotic fish in the world on their YouTube channel. Predatory Fins have also been able to open a new Rescue Conservatory for unwanted or abandoned fish.
Savannah Boan
Savannah Boan, Gatorland's Crocodilian Enrichment Coordinator and International Ambassador for Gatorland Global Conservation is dedicated to teaching people about the incredible behavior, anatomy, and ecology of some of the world's most feared creatures. Through groundbreaking content for Gatorland's worldwide social media, she is changing the villainous perception of alligators and crocodiles to create respect for the animals and the world in which they live.
A Marine Corps veteran with over twenty-five years of public entertainment experience, Savannah has a special passion for alligators and crocodiles. She is a member of the IUCN Crocodile Specialist Group, a TED TALK alumnus, and an advocate for Florida wildlife and conservation with a large following of fans and friends the world over. She has a pet Black Throat monitor named Pork Chop and an alligator sidekick named Jaws. Savannah has worked with crocodiles and reptiles from Cuba, Australia, Jamaica, and more. Early in her career, Savannah also worked at a Reptile Zoo in Orange County, California, where she appeared on The Tonight Show and Good Day L.A. with a world-record 24-foot reticulated python and other gigantic reptiles.
"Although I have loved alligators, crocodiles, and other reptiles my entire life, it was a dream come true to work at Gatorland," says Savannah. "Gatorland is the world's leader in alligator safety and education, and with all the incredible animals that I get to interact with daily, it is truly a magical place."
Savannah shares her love and passion for alligators and crocodiles every day, whether here at Gatorland, during her travels to other countries for conservation, through her appearances on iHeartRadio, and to millions of followers on social media. She is showing the world a wonderous side of these mysterious creatures that they never knew before.
A Marine Corps veteran with over twenty-five years of public entertainment experience, Savannah has a special passion for alligators and crocodiles. She is a member of the IUCN Crocodile Specialist Group, a TED TALK alumnus, and an advocate for Florida wildlife and conservation with a large following of fans and friends the world over. She has a pet Black Throat monitor named Pork Chop and an alligator sidekick named Jaws. Savannah has worked with crocodiles and reptiles from Cuba, Australia, Jamaica, and more. Early in her career, Savannah also worked at a Reptile Zoo in Orange County, California, where she appeared on The Tonight Show and Good Day L.A. with a world-record 24-foot reticulated python and other gigantic reptiles.
"Although I have loved alligators, crocodiles, and other reptiles my entire life, it was a dream come true to work at Gatorland," says Savannah. "Gatorland is the world's leader in alligator safety and education, and with all the incredible animals that I get to interact with daily, it is truly a magical place."
Savannah shares her love and passion for alligators and crocodiles every day, whether here at Gatorland, during her travels to other countries for conservation, through her appearances on iHeartRadio, and to millions of followers on social media. She is showing the world a wonderous side of these mysterious creatures that they never knew before.
Will Nace
My name is Will Nace, and I have been working with animals for over 25 years. My first job was in a saltwater fish store. Since then, I moved on to working with larger animals, from big cats to alligators and venomous snakes. I got my venomous permit a little over ten years ago, and within the last five years have shifted the trajectory; from hobby to YouTuber to opening a facility with my family. I started building vivariums at the beginning of 2020 and haven't stopped. From vivariums, I discovered paludariums, and aquascaping shortly after. I love being able to bring an element of nature into your home or setting where it is usually overlooked. It is a relaxing hobby, and are the best setups to house your animals in. It is more naturalistic and appealing for the viewer and the animal.
Corbin Maxey
Corbin Maxey is a nationally recognized animal expert, YouTuber, and
television personality. He is most notable from his YouTube and TikTok
channels, where his videos have been seen over 2 BILLION times. He also
is known from numerous appearances on "The Today Show", "Late
Night with Seth Meyers", "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno", and
"Inside Edition".
He currently cares for over 30+ rescued exotic animals including two alligators, pythons, snapping turtles, and an emu!
Aaron and Archer
Meet Aaron Tucker, a retired firefighter paramedic, police officer, tactical medic, and cadaver K9 handler with over 2 decades of real-world experience. Aaron is often a guest speaker at K-9 training schools for his experience and knowledge in the field of emergency K-9 care. He lives in Florida with his service dog Archer.
Aaron Louis - Gigi The Dog
Hello, my name is Aaron Michael Louis. I am the assistant to the diva
herself GiGi. I am bully breed ambassador that has built a community for
misunderstood breeds. We have grown around the country and now work with
local rescue, shelters and more.
Aaron Saulino - Aaronexotic
My name is Aaron Saulino aka Aaronexotic and I was born and raised in a little bayou town called Lafitte outside of New Orleans, Louisiana. My love for animals began as a kid collecting alligator eggs in the marsh and watching them hatch. I love catching wild reptiles and creating content for people around the world to see.
Ada Gamez
Meet Ada, better known as repti_fairy on Instagram and TikTok. Ada is
a a reptile keeper that creates content about her reptiles and their
life with her. Ada is also an artist and has created another account as
@adahfairy.art, in which she shares her passion for making art by
combining her love for fairies and animals and creating amazing
paintings. Ada enjoys sharing her journey as a reptile keeper and
artist.
Aleah Lynn - CatAleah
CatAleah shares her passion for animals with the world by creating content about the snakes and other animals she relocates and rescues in Texas! She also creates videos on her farm called CatAleah's Critters where she has her pet deer and farm animals, and her animal building full of all kinds of reptiles like her geckos, snakes, and exotic critters like her opossums and sugar gliders. Her mission is to create more empathy for the misunderstood critters like the snakes that she relocates and hopefully at the same time bring a little more light and happiness into the world by showing just how adorable and fascinating these animals can be!
Alex Gastelum - Tarantula Haven
Hello! I'm Alex and I am dedicated my channel to my love of tarantulas. I mostly post things about tarantulas but I also post about other animals and ideas related to tarantula keeping. I am also into photography and photographing my tarantulas.
Alex McDuffie
Hey! I'm Alex McDuffie aka "Duff" I am a SFWMD Python Removal contractor and an all around snake/reptile lover! I've been involved in the animal world for quite some time, but in the last 3 years I've really taken it to another level. Since moving to Florida I've made some incredible friendships and connections that will last a lifetime.
Alex - Leafy Street
Hi I'm Alex. I share a bedroom with my 20 reptiles, but my landlord
thinks I have a fish. I've been keeping animals since before I could do
long division (worth noting I still can't do long division). If you see
me, come say what's up!
Amanda Foley
Owner of Amanda's Exotic Animals, educator and tiktok/YouTube
influencer. From caring for your average leopard gecko to catching wild
nuisance gators, Amanda shows her love for all species. Amanda is
passionate about proper care for our exotic pets as well as eliminating
fear and stigma surrounding reptiles. She uses positive interactions and
educational videos to show gentle nature of many exotics and the
importance of conservation.
Andy Gabbs
Hey Everyone! Meet Andy Gabbard, better known as Andy Gabbs. Andy developed a passion for animals when he was just six years old, 18 years later that passion lead Andy to create a YouTube channel to share his love for reptiles, and all animals alike with people all over the world. He has been running his channel for four years, and is still sharing his love and passion for animals of all kind!
Since starting his content creation journey, Andy has been on some epic adventures, with even more amazing animals and people like Brian Barczyk, Jay Brewer, Kevin McCurley, Paul Cuffaro, and more.
Andy recently separated from the US Navy after 10 years of service, and is just now starting to build his animal collection, and one day plans on opening a Reptile Zoo of his own. I can't wait to meet you all at Animal Con USA!!
AntsCanada
Meet Mikey, the host of the popular YouTube channel - AntsCanada. He believes that "ants are the most amazing creatures on the planet" and shares his ant farm and love of keeping ants with his followers.
Ariana Christoforou
Meet Ariana Elena Christoforou, an extraordinary eight-year-old with a
passion for reptiles that is larger than life itself. Ariana's journey
with these fascinating creatures started at the tender age of two when
her father introduced her to her first pet - a corn snake. Her love for
reptiles, fostered by her dad's own enthusiasm for green tree pythons,
Amazon basins, and Boelens pythons, has been growing ever since.
Today, Ariana maintains an impressive collection of about 10 ball pythons, including her beloved Bananhick, a Banana Clown, and Nicki Minaj, a Banana Pastel Het Clown. At the age of six, Ariana demonstrated her expertise in breeding by successfully pairing and incubating these two, earning her the title #Her1BallPythonCoachAt6YearsOld. Recently, she celebrated her second clutch of ball pythons, showcasing her incredible commitment and dedication to her slithery friends.
However, Ariana's interests extend beyond her scaly companions. An athlete at heart, she devotes herself to gymnastics, her primary passion, and hones her physical abilities with CrossFit twice a week. Ariana also explores her creative side through cheerleading, chorus, and art, and has just begun her journey in aerial silks.
Amidst all her hobbies, Ariana cherishes her time with her little brother Maximus, who at four years old, shares many adventures with her. But the true essence of Ariana's mission lies in her determination to transform the world's perception of snakes, shattering the myths and showing the world that snakes are as enchanting as any other pet.
Join Ariana on her captivating journey on Instagram @SnakeMasterExotics, where she shares her love for reptiles, her athletic feats, and her heartfelt moments with Maximus. Ariana is not just an eight-year-old girl; she's a friend to reptiles, an aspiring athlete, and a champion for change in the perception of snakes.
Bob Bledsoe - Green Room Pythons
Bob Bledsoe - Green Room PythonsBob Bledsoe is a comedian/actor with a
passion for reptiles and a lifetime of experience with them. His YouTube
channel, "Green Room Pythons" has quickly gained a large following in
just a few years. It mixes valuable information with a bit of comedy.
Bob focuses on care and behavior, as well as helping people get over
their fear of snakes. He's traveled to the Amazon jungle twice in the
last year to work with some boa species in the wild. Those international
herping videos are becoming popular, which is increasing the chance of
Bob joining a local tribe somewhere, never to be seen again. Come see
him while there's still time!
Brian Braitsch
Brian Braitsch is a passionate wildlife advocate and the Founder/CEO
of Amazing Animals Inc., a renowned wildlife preserve. With over two
decades of experience in the zoological industry, Brian has dedicated
his life to inspiring conservation efforts and educating the public
about the wonders of the animal kingdom.
Carlos Mercado - Spidey
My name is Carlos, also known as Spidey on social media. I was born and raised in Puerto Rico and currently reside in South Florida. My love for reptiles began with my almost 6 foot Asian Water Monitor Scorpion. I love the adrenaline from catching wild reptiles and love creating content showing people my passion for all animals
Cheyenne Glass
Meet Cheyenne
She's a dragon mom known for her viral Black Dragons Kayda and Killua. She's had a passion for animals since she was a child and when she was 3 years old her mother gave her a ball python and a tarantula. She shares her experience on what it's like keeping Black Dragons as a new keeper. Cheyenne has a unique way of educating her following on how people can relate to reptiles by showing Kayda and Killuas different personalities. Although people mainly see Cheyenne, keeping Kayda and Killua is a 2 man job! While Cheyenne educates on how to socialize with K&K her husband Johnny is behind the scenes building partnerships with other monitors keepers, teaching long term monitor care, putting K&K content together and helping people decide if a large lizard fits into their lifestyle.
She's a dragon mom known for her viral Black Dragons Kayda and Killua. She's had a passion for animals since she was a child and when she was 3 years old her mother gave her a ball python and a tarantula. She shares her experience on what it's like keeping Black Dragons as a new keeper. Cheyenne has a unique way of educating her following on how people can relate to reptiles by showing Kayda and Killuas different personalities. Although people mainly see Cheyenne, keeping Kayda and Killua is a 2 man job! While Cheyenne educates on how to socialize with K&K her husband Johnny is behind the scenes building partnerships with other monitors keepers, teaching long term monitor care, putting K&K content together and helping people decide if a large lizard fits into their lifestyle.
Christian Cave
My name is Christian Cave, I am 23 years old and an
Environmental
Science student at Kennesaw State University. I started the social
media page "Caveman Wildlife" in 2019, in hopes to educate people
about wildlife much like my inspiration Steve Irwin did for me
growing
up! Today I've been blessed to have traveled seeing incredible
wildlife and meeting amazing people along the way. I hope to
continue
to spread the message of wildlife conservation and getting people
fired up and passionate about wildlife!
Claudius Shropshire
Hello, my name is Claudius "The Snake Father". I have been involved in the reptile hobby since my childhood. I currently showcase reptiles in the entertainment industry as an actor and animal wrangler. I and my snakes have been featured in numerous television programs and music videos amongst some of your favorite celebrities! I strive to raise reptile awareness to the masses through mainstream media.
Clint Laidlaw
Introducing Clint Laidlaw, the reptile lover from Clint's Reptiles!
Armed with a PhD in biology education, Clint's expertise in our crawling
companions is only rivaled by his infectious enthusiasm. Yet, Clint is
more than just knowledgeable – his authenticity and sweetness make him
the ultimate go-to guy for all things reptile.
Inspire Exotics
Hi, I'm Dakota from Inspire Exotics! I am a 21-year-old exotic pet
keeper, content creator, and educator.
My passion is for sharing the beauty of misunderstood animals and educating about how to help these animals thrive through humorous and educational content.
As a certified herpetologist and STEM double-major working in education management, data analysis, and the art field, I work to continually learn about exotic animals to improve my animal husbandry and content. I plan to use my experience to continue improving the lives of both captive and wild exotic animals through education and advocacy.
My passion is for sharing the beauty of misunderstood animals and educating about how to help these animals thrive through humorous and educational content.
As a certified herpetologist and STEM double-major working in education management, data analysis, and the art field, I work to continually learn about exotic animals to improve my animal husbandry and content. I plan to use my experience to continue improving the lives of both captive and wild exotic animals through education and advocacy.
Dan Roselli - Dan The Turtle Man
Hey there! I am DanTheTurtleMan, a wildlife conservationist dedicated to the preservation of some of North America's most iconic turtle and tortoise species. Since a child I have been fascinated by nature, beginning my hobby with tropical fish and aquatics and eventually finding my niche in chelonians (turts and torts). Since then, I have created a YouTube channel dedicated to entertaining and educating new turtle owners on the best ways to keep their pets. Specializing in Diamondback Terrapins, I will not stop working towards the conservation, education, and survival of my favorite animals.
Daenerys MotherOfSpiders
Daenerys MotherOfSpiders has been in the hobby for only 6 years but she's 9 years old. That's more than half her life. Her love for animals started when she was 3 years, when she got her first ball python. From there she got her first tarantula named Tiger Butt and her passion for invertebrates took off. She now has over one thousand spiders in her personal collection, isopods, scorpions, mantises and many reptiles. She's also the youngest tarantula breeder in the United States but she'll tell you that she's not. Daenerys will tell you that the youngest Tarantula breeder in the United States is her 4 year old sister Ellaria, that she gave the name Ellaria the AuntieOfSpiders too. Daenerys has successfully paired Poecilotheria Regalis, Poecilotheria Subfusca Lowland , the Beautiful Typhochlaena Seladonia and many more. She's also breeding Panther Chameleons now and has her very first clutch that she's currently raising. You can find Daenerys MotherOfSpiders on all social media platforms and Reptile Expos across the Untied States. At Reptile expos you'll see Daenerys working double time. You can catch her working for her company at the Daenerys MotherOfSpiders booth or raising money for USARK. She has personally raised over 2 thousand dollars for USARK this summer. When she grows up she wants to either be a full time USARK employee or an exotic animal veterinarian.
Daniel Perez
I am a ZooKeeper at Wild Florida, Reptile Keeper, & Wild Life
enthusiast from
Orlando Fl. My content is all about the animals I work with & others
that I find in the wild. I highlight the training of Crocodilians,
Monitor Lizards, & the care of other reptiles. I am also the social
media assistant for Imperial Reptiles here in Central Florida & host
of the Reptiles with Podcast!
David Utrera - Tikis Geckos
Meet David, an avid reptile hobbyist and breeder. David is the founder and owner of TikisGeckos and is known for his work with New Caledonian gecko species. You can find Tikisgeckos across all social media platforms!
Desiree - Cold Blooded Cafe
Meet Desiree, owner of Cold Blooded Cafe, the frozen feeder company. Supplying exotic animals all over the US, from zoos, to reptile breeders, to the families with pet reptiles. Her passion began along side her late husband Forrest Fanning. Their first snake together was a 13 foot Burmese python! In their early teens, they set off to create a world renowned reptile zoo. Desiree currently works with rare pythons, colubrids, venomous snakes, crocodiles, monitor lizards and has a 4 year old Aldabra tortoise named Luca. She loves traveling to the Amazon Rainforest on animal expeditions. She travels the US for reptile conventions and always finds time for herping. Find her adventures on Instagram and other platforms as Mrsmonitor, where she shares her life as a business woman, reptile ambassador, crocodilian conservationist, and mother.
Dr. Johanna Mejia-Fava
ZooPharmaMama
Co-founder of Animal Necessity, LLC, Dr. Johanna Mejia-Fava, is an esteemed veterinary expert specializing in zoo and aquatic medicine. With over 20 years of experience, she is recognized globally for her research on the benefits of herbal supplements in animals, including companion pets, equine, zoo, and aquatic species. Dr. Jo is passionate about bridging the gap between nature and veterinary science through the lens of ZooPharmaCognosy—the study of how animals instinctively self-medicate in the wild.
Dr. Jo's influence extends beyond her research. She serves as a key veterinary consultant and advisor for Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder (DPMMR), contributing to the development of holistic treatment protocols for geriatric animals. Her groundbreaking research, including the first studies on the use of CBD in marine mammals for ocular discomfort and immune support, further solidifies her position as a leading figure in the field.
Best care practices, Dr. Jo believes, begin with recognizing the importance of ZooPharmaCognosy (ZPC). Derived from the Greek, "Zoo" means all animals, "Pharma" means medicine, and "Cognosy" means knowing. ZPC is the science of how animals instinctively treat themselves medicinally in the wild. The field was formally legitimized in 1987 by Dr. Eloy Rodriguez and his team, including Dr. Jo's mother, Dr. Norma Pestano, after over a decade of research in the Amazon of Peru with Cornell University.
Dr. Jo's proudest and most special moment is being able to be on the veterinarian teams taking care holistically of killer whales around the world.
Elijah Mackey - Adventure Time Eli
Hi, I'm Adventure Time Eli!
I'm a dedicated wildlife and endangered species conservationist. At just
twelve years old, I’ve authored Turtle Tales, a book about turtles,
and I’m currently working on publishing a nature journal to inspire
kids to explore and learn about the natural world. My passion has led me
to partner with organizations like the Virginia Living Museum,
Portsmouth Children's Museum, Virginia Zoo, and I’ve had the privilege
of appearing on Channel 3 News in Virginia and Pennsylvania. Through
social media and community outreach, I strive to make a positive impact
on our planet’s wildlife.
Emarie - Emariexotic
Meet Emarie, an animal enthusiast with a passion for reptiles & amphibians. Lizards, snakes, frogs, you name it! She uses her platform to share funny, relatable & educational content as well as advocating for proper reptile care and important reptile related topics.
Emma Lynne Sampson
Emma is a content creator from Canada, best known for her YouTube videos and TikToks about her many exotic pets! Emma creates fun and educational content about her life with animals and how to care for many different pets such as chameleons, hamsters, snakes, frogs, fish and everything in between. In addition to her work with exotic pets, she has also also worked as a zookeeper, a wildlife educator, and now works at a wildlife rehabilitation centre where she has developed a passion for working with birds of prey such as owls, falcons, and eagles. Emma has a passion for the natural world, and aims to share that passion with everyone around her!
Felicia Wilson -
The Real Life Snow White
I'm the owner of Felicia's Exotic Transports LLC. I have grown a beautiful family on TikTok with over 3.2 million followers and they call me the Real life Snow White. I transport animals all over the world, and specialize in exotic animals. Ive transported for many celebrities! I own 2 African Servals Juno and Asha. My life is always full of great adventures, you never know day to day what I will transport next, from snakes, Caracls, Servals, bobcats, lynx, fox, raccoons, porcupine ect and can't forget our everyday domestic breeds. My love for animals started at a very young age and started working with animals at the young age of 5. I don't only transport animals I bring joy to so many families, educate my followers on all the different breeds, and get to share my pure passion with the world.
Gabby Nikolle - Florida's Wildest
Meet Gabby Nikolle, an animal handler and social media personality based out of South Florida. She has been working with animals for over 12 years and is best known for her work rescuing nuisance alligators. @GATORBOYS_CHRIS and I just purchased 40 acres in North Florida and are starting an Animal Sanctuary.
Garrett Hartle - Reach Out Reptiles
Garrett Hartle is a reptile breeder that has specialized exclusively
in Super Dwarf and Dwarf Reticulated Pythons. Leveraging the power of
social media, his company Reach Out Reptiles has established itself as
the premier breeder of these animals in a relatively short amount of
time. Growing from a garage in his home, Garrett is now operating a
large breeding facility, social media studio for his educational channel
and vlog, with an educational museum dedicated to these animals
currently under construction.
Greg Brashear - Gregs Turtle Haven
YouTube creator, alligator snapping turtle biologist, captive reptile,
turtle and tortoise keeper, skateboarder and wildlife photographer. I
document my adventures in the US and Thailand on my YouTube, Instagram
and Facebook, sharing my Passion and educating on the wildlife I love so
much!
Haley Bechard
Haley works as crocodilian keeper and social media manager at primitive predators. She's been working with venomous and crocodilians for 10 years.
Hiba Ali
Meet Hiba, a pre-veterinary student from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, who
is deeply committed to animal welfare and conservation. Through her
social media content, she shares her passion for animals and educates
her followers about the importance of animal care and conservation
efforts. Hiba is also an active participant in animal rescue and
rehabilitation, regularly volunteering her time and resources to help
animals in need. Her dedication to animal welfare has earned her a
reputation as a compassionate and empathetic advocate for animals,
inspiring others to get involved and make a positive impact on the world
around them.
Isaiah Negron - Zay Outdoors
26 year old nuisance alligator trapper and content creator from
central Florida.
James Thompson - The Animal Protector
James, born a Floridian with Cerebral Palsy is Certified Pet Trainer, and Conservationist of animals, reptiles, & wildlife. He's most known for his viral TikTok videos reaching over 30+million views, which help amassed him over 5M Likes.
With current interest in creating more content for the world while traveling, event hosting, and brand endorsement. James has had a passion for animals since the age of 8. Steve Irwin and Jack Hanna has been his biggest inspiration for working with animals.
Jamie Shank
Animals have always been my passion! I loved being in the ocean and my heart was set on
becoming a marine biologist. With a Bachelors in Marine Biology and Environmental Science, I
began working offshore on seismic vessels tracking and reporting marine wildlife through
photographs and assisting in other projects, such as coral restoration in Indonesia. My passion
for learning and helping wildlife never ceased. I wanted to grow and expand my knowledge and
in 2016 I joined the San Antonio Aquarium and in 2020 I became the Zoo Curator.
Throughout the years, I have been able to work and gain experience with incredible species of
life, from sloths to sea turtles.
I love to educate and share my passion with other animal enthusiasts in hopes to inspire a new generation of explorers, conservationists and animal influencers. I am also very excited to be part of AnimalCon to connect with some of my own icons within the field!
Jaron Brower - Dr. Plants
Meet Jaron, executive producer and founder of Dr. Plants! He's an artist and cinematographer who dedicates his life to documenting the natural world.
Jay Lightsey - Outdoors with Jay
I am Jay Lightsey aka Outdoors with Jay. I am a 13 year old who started The Reptile Bus when I was 10 years old. I love going around my area and sharing my passion for educating others about Reptiles and Amphibians.
I also love going into the wild where I educate on native species in their natural environment. I try to make my content as kid friendly as possible to get future herpers interested in the outdoors.
Jay Tingle
Jay Tingle serves as the Head of Creators at AnimalConUSA and oversees Education and Outreach at both The Reptarium and the soon-to-be LegaSea Aquarium. His lifelong passion for wildlife, coupled with years of experience working alongside Brian Barczyk, has shaped a career focused on inspiring others to appreciate and connect with these incredible creatures. Jay is dedicated to creating innovative opportunities for people to fall in love with wildlife and deepen their understanding of it.
Jeremiah Gonzalez -
Lights Camera Ants
What’s up! My name is Jeremiah!
I run the Lights Camera Ants YouTube channel where I keep ants as pets and make entertaining ant farm videos for people to enjoy!
Can’t wait to see you all this year at AnimalCon 2024!!
I run the Lights Camera Ants YouTube channel where I keep ants as pets and make entertaining ant farm videos for people to enjoy!
Can’t wait to see you all this year at AnimalCon 2024!!
Jeremy Turgeon - Brass Man Reptiles
Jeremy has been working with reptiles & amphibians since age 6. A literal life-long keeper, since that age, he has kept over 70 species and bred close to the same. Perhaps most notably in his journey, was managing New England Reptile Distributors (NERD) from 2019 to 2021 before moving to North Carolina to pursue his music career and expand his collection and brand. Currently, Jeremy works with a variety of reptiles - Ball Pythons, Jungle Carpets, Bredli, Blood Pythons, Short Tail Pythons, Retics, various colubrids, and many more. He also is the co-host of The Reptile Talk Podcast, along with Rob Christian!
Joey Josselson - Callmethelamp
Meet Joey, a 23 year old Navy Nuclear Technician turned reptile content
creator. His passion for reptiles, sense of humor, and incredible
reptiles have captured the attention of millions. He hopes to entertain
as well as educate people on these amazing animals. Specializing in
venomous snakes and training his Argus monitor "Raptor", his days are
always packed with excitement. Joey hopes to one day open a zoo or "ark"
for reptiles, so that even the rarest of species can be preserved in
captivity.
John Ritchie - VenomLife Gear
VenomLife gear rep, John Ritchie, is a dedicated animal educator and advocate for some of the worlds most misunderstood creatures. John is dedicated to caring for and educating the general public about venomous and non-venomous wildlife, both native and exotic.
Joshua Alvarez - SBReptiles
My name is Joshua Alvarez I am the owner of SBReptiles or SouthBayReptiles! A full time breeder & content creator! I’ve owned reptiles for 16 going on 17 years now and have loved them like no other! I love producing new genetic mutations of reptiles as well showing people all the awesomeness that comes with owning over 600 reptiles covering 30+ species of them! I travel all over looking at peoples collections, going to reptile shows & creating content along the way! Come say hi at the 2024 Animal Con and let’s continue growing this amazing community!
Juliette Brewer - The Reptile Zoo
Meet Juliette, she is the daughter of Jay Brewer, manager and main zookeeper in charge of operations and animal care at The Reptile Zoo.
Kayla Roach
Meet Kayla Roach, an avid herpetoculturist and emerging YouTube personality from Ontario, Canada. Driven by her passion for reptiles, Kayla creates educational and entertaining content relating to her animal experiences at home and in the field. Kayla's mission is to educate newcomers to herpetoculture, inspire advanced care and husbandry practices among hobbyists, promote wildlife conservation efforts, and destigmatize the world's most misunderstood animals.
Keary Molinaro- Molinaro Snake Lab
Keary Molinaro is the creator of the Molinaro Snake Lab, where he breeds
multiple species of snakes. Everyday Keary shares his snake keeping and
breeding experiences through short, fun, and educational videos on Tik
Tok, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram! To help inspire the next
generation of snake lovers, Keary is authoring a series of children's
books based on his snake keeping adventures.
KeJahn Rainey
My name is KeJahn Rainey, I am a wildlife enthusiast and content
creator. You may catch me handling snakes and lizards, swimming with
sharks, or even hanging around with monkeys! I am a former college
basketball player at Penn State University who changed my path to focus
on wildlife. I’m down for any adventure near or far as long as the
wildlife is involved !
Kelly Fornez - KF Invertebrates
My name is Kelly Fornez, owner of the business KF Invertebrates. I am an all around animal lover and arachnid enthusiast. Breeding rare tarantulas is my passion and I am hoping one day I'll become the largest breeder of tarantulas in the United States!
Alexandra Ashe - Kinkatopia
The Mother of Kinkajous runs the world's first and only kinkajou-specific sanctuary. Her goal is to assure these animals have the best quality of care in captivity as well as educating that these animals are not traditional pets. Grateful for 6 years of sobriety, Alexandra shares about her redemption from relapse in 2016 and how the animals helped save her life. You'll fall in love with Trashcan, Norman, and the whole crew. From TikTok to Newsweek — the kinkajous are taking over the world.
Kyle Asplundh - Crocodile Kyle
Hello, My name is Kyle Asplundh "Crocodile Kyle" and ever since I can remember I have been infatuated with crocodilians. When I was just 8 years old living in Pennsylvania I begged my mom to let me get my first Caiman, which as you can imagine she said no. But 2 years later after many long conversations of me pleading my case she finally gave in, letting me get my first Alligator and I've dedicated my life to these animals ever since. For the last 8 years since I have lived in Florida I have spent thousands of hours carefully honing my skills and pushing the limits of what's possible when it comes to providing the best possible lives for these animals in captivity. I hope to open up my sanctuary this year where I can spread my love for these animals one guest at a time!
Kyle Fuller
My name is Kyle, owner of Kyle's Wildlife Refuge. I have done educational shows with my animals in Chicago for the past three years. 9 months ago we expanded to an abandoned 5.5 acre property in south ga where we take in reptiles, exotic animals and livestock needing a home. And are currently building our educational facility from the ground up.
Kylie Reynolds - Amazing Animals Inc.
I'm Kylie, the Deputy Director at Amazing Animals Inc. With a deep love for animals and a passion for wildlife conservation, I have dedicated my career to making a difference in the lives of our animal ambassadors. As the resident crazy cat lady, I love my small cats! I'm passionate about Geoffroy's cat conservation, advocating for their protection and working with them in the field and in human care.
Lauryn Murray - Elephant Girl
Hi! My name is Lauryn Murray a.k.a. Elephant girl, a nickname I’ve had my whole life because I was fortunate enough to be born and raised with elephants! I have a lifetime of experience working in free contact, also known as hands-on care with elephants. My goal in life is to educate the public on how important free contact care if for the future and wellbeing of elephants that have been born and raised into human care. I also want to educate the world on the problems they are facing in the wild.
Laz
I'm Lazaro Guerra, a passionate 20-year-old with a deep connection to nature. An avid fisherman, I find excitement on the waters, where I engage in the timeless dance between angler and aquatic life. Beyond the thrill of fishing, I am an ardent advocate for wildlife and the great outdoors. My heart swells with care for the environment, prompting me to take active steps in preserving its beauty. Whether it's cleaning up local bridges/trails or participating in conservation efforts, I am committed to ensuring a harmonious coexistence between humans and the creatures that inhabit our planet. With a fishing rod in one hand and a determination to protect nature in the other, I am Lazaro Guerra—a young individual driven by the call of the wild.
Lila Stratman - GoblinQueenLila
Lila Stratman, or @Goblinqueenlila on TikTok, is an online animal education with a passion for custom enclosure builds and bioactivity. She is a United States marine corps combat engineer veteran who began reptile keeping her final year in the service, igniting a passion for natural sciences. She is a fourth year veterinary biology student and integrates the academic information she obtains into educational videos that connect our husbandry practices to our animals biological functions.
Lyssa's Lizards
Meet Lyssa's Lizards! Lyssa is a reptile keeper of 15+ years with a passion for bioactive and naturalistic reptile keeping. Her reptile family of over a dozen pets has a wide variety of species ranging from a 15 year old leopard gecko to a devious legless lizard. She even has a friendly yellow anaconda! Lyssa's content aims to bring light-hearted fun and education to the reptile community, with the ultimate goal of helping people see the beauty in these wildly misunderstood creatures. 💛
Madison Brass - Hopp'in Help
Meet Madison Brass, the creator behind Hopp'in Help and current Pre
-Veterinary student at the University of Central Florida. For 10 years
Madison has used her platforms to share her personal experience and
knowledge on a wide variety of unique amphibians. Specializing in
Frogs and Toads; from her website, YouTube, Instagram, and Tik Tok
many have come to learn and love these interesting creatures! As she
progresses in her academic journey she has began undergraduate
research on amphibians to expand what we know today in exotic medicine
and looks forward to becoming an exotic veterinarian specializing in
herptiles. Hopp'in Help is a platform to share proper husbandry,
research findings, and allow pet owners access to exotic medicine
information all around the world. But she's best known for her toad,
Fefe, who likes to try and eat her camera lens!
Manny Durand
In 2011, I met David, who shared my passion for animals. He sold me my first crested gecko, and I spent late nights learning and caring for them. My journey into this business truly started with my first panther chameleon from Kammerflage Kreations. As my reptile collection grew, I collaborated more with David, and eventually, we pursued this full-time. TikisGeckos 4 life!
Marina Somma - Dark Winds Wildlife
Marina is the owner/operator of Dark Wings Wildlife, a small education program dedicated to fostering close connections between their animals and online audience. They focus primarily on sharing the individual personalities of their animals and showcasing the importance of enrichment in animal care.
Mario Tabraue
Meet the man, the myth & legend Mario Tabraue who has made global impact in the animal world and continues to be one of the most recognizable faces in the business which sees his legacy and contribution grow exponentially daily.
Co-founder and president of the Zoological Wildlife Foundation he is strongly committed to exotic animal care, nutrition, and behavior, and strives to use his knowledge and experience to inspire others.
Over the past 40 years, Mr. Tabraue and his team have created an environment for animals to stay healthy and improve their quality of life. The Foundation is the realization of a dream and represents his enthusiasm for wildlife around the world. By housing a wide variety of exotic animals that serve as ambassadors for their species, it fulfills the educational and conservation-oriented goals that led Mr. Tabraue to start this journey.
Co-founder and president of the Zoological Wildlife Foundation he is strongly committed to exotic animal care, nutrition, and behavior, and strives to use his knowledge and experience to inspire others.
Over the past 40 years, Mr. Tabraue and his team have created an environment for animals to stay healthy and improve their quality of life. The Foundation is the realization of a dream and represents his enthusiasm for wildlife around the world. By housing a wide variety of exotic animals that serve as ambassadors for their species, it fulfills the educational and conservation-oriented goals that led Mr. Tabraue to start this journey.
Mark Etre - Mark's Reptiles
Hi, I'm Mark Etre, the creator behind Mark's Reptiles on Instagram and
Youtube. I have been working with venomous snakes for over a decade. I
began posting content online to spread the love and truth about these
animals further than at my job. My goal has been to educate the general
public about the truth of these misunderstood animals. Education is key
to create a world where people can coexist with snakes. Another big
aspect of my content is towards the reptile community as a whole. Coming
together and being kind to one another.
Marlon Grennan - Dark Dynasty K9s
Marlon Grennan of Dark Dynasty K9’s, owner of world famous, The Hulk.
Professional dog trainer specializing in personal and home protection as
well as behavior modification.
Featured on Good Morning America, The View, Inside Edition, ABC news, and many more news stations all over the world.
Featured on Good Morning America, The View, Inside Edition, ABC news, and many more news stations all over the world.
Mary Verdugo
Hello, my name is Mary Verdugo. I am a devoted animal lover, and my
passion for creatures of all kinds has been a constant thread throughout
my life. Five years ago, I found a new love in the world of reptiles. I
enjoy creating naturalistic habitats and am eager to learn more about
them. I strive to understand all my critters and provide them with the
best possible life they deserve.
I love to share my experiences and entertaining videos through social
media platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. I hope that my love
for these fascinating critters inspires others to embrace their own
connections with the animal kingdom!
Meghan Arriola - Happy Tails
Meet Meghan Arriola known for her YouTube channel Happy Tails, an animal education channel where she features her many exotic pets such as parrots, snakes, geckos, sugar gliders, and deer, as well as domesticated species like horses, dogs, llamas and alpacas, just to name a few! Meghan is an animal educator that shares her passion with a worldwide audience on social media and in real life animal presentations. Some of her favorite topics are animal behavior, evolutionary adaptations, biologically appropriate nutrition for species, and holistic veterinary medicine. Meghan has previous experience working in private zoos, veterinary clinics, and wildlife rehabilitation. She is based out of Texas. You can follow her on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok under Happy Tails to see her corgis, horses, chital deer, alpacas, peacocks and more!
Mike Wilson
Meet Mike Wilson head keeper at the Legasea aquarium and The Reptarium. His passion for animals shines through on both Brian Barczyk YouTube channel as well as his Instagram page.
Mike Tytula
Mike Tytula is a Biologist, receiving his degree from the University of Calgary. Mike loves to share his passion for reptiles and amphibians by offering a step in his shoes, through the lens of his camera. Mike documents his experiences keeping, breeding, and raising offspring with no filter, demonstrating the reality of keeping so many specialty pets. In addition to sharing his experiences, Mike has a personal commitment to educating his viewers with up-to-date research and information, when it comes to keeping your pets. Anything from new vivarium building techniques, to scientific papers that may benefit your husbandry standards.
Max Strong
Meet Max Strong, a prominent social media influener and dedicated wildlife conservationist, has amassed a large following on social media, @maxstrong. His profile is a vibrant showcase of his adventures with lions, crocodiles, snakes, and other wild animals, highlighting his commitment to both conservation and education through stunning imagery and engaging content.
Nature Boy Adrian
Nature Boy Adrian is a 9-year-old animal enthusiast from Vero Beach, FL, with a passion for herping. He spends every moment he can venturing out into the wild to catch snakes, insects, and other creatures. Adrian has a deep admiration for all wildlife and learning more about the different species he encounters.
His love for nature and desire to share his knowledge with others inspired him to create an Instagram channel where he documents his adventures.
Neptune the Chameleon
Meet Neptune the Chameleon's mom! She has spent years educating and
mentoring thousands of chameleon keepers across the globe on proper
chameleon care through her fun and educational content with her
partner-in-crime, Neptune the Chameleon by her side. Her favorite thing
is seeing new keepers take on the challenge of owning a chameleon and
giving them the best life possible, especially considering chameleons
have the reputation of being advanced and hard to care for. Check out
her channels for all things chameleon-related!
Odd Danny
Meet Odd Danny, a content creator and nature enthusiast known for
shining light on the rarest and most unique creatures in the world.
He’s also worked on content projects with National Geographic helping bring the passion for animals to the big screen and now he’s excited to bring that same passion to you LIVE at AnimalCon!
Paul Bedard - GatorBoys
Paul Bedard is an apex predator expert that specializes in alligators and crocodiles. The graduate from the University of Massachusetts has worked with big cats, bears, venomous snakes, large constrictors, sharks, primates, and many other animals. For the past fifteen years he has focused on his "Gator Boys Alligator Rescue" run out of Everglades Holiday Park in Fort Lauderdale Florida as well as being one of the only no kill alligator trappers in the state of Florida saving the lives of over a thousand alligators. In his spare time he's a storm chaser and competes in ultra distance triathlons. He is a two time Double Ironman Champion, 2019 Quintuple Ironman Champion and 2021 Triple Ironman Champion. He's been featured on ESPN's "E:60", Animal Planet's "Gator Boys" (six seasons), "Lair of the Killer Crocs", "Monster Croc Invasion" and "Tanked". He's also been featured on the Today Show, History Channel's Modern Marvels, the Queen Latifah Show, the Anderson Cooper Show, 700 Club, Fox and Friends, Steve Harvey Show and the Arsenio Hall Show among others.
Payton Moore - WILD LIFE
I'm Payton Moore, host of the YouTube channel WILD LIFE. I have a professional background as a zoo educator and now it's my goal to catch and release incredible fish on camera in order to inspire others to protect these amazing animals
Peter Birch - Critta Cam
I'm Peter Birch, an Aussie Wildlife Adventurer passionate about all wildlife, especially the reptilian kind.
A published author, Educator, Wildlife Adventurer and avid Conservationist using my platforms to promote awareness of conservation issues and encourage better care of captive species.
A published author, Educator, Wildlife Adventurer and avid Conservationist using my platforms to promote awareness of conservation issues and encourage better care of captive species.
Rebecca Kampen
Meet Bexx, a big cat enthusiast and keeper. After moving to
Southwest Florida, she was able to fulfill her lifelong dream of
working with big cats, gators, and other exotics at Kowiachobee Animal
Preserve in Naples. Her mission in life is to support conservation of
endangered species by raising public awareness and education about the
plight of endangered animals. When she's not feeding tigers or making
Tiktok videos, you can find Bexx romping around the Everglades, or
speaking at FWC meetings to support the rights of animal keepers in
Florida. She loves to meet new people, so come say hi!
Rex and Maddy Dinkelman
Meet Maddy and Rex Dinkelman, the dynamic siblings dedicated to animal conservation at Dingos Animal Kingdom.
Rex, at just 9 years old, lives and breathes animal conservation. His passion for crocodilians is unmatched, and despite his young age, he actively works with venomous snakes and various crocodilian species. His dream is to continue his family's conservation legacy worldwide. Rex's video of swimming with 800 young Nile crocodiles has captivated over 200 million viewers globally.
Maddy, unlike her brother and dad, focuses on wildlife conservation in South Africa.
Rex, at just 9 years old, lives and breathes animal conservation. His passion for crocodilians is unmatched, and despite his young age, he actively works with venomous snakes and various crocodilian species. His dream is to continue his family's conservation legacy worldwide. Rex's video of swimming with 800 young Nile crocodiles has captivated over 200 million viewers globally.
Maddy, unlike her brother and dad, focuses on wildlife conservation in South Africa.
Robbie Keszey - Get Swamped
Meet Robbie, known for his Discovery Channel show Swamp Brothers. HE LOVES LIVING HIS LIFE SURROUNDED BY ANIMALS.
Ryan Gradney - Primitive Predators
Hey! My name is Ryan and I've been passionate about reptiles my entire life! I got my first pet snake on my 3rd birthday and it's been an obsession ever since. I have worked with and specialized in venomous snakes for the last 13 years and crocodilians for 10. My love for these animals drew me to Florida where I was lucky enough to partner with "Crocodile Kyle" on the "Primitive Predators" youtube channel and help him with the process of creating one of the top private crocodilian facilities in the world.
Ruby Moderson - Ruby's Zoo
Hi there! My name is Ruby.
I created my YouTube channel, Ruby's Zoo, back in 2016 at the young age of 13 with hopes of inspiring minds young and old to not only treat animals with the love and compassion that they deserve, but also to encourage proper animal welfare, share my experiences in the animal world, and to meet other amazing animal lovers such as yourself. I look forward to meeting you at AnimalConUSA!
Stephen Brezil
Xtreme Exotics Pet Store
My names Stephen Brezil I'm the owner of Xtreme Exotics Pet Store in Jacksonville Fl and the Owner of Xtreme Exotics Wildlife Foundation a 501c3 Non Profit Organization in St. Augustine Florida working with rescues and endanger species from around the globe! My life has always been animal related I grew up wanting to be a true zoo keeper that specializes in everything. Over the course of my life I have had amazing experiences working with everything from King Cobras to Lions. I've been very fortune to meet many amazing people and zoo owners along the way which has aloud me to expand my knowledge and work with the amazing species I have had the pet store since 2005. The pet store has been amazing really given me the chance to work with all type of pet owners on proper ways to care for some of the amazing off the wall animals people want to keep as pets. We started the zoo 5 years ago with the goal to help rescue and save exotic animals. We have also put forth a great effort in to working with critically endangered lemurs as well as a few other species in hopes to increase populations due to the loss of these amazing animals with habitat loss and over hunting around the globe. This is our first year with the zoo open for public tours and we are happy to say we have loved the excitement and response we have gotten from guest. Any other questions grab me at animal con and I'll be happy to chat!! Look forwards to seeing everyone!
Steve Vicari - Paleo Analysis
Paleo Analysis is a channel made by a guy who never outgrew his childhood obsession with dinosaurs. Now as a grown man my love has expanded to encompass all of natural history as a whole. From paleo profiles explaining everything we know about a specific creature to filming my adventures fossil hunting, this channel is my way of educating people and sharing my passion for earth's past. https://linktr.ee/PaleoAnalysis
Stingray Biology -
Kevin Wai
Founded in 2006 by Dr Richard Ross and Kevin Wai, the Center was
dedicated towards researching husbandry and breeding requirements of
Freshwater Stingrays. The mission statement was to study captive
breeding techniques and to help relieve demand on wild populations. We
have since evolved into the largest freshwater stingray breeder in the
USA. We pride ourselves in providing the highest quality animals. We
first started our YouTube channel in 2011 to show some of the stingray
pups we were producing, but it wasn't until 2019 that we became more
active in sharing and teaching our work on YouTube. In 2021, The Center
for Stingray Biology merged with Predatory Fins and we are now working
on building a new facility to exhibit some of the most exotic and rare
tropical fish from around the world.
Stone Lequerique - Stone's World
Hi my name is Stone and I run the YouTube channel "Stones World"
where I document handling Venomous Snakes, Crocodilians, and snake
hunting across the globe!
Tango The Cockatoo
Tango is a young Moluccan Cockatoo! He has grown his audience with his
constant ranting, loving personality and bossy attitude on TikTok! He is
guaranteed to always put a smile on your face! He is most known for
tormenting his dad and the other animals that we have to show them that
he runs the roost!
Tarantula Kat
Tarantula Kat's channel features her collection of cute and creepy critters. While her focus is mainly on tarantulas, she also often showcases her jumping spiders, velvet spiders, brown recluses, and various other inverts, reptiles, and amphibians. Through her videos, she helps people become more comfortable with the animals they typically fear.
Tom White - VenomLife Gear
Hey there !! I'm Tom also known as dreaded reptiles the newest representative of Venomlife gear, I've been absolutely in love with all wildlife and have been keeping, catching, & teaching others about my passion for as long as I can remember. Now I enjoy bringing it to the world via social media and inviting all to join my educational journey across this magnificent planet alongside some of its most misunderstood creatures.
Ty Baker
My names Ty, I am a fisherman, a fish keeper, a reptile keeper, and have the up most respect for any animal. I love spreading laughter and putting animals in a spot light to inform people yet give them a break from reality with my videos!
Yoshii - Modern Reptile
Yoshii is a reptile breeder, owner of Modern Reptile, and one of the
hosts of the Reptiles With Podcast. The Reptiles With Podcast covers
Repti-Culture with a comedic twist. We aim to give different
perspectives on all topics, even the controversial ones.
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