RALEIGH, N.C. — Repticon, a reptile and exotic animal exhibition, is in Raleigh this weekend with upcoming stops scheduled for Charlotte and Asheville.

The expo features hundreds of reptiles for show and for sale. The event gives guests the opportunity to learn about animals not normally seen in local pet stores.

“Instead of the shock and awe, and “oh my gosh, scary, it’s a snake” we want people to know that they are really friendly and do make great pets,” says Bill Albright, owner of AHP Exotics.

Throughout the event, there will be seminars on animal-related topics by experts in the field of herpetology.

Guests can also shop for a new family pet among the hundreds of reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, spiders, and small exotic animals.

Repticon continues Sunday in Raleigh from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The North Carolina State Fairgrounds Expo Center.

The convention will be in Asheville on December 5 and 6, and in Charlotte on December 12 and 13.