Reptile and amphibian breeders work extremely hard to produce their captive offspring. We all have money and time invested in breeding healthy animals of which there can be many disappointments. These rules are written by the breeders and vendors, the general public, local, state and federal agencies and the board of trustees of MARS Preservation Fund, Inc. to ensure that the goals of the show are met. The Mid-Atlantic Reptile Show (MARS) is known as a show with strict rules. These rules are enforced for the benefit of the breeder, the well-being of the animals, and in compliance with the local, state and federal laws. We strive to set good standards for our captive born only reptile shows and the reptile industry. Animals for sale must be captively produced within the United States (unless sufficient proof is supplied prior to show time providing that the animals are truly captive born and healthy). It is everyone’s responsibility to protect the well-being of all the animals in our care.
Vendors selling food items for reptiles and amphibians will be allowed to sell only the following items: live mouse pinks, fuzzies; live rat pinks and fuzzies; frozen mice and frozen rats of all sizes; mealworms (various types), wax worms, crickets, corn grubs, moth larvae, earthworms, butterworms, house and fruit flies.
1. Captive born reptiles and amphibians only. For more clarification:
• No wild caught animals
• No imported animals
• No long term captive wild caught animals
• No farm raised green iguanas, boas or other animals from outside the U.S. (unless sufficient proof is supplied and approved before show time)
• No green iguanas (for sale or display) may be brought to the show
• No scorpions
• No insects (Except those listed above for reptile food only)
• No cockroaches (Unless they are sold in large quantities for food – like crickets/mealworms)
• No mammals or birds
• No promotion of any other shows
An inspection by qualified professionals and other vendors, will be conducted before and during the show. Please take the captive breeding rule very seriously, it will be enforced. If you have an unusual animal, or a first time breeding – the burden of proof is on you (photographs at birth, of mating, of parents, bill of sale, etc.). If you have a questionable animal that you cannot provide adequate proof of its captive breeding – don’t bring it to the show! MARS wishes to maintain a reputation for offering only high quality, healthy, captively bred animals. If it’s not captive bred and healthy please do not bring it to the show!
2. Absolutely NO venomous reptiles; NO rear-fanged reptiles; NO surgically altered reptiles. Anyone that has a venomous animal (including the parking lot, hotel or show building) will be prosecuted – it’s against the law to possess or sell venomous reptiles in Maryland.
3. Baby or juvenile captive bred tarantulas will be allowed.
4. All hybrid animals must be clearly marked “hybrid” with all crosses stated on the cage. If the lineage or parentage is not clearly explained, then the animal cannot be sold.
5. All animals must be kept in clean, suitable, secure and humane containers. We discourage keeping animals in the hotel rooms. Please arrange to keep animals in the exhibition building only – no animals can be displayed or uncaged elsewhere.
6. Endangered species or other animals requiring a permit must not be sold or displayed without proper legal documentation from the seller and the buyer. Department of Natural Resources of Maryland, Fish and Wildlife Service and other undercover personnel will be present.
7. Only paid Vendors/Dealers are allowed to sell or display animals during show hours at the fairgrounds only. No other animals can be brought into the Fairgrounds, the Days Hotel Timonium, Red Roof Inn or Timonium Holiday Inn. All animals must enter through the bay door at rear entrance and be sold by Vendors/Dealers only. Once a “sold” animal leaves the building, it cannot be brought back inside. A “hold for (with the buyer’s name) note” can be kept secure – behind the vendor’s table – if the buyer needs to leave the building temporarily. No sales or transactions can be conducted in the parking lots, from vehicles at the fairgrounds or hotels, restaurants, the hotel rooms or hotel lobbies. Vendors cannot sell to the public until 10:00 a.m. on Saturday or Sunday. This includes all vendors located inside or anywhere outside the hall. This rule keeps the competition fair and equal.
8. Professional security will be provided during the off-hours of the event weekend in the 4-H Building at the Maryland State Fairgrounds. No one may enter during these times for any reason. The building will be locked and protected by armed security during the off show hours. There will be no other weapons of any kind allowed during the show hours, except for security personnel.
9. The Vendor/Dealer is responsible for the collection of 5% state sales tax. The address is: Maryland Department of Revenue Sales Tax Division, 301 West Preston St., Baltimore, Maryland 21201-2383, Phone: (410) 767-1300.
10. Any Vendors/Dealers planning to sell herps native to Maryland (this includes any color morph of an animal – including all corn snakes – which are found in Maryland) must apply for a $25.00 permit to The Department of Natural Resources, Tawes State Office Building, Permits Coordinator Wildlife Division, 580 Taylor Ave., Annapolis, Maryland 21401. Permit information is enclosed. You must apply for this permit before the show (recommended prior to August 15, 2006). The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will be at the show to ensure the permits have been obtained for any animal that is native to the state of Maryland.
11. Two Vendor/Dealer name badges (passes) will be issued for each paid table (no sharing or swapping of badges). Vendor passes are to be used by the registered vendor and his associates/employees only. If all the passes allowed are not used by that vendor, that right expires. Another vendor cannot use them. In other words, a vendor is not to turn in pass names for someone else’s table, regardless of whether that vendor has unused passes or not. All other members or employees with your organization will be asked to pay the admission fee and will only be admitted during show hours. This rule is enforced for your protection and the security of the show. Only show personnel and registered vendors will be allowed in the hall during set-up/breakdown hours.
12. No feeding of mammals or birds to reptiles during the show hours (feeding should not be done publicly).
13. Vendors using electricity must have a heavy-duty extension cord and power strip with a breaker. All tables will have access to electricity. The price of electricity and set-up is included in your table rental fee.
14. Vendors who are sharing tables or selling animals on consignment for friends are held responsible for animals placed on their tables. Know what you are selling, whether it’s yours or not! The vendor who rents the table is held responsible for following all of the show rules. If possible, arrangements should be made ahead of time to pick up any animals that you are selling for someone else. Only a registered vendor is allowed to bring animals and goods into the hall during set-up hours. Friends cannot show up during the show with an arm full of animals and claim they are dropping them off to you or any other vendor for sale. However, you may make prior arrangements to meet someone in person that is bringing additional animals at the back entrance only. No animals will come through the general public front entrance during the designated show times.
15. The sale of turtles/tortoises in the pet trade under four inches carapace length is prohibited under Federal and Maryland state law. No turtles under four inches can be displayed or brought to the show. A log of buyers is to be kept by the seller for the sale of turtles over four inches. No Bog, Wood, Eastern Box, or Spotted Turtles can be legally sold in Maryland.
16. All appropriate literature (caution notices) must be clearly visible (2 on each table) regarding possible salmonella bacteria infection in reptiles if they are displayed or offered for sale. Each vendor will receive a supply of salmonella flyers to give to every person who purchases an animal. This is a Maryland Health Department requirement.
17. All items for sale must be reptile/amphibian/invertebrate related or products/services relating to the show’s environmental goals.
18. All exhibitors are expected to act in a professional manner. Inappropriate behavior (angry outbursts, verbal threats or physical violence) will not be invited back the following year.
19. MARS Preservation Fund, Inc., the Maryland Herpetological Society, the Natural History Society of Maryland and its board of trustees, the show coordinator, the Maryland State Fairgrounds, Days Hotel Timonium, Red Roof Inn and/or Holiday Inn Security cannot be held responsible for damage, theft or injuries, and they also reserve the right to expel anyone that is in violation of these rules. Since the show coordinator must deal with the possible misinterpretation of these rules or numerous unforeseen problems, the show coordinator reserves the right to remove any animal or any exhibitor for any reason.