Long Island Reptile Expo's cancellation at Suffolk County Community College raises questions about its future

The surprise cancellation of the annual Long Island Reptile Expo at Suffolk County Community College is raising questions about the event's future after organizers said they were recently made aware it is illegal to buy, sell, or own constricting snakes and many spiders in the Town of Islip.

The expo, which for nearly a decade featured more than 200 vendors who showcased and sold reptiles, wrote on its Facebook page it canceled its March 10 event at the Michael J. Grant Campus and is looking for a new venue on Long Island.

“It is challenging because we have found that many towns on Long Island (in both Nassau and Suffolk counties) have similar laws on the books,” the post said.

Layne Hudes, one the event's organizers, declined to comment further.

Ashley Pope, legal counsel for the college, said last October, animal advocacy group Humane Long Island questioned the legality of the expo’s reptile sales in a letter addressed to college President Edward Bonahue.

Under Town of Islip Code Section 12-23, animals sold at the expo, such as constricting snakes, tarantulas, scorpions, venomous lizards and iguanas are considered wild animals, and their presence is prohibited.

“It's always our goal to ensure that any events on our campus take place in accordance with applicable law, regulation, or events etc.," Pope said. “And that we maintain a good relationship with our town partners, our community partners and our neighbors.”

However, “the Town of Islip would not have the jurisdiction to either permit or not permit the holding of such an event at a state-owned public college/school,” said Caroline Smith, a spokesperson for the Town of Islip.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, which regulates the sale and possession of wild animals in the state, could not be reached for comment.

“We have fought this decision since October,” the expo said on its website and in the Facebook post, announcing its March cancellation. “Our lawyers have worked tirelessly to find a way to continue the expo.”

Pope said the college has since terminated its contract with Animal Encounters LLC, the company that runs the event,  and will not host its previously scheduled event for October or any other expo events on any Suffolk campus.

“The College has been marvelous and has supported us every step of the way,” the expo post said.

The event has been held at the Brentwood campus for at least nine years. The company also hosts its reptile expos in White Plains, the mid-Hudson area and in New England, according to its website.

The expo’s statement said it has identified some venues that may not have prohibitive laws and have at least 13,000 square feet, and is hopeful to put on an October event.

“Nevertheless, we will persevere,” the statement said.

CORRECTION: A previous photo caption on this story gave the wrong species for the savannah monitor pictured.