With a Sonoran gopher snake wrapped around his neck, 15-year-old Payton Culpepper reached into a white bag to show off his new treasure.

"This is my pride,' said Culpepper, who is from the Abilene area. "It's a green tree python.'

Culpepper was among the thousands of reptile lovers who filled the Arlington Convention Center on Saturday to browse hundreds of snakes, lizards, frogs, aquariums, accessories and more at the North American Reptile Breeders Conference show.

The twice-annual show drew about 5,000 visitors and 250 vendors this past weekend to Arlington from across the country.

Children searched for their first snakes, while longtime lovers looked for their newest addition.

Representatives of area herpetological societies were on hand to answer questions and provide assistance to new reptile owners.

"Kids and families can come here and see some really amazing animals,' said Bob Ashley, president of the conference show. "There is a lot of science and nature inside this building.'

The show was not for the queasy.

Charlotte Culpepper has brought her grandson Payton, who owns dozens of pet snakes, every year since it started about seven years ago. She admits it was not always easy.

"Snakes have grown on me,' Culpepper said. "I don't mind them at all now.'

Nolan Prater, 9, of Sherman, was on the lookout for a Columbian red tail boa, which friends had suggested as a good first-time snake. This was his first ever reptile show, and he was in heaven.

"This is awesome,' Nolan said. "I love snakes. They're so slithery and fun.'

Kimberly and Wayne Howell, of Houston, chatted with fellow snake lovers and vendors, while checking out the goods with their sons, Caleb, 13, and Weston, 10. As reptile aficionados, they attend the show at least once a year to see what is new on the reptile front.

Kimberly Howell said her family has long been drawn to reptiles. They already own about 100 and are not opposed to adding more.

"They are part of nature. They are wonderful to look at,' she said. "And they are not nearly as high maintenance as dogs or cats.'