Nili Getman
Saturday 10th March 2001.
Europe's biggest Reptile and Amphibian fair is held twice a year, in March and September in Hamm, Germany. By taking the Seacat from Dover to Ostend it is a 4 to 5 hours, but easy, drive to Hamm. The doors open at 10.00 but the masses gather well before. There is no queue or any semblance of order so beware of the crush. The venue consists of 3-4 large halls and sometimes a marquee filled with plants, reptiles, dry goods and hardware. Officials patrol the stalls and check the welfare of the animals on display. Frogs are displayed both amongst other animals and on the occasional dedicated stall. Prices are between a third to half that charged by British suppliers with DD. tinctorius, leucomelas, auratus, azureus and ventrimaculatus being the most common, along with several colour morphs of E. tricolor and, on one stall, a few D. histrionicus. The September show is apparently better for frog hunters as juveniles of many more species are available. |
Two days before the show, British traders were told by the organisers that a directive from the German government had specified that they were not welcome due to the current Foot & Mouth crisis. However the British public were welcomed and if the amount we spent at the show is representative, I can see why!
If your interests extend to snakes, lizards and arachnids, you will not be disappointed with Terrastika, but allow time for a good nose about and long enough for the drive back.