David Luther, 66, had the reptiles for sale at Harton Aquatics in Moor Lane, South Shields, when they were seized by the RSPCA and he was charged with 10 offences.
Yesterday he appeared before South Tyneside magistrates for a seventh time and admitted eight of the offences. No evidence was offered on the other two.
Luther, of East Close, South Shields, admitted the two most serious offences, of failing to meet the needs of 27 reptiles for a suitable environment, and failing to meet their needs for a suitable diet.
The animals included a king snake, royal python, a bearded dragon, baby boa and a leopard gecko.
The six other offences he admitted were that he failed to protect:
A king snake with a parasitic infection.
A baby boa constrictor with a skin- shedding disorder which could lead to permanent skin damage.
A python with an open neck wound.
A leapard gecko with hind limb paralysis.
A corn snake with untreated pus in the eye.
A bearded dragon with an untreated abscess on its elbow.
The RSPCA offered no evidence on two charges that he caused unnecessary suffering to the protected animals, and they were withdrawn.
Clive McKeag, solicitor for the RSPCA, asking the magistrates for an adjournment, said: ”The advice of a veterinary expert has been obtained by the defending solicitor.
“This is not a straightforward case.
“These are exotic species and I believe it is expeditious for the veterinary surgeon to be present in court, because I foresee you asking questions which I would not be able to answer.
“I suggest the case can proceed on the next occasion. The defence solicitor has to take further advice from his client on mitigation.”
The magistrates agreed to adjourn the case until later this month, a decision supported by defending solicitor Geoffrey Forrester.
After the hearing, a spokesman for the RSPCA said some of the reptiles were so diseased they had to be put to sleep and others re-homed.