October 20, 2008

With reptile ownership increasing 22 percent in the last two years, the trend brings a host of concerns about the new pets. (Pet Pulse Photo by Kris O'Donnell, Design by Tim Mattson)

ORLANDO, Fla. -- They slither and they crawl, and more and more of them are finding their way into American homes.

The Topole family of Jacksonville, Fla., loves reptiles, so they came to the Repticon reptile show in Orlando to pick up a couple of geckos.

"We have cats and dogs, so we added reptiles to them," Scott Topole said.

The Topole family is not alone.

According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, reptile ownership has jumped 22 percent in the last two years.

Many are non-native, exotic animals because most native reptiles are federally protected species. But not everyone is happy about the growing reptile business.

The Humane Society of the United States opposes reptile ownership. According to the HSUS, the global trade in pet reptiles contributes to depleted wild populations and damaged habitats. The Humane Society also says many animals die during importation and transport.

There are also health concerns. The American Academy of Pediatrics now advises against young children from keeping turtles and lizards due to their potential to carry diseases, like salmonella.

But the Topole family says they aren't worried.

"We keep our cages clean," Scott Topole said. "We try to keep the healthiest environment possible for both the kids and the animals."

There's also the care issue. Many captive iguanas often suffer from malnutrition and bone disease because they don't receive the diet and ultraviolet light they require.

In Florida, reptiles pose another problem. Some end up in the environment because people no longer want them or can't care for them.

"A lot of species come here and a lot of them, if they're released in your back yard, they'll survive here," biologist John Fauth said.

"If you have a large predator ... it could be larger than any of the natives and start gobbling up prey and then you have a real problem."

This year the state implemented new laws that restrict ownership of some reptiles. A number of snakes and lizards have been listed as "reptiles of concern" and anyone who buys one has to pay a $100 licensing fee each year and have the animal micro-chipped.

It's a move that's applauded by many reptile enthusiasts, like Winston Smith of the Central Florida Herpetological Society.

"It still allows people who want to own the animals to own them because they'll come up with that $100 permit," Smith said. "It just creates an extra step to weed out the impulse buyers."

Smith says he supports regulation along with education about the proper care of reptiles. But, he’s opposed to an outright ban on reptile ownership.

"When you ban things, things just go underground," Smith said. "No one knows. A lot of animals suffer."

For now, biologists say regulation is the right move.

"It's a real step in the right direction," Fauth said. "We have the potential for so many exotics to be introduced here that we need to help people become more responsible pet owners."

Florida's new law currently covers many python species and Nile monitor lizards.

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