I will stick to dogs :-)

Micro chipping snake what a deal.

Some are arguing too many people buy reptiles on impulse... You don't feel that people buy animals (Dogs, for instance) that require MORE time, effort, and money on impulse too? If anything - a simple requirement to register your animals (similar to a dog license w/a small fee) should be all that's required. Anything more is absolutely ridiculous.

Most reptiles are no more dangerous than most common house pets. People SHOULD be educated before buying one - but just because SOME consumers are careless idiots shouldn't mean that those of us who take the time to truly understand our animals should suffer under a new (pointless) law.

Of course - that doesn't mean potentially dangerous animals shouldn't be under scrutiny... Then again - using terms like "potentially dangerous" is WAY too open for argument on both ends - and it should be avoided in law. Instead - maybe consider "venomous, poisonous, toxic, etc animals should be outlawed" But "potentially dangerous" is unacceptable.

I think the microchip and the $100 fee are an excellent compromise. Just like the article says it weeds out the impulse buyers and allows the serious owner to get the pet he wants. Kudos to Florida.

reptiles are not for me.

Very interesting, I can see the argument on both sides. I am glad I am not a reptile lover, so I will stay out of this debate.

Reptiles should not be pet

I've never thought about it before. This was a very interesting article, and it raises awareness.

I think the regulation is a good idea. People buy pets impulsively and with a reptile as with birds, or any pet, you need to understand what they need to live a healthy life. The regulations will prevent impulse buying and hopefully those that choose to buy after that will be educated to care properly for the animals. I am still opposed generally to wild animals of any kind being a pet.

I don't think the reptiles as pets should be considered a problem if they are cared for properly, but the problem is people get them young and they usually outgrow their homes and then are dumped. What the nation needs is universal laws about owning and selling reptiles.

Do we really know enough about reptiles to keep them as pets? Also, are there enough veterinarians out there to care for these animals when they become sick or require attention. Can people get insurance for reptiles?

I think it should be regulated. To many critters of all kinds are not taken care of properly. It seem money is the only thing people listen to. If they don't take care of their animals and if they have to pay a hefty fine or jail time, then so be it.

Articles like this irritate me because they put a negative spin on the situation, and funny how The Humane Society always seems to be at the center of these types of articles. I always feel like I want to support the HSUS, but then am reluctant to do so because they are constantly attacking a category that I am a big fan of: reptiles as pets.

As for the damage it wreaks on native habitats, I agree. So work towards setting-up, encouraging and supporting captive breeding programs, rather than beating down the hobby as a whole.

As for the issues of salmonella, captive care and release of captive pets, etc. - that is all just a matter of education. Educating parents about keeping habitats clean & supervising children when handling pets of ANY kind. Educating herp owners before they purchase so they know what they are getting into, about proper care if they do indded decide a reptile is the pet for them - which IS a huge issue, and has been for some time - and about responsible relinquishment if it doesn't work out.

This isn't rocket science people, a lot of it is simple common sense. Shame on the HSUS for not taking a more positive, pro-active approach to the situation.

Im not much of a reptile fan, I'll stick to the cute and cuddly furry pets.

If a person is well educated & take the proper care all should be good.

And furthermore, just to add--my reptiles are housed in appropriately-sized, secure cages to prevent escape, their cages are kept clean and cleaned with reptile-appropriate disinfectant, and guess what? They get annual vet visits just like my cat. Reptile vets are harder to find, but they do exist and my vet has told me my animals are among the healthiest he's ever seen. They are well-fed, free of parasites and seem very content. So much for the myth that reptiles cannot be healthy in captivity!

Also, the scare over salmonella is seriously overblown. Just wash your hands or keep a bottle of hand sanitizer by the cage, and don't buy a reptile for your kids if you think they're going to put it in their mouths.

Some reptiles do not make good pets, and some make wonderful pets. Some people make irresponsible pet owners, and some people make wonderful pet owners. It's all in the details.

Iguanas, large pythons, venomous snakes and lizards and large monitors do not make good pets for the general public. They require very specialized care, an intense amount of work and some can pose a threat to human and animal life due to their size and strength. While there may be people who are educated enough and prepared for the challenges and responsibilities of owning an animal such as a Burmese python, iguana or large monitor lizard, those people are few and far between. Kudos to the ones who are responsible, and boo-hiss to the irresponsible ones who give everyone else a bad name.

Smaller snakes and lizards can be fabulous, gentle, docile, and completely safe pets. I own two leopard geckos and a ball python; the geckos are about 8" long and utterly harmless to anything but crickets and mealworms. The ball python will not get larger than 5 or 6 feet long, and will not pose a threat to anything larger than a rat, much less a dog or cat or human child.

My ball python is the most gentle animal I have ever owned. They're called ball pythons because when they're scared, they don't bite--they curl up into a little tight ball. How much more inoffensive can you get than that? And if they do bite--which is very rare, and I have never been bitten--it's far, FAR less painful than being bitten by a dog or cat. I also own a cat, and my cat has bitten me many times. My snake never has. But that doesn't mean I think we should ban dogs or cats.

I agree that there should be permits required for people who want to take on the giant species of snakes, the Burmese and African Rock and Reticulated pythons. Those snakes require massive amounts of care, and there *are* idiots who turn them loose in the wild when they get too large. However, not all snakes in the pet trade grow to be 20 feet long or longer! Rosy boas, Kenyan Sand Boas, corn snakes, ball pythons, carpet pythons, green tree pythons, kingsnakes, milk snakes, hognose snakes, woma pythons, rat snakes, garter snakes, bull snakes, and many, many more stay under 10 feet long, could never seriously hurt anyone, readily breed in captivity and make fabulous pets.

I know that people are afraid of snakes and lizards, but I am afraid of spiders and I would never try to ban people from keeping tarantulas just because I am afraid of them. I wish others would not try to ban reptiles just because they are afraid.

And as for taking reptiles from the wild, yes, that is a terrible concern. But there is a simple way around that--don't buy wild-caught animals! Most species of reptile in the pet trade today are very successfully bred, and those animals are healthier, more tame, and purchasing a captive bred snake or lizard does not negatively impact the environment.

Both of my geckos and my snake are captive bred, and I would never buy an animal that was taken from the wild. It is not necessary, nor is it the most common practice in the reptile pet industry today.

So what it really comes down to is fear and responsibility. I call on my fellow reptile owners to educate others and take that fear away by imparting knowledge that no, that corn snake is not venomous and is not going to hunt and kill your toddler.

Many of you are against owning a reptile - that's fine, don't get one! But don't inhibit a responsible pet owner from owning one. Reptiles CAN and DO make amazing pets - and as with ANY ANIMAL if you do the proper research you will have a long and happy companionship with your pet. You guys do realize that there are just as many warm blooded pet owners that are irresponsible and damaging native wild habitats, don't you? Stray or feral cats and dogs are not only dangerous to humans but they are destroying our own local habitats. Also, many species of reptiles have been bred in captivity for many, many years and are no longer imported from the wild. As for the misconception that reptiles are all dangerous and out to kill you, well, sorry to burst your bubble but all of the reptiles I have owned are very gentle and friendly (snakes included). They all have their own personality and I love them for their uniqueness. I love and care for them just as I love my cats and horses. Reptiles can be very friendly and docile as long as they were handled correctly as a neonate and not abused or taunted. Does this sound familiar? If you don't socialize a puppy or kitten to people and handling, they too can become aggressive and antisocial. So before you attack us reptile owners, why don't you do a little research yourself and see how many of us love our pets and are responsible? And once again, before buying ANY ANIMAL, do your research and lots of it!!

Wow, a 22% increase in reptile ownership....that's huge! Just like any other pet, people should research the requirements of reptiles before bringing one home. They're considered exotic and need very specific care.

as long as they take good care of them

i agree there are a lot now a days i like the idea

I think this a great idea. I'm shock at the amount of reptiles in home.

this is great, if someone can't afford the permit....they don't get the pet!

Thats a big number for reptiles in the household. I had a lizzard myself and I love him. I think he is very cute. My mom is now warming up to my bearded. I think anyoine can warm up to reptiles.

Wow, I had no idea so many people kept reptiles as pets!

that is a crazy number of reptiles in homes

Reptiles as pets is beyond me, but to each their own!

ill stick w/cats & dogs... eww.

Not for me. I'll stick with cats.

I can't imagine having some of these creatures as pets for myself or my family. If some people really feel that they need them, it would be very nice if they would do the necessary research first. That would include how having them as contributed to wild populations being reduced.

I think reptiles should stay in the wild

Regulation does sound like it will help the problem.

Step in the right direction--most of these are not suitable pets and a huge number of people who have them really aren't caring for them correctly. Of course many go "underground" because they have no intention of following the rules.

Thats really neat!

i agree if ur gona have a reptile research first!

I think it is wrong for people to have reptiles as pets unless they do there homework first.

ew

I don't agree with the poster who said HSUS is opposed to all pet ownership - point here involves exotics. But you are better off with the direct approach of contributing to your local shelter.

11M Reptiles in U.S. Homes-Boy! this is spooky. It make mad to see people trying to make pets out of exotic reptiles. Leave them in the wilds.

I agree, but only because sooo many people buy reptiles because they are "cool" and thought be easy pets (they don't need baths, walks regular vet visits) People do not do research before buying them...I the wild many reptiles don't go in the same area twice, and yet many people insist on housing multiple lizards in a ten gallon tank! People need t throughly research before ANY pet purchase and do the BEST possible...also iguanas are MEAN, other states need to follow Maine's lead and make the illegal (without permits) to prevent more attacks from these "exotic" lizards.

Well I believe this is what happens when you let them loose

personally not a fan of reptiles

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This is an interesting topic - I sincerely wonder what conditions most of these reptiles live in. For the most part it seems they live in tiny aquariums, how can that be healthy? Secondly, what do you do when it outgrows your situation? Reptiles live for an extremely long time, I wonder how many people are really committed.

I wonder how many of these reptiles end up hurting or killing their owners? There was an article the other day about a 25 year old girl that was killed by her 10ft python...sad...

All potential owners should be screened and "tested" on their knowledge of care giving so these exotics don't end up out in our environment and competing with native species.

Responsible pet owners keep their pets for life and properly identify them so they can find their way back home. No exceptions. I love iguanas!!!

This is a tough topic, but my own thoughts are that reptiles shouldn't be pets. They don't seem to develop a loyalty to the owner. They are just there, most in aquariums.

I don't think the U. S. should allow the importing of any creature as a private pet that is not native to our land. Reptiles in particular. Too many ignorant people will just turn them loose thinking they will survive and if they do survive, then their is a danger to the environment they are released in.

That;s a lot of reptiles. Most of us have grown up with dogs and cats and at least know the basics of their care but reptiles are new to the majority of people and I think they need to read all about them before getting one.