Exotic Reptile Trade Raises Eyebrows


According to the Humane Society of the United States, the number of pet reptiles in the U.S. is on the rise – feeding the highly under-regulated and sometimes illegal trade.

Although reptile imports are down overall, there has been an increase in demand for exotic animals – often times, exotic can mean rare or endangered, the group says.

And not many countries regulate the methods used to acquire snakes, lizards and other reptiles - a fact the HSUS says should weigh heavily on Americans in the market for a pet.

The HSUS questions whether reptiles are fit to live as pets in the first place – since many spend their lives far from human contact, in a cage or tank – and don't provide the kind of companionship a dog or cat does.

Furthermore, risk to the caregivers themselves can be high. Snakes, for example, account for thousands of injuries each year – many of which end in death.

And considering how hard it can be to find anti-venin for poisonous exotic snakes, it may make a lot more sense to head to the local shelter and pick up a gerbil.

Do you think we should be allowed to keep exotic reptiles as pets?

Tell us what you think under this story. Post your favorite pet videos at the zootooTV tab. Email us your story ideas at news@zootoo.com or call us at 877-777-4204.

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334 comments found.
 
Again.Iguanas make very good campanions.They are not to keep in a cage and look at.They need one and one time with you.They love to be petted.They like to be talked to.If people are going to get a lizard or snake they really need to look in on how to take care of them.And are willing to give alot of time to them.And rember there is alot of homeless guys out there.Think of adopting before buying one in a store.
 
Cindy Q.
Cindy Q. (cindypurple)
3 months ago
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I do not think that owning an exotic pet is a good idea. They are well off where they originaly live and sometimes in zoos. To care for animals like these would be difficult and some people think that all you do is put it in a cage .
 
David R.
David R. (Wally)
3 months ago
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I really do not think that exotics should be purchased and sold outside of the zoo business. People don't typically know how to take care of them and these animals do not typically thrive outside of their natural habitat.
 
rena t.
rena t. (rena28614)
3 months ago
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I think you should be allowed to own certen snakes and reptiles, no gators or poison animals.
 
Karen M.
Karen M. (Karemel)
3 months ago
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This area of pet ownership should be strictly regulated with enforceable education on the care of these animals prior to getting one. Maybe that would keep people from getting in over their head with it.
 
PAULDESNOYERS
PAULDESNOYERS
3 months ago
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There are enough types of animals to have as pets without using exotic ones.
 
Interesting.
 
David R.
David R. (Wally)
4 months ago
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Exotic reptiles should not be kept as pets. This is interfering with their habitat and their way of life in a way that could be dangerous. Traffickers in exotic reptiles and other pets should be limited to those affiliated with a zoo.
 
Carryl D.
Carryl D. (carryld)
4 months ago
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To keep exotic pets, you need to have the required permits and proper training. I certainly would not/could not perceive the care of such a creature.
 
Jacob H.
Jacob H. (jhupp22)
4 months ago
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to keep and exotic pet i think you have to be very careful and educated about that animal
 
Barbara K.
Barbara K. (Ishbish)
4 months ago
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Well, if they are endangered, or venomous they probably shouldn't be pets. But otherwise...what about people allergic to cats, dogs and birds? Does that mean they shouldn't be allowed to have ANY pet?
 
jdarunner
jdarunner
4 months ago
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wow!!!!!!!!!
 
jdarunner
jdarunner
4 months ago
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wow.....weird story.
 
Brigit800
Brigit800
4 months ago
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NO, NO EXOTIC REPTILES, or birds, or fish, or any other animal outside of it's natural environment.
 
Doggieluvs
Doggieluvs
4 months ago
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only in extreme cases such as breeding populations in zoos as last step measures to preserve an almost extinct species.
 
suezie
suezie
4 months ago
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Keep the wild animals wild.
 
I am so against this-if you want to see one of these animals fly to the animals natural habitat and go take a look but stop importing these animals into the US-I get so disgusted reading about all this illegal animal stuff going on.
 
Sue R.
Sue R. (suerob)
4 months ago
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If you want to see an exotic reptile get off the couch and go out and see it in it's own environment.
 
D. Rene
D. Rene (mooredr3)
4 months ago
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The animals should be in their natural environment.
 
Exotics should stay in their own habitat, and not in a cage.
 
Jill6Johnson
Jill6Johnson
4 months ago
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seems this is a growing matter and there does need to be regulations on it. People need to release the responsibility and think before getting a pet of this type.
 
capt1928
capt1928
4 months ago
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Please leave our exotic pets where they belong-and that is not in a cage.
 
greenkitty44
greenkitty44
4 months ago
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I don't understand why a lot of people think it would be easy to raise a reptile. They take a lot of care....There needs to be stronger regulations on adopting such an animal.
 
I don't have any problems with others having exotic pets if they know how to care for them properly. It's just the people that release them into the wild; that really makes me mad!
 
Rebecca
Rebecca (rmsprad)
4 months ago
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It's too bad that so many reptile owners are only in it for the short haul. Problem with so many exotics being brought in is that the reptile grows, is no longer managable and is let into the wild. Remember the boa that ate the alligator in Florida?
 
Brad J.
Brad J. (BradJohnston)
4 months ago
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No matter what is done about the exotic pet trade, some people that want them will get them one way or another. But for the rest of us, maybe the pet stores could host educational classes for people that are wanting to purchase an exotic pet, before they are allowed to purchase them. If people aren't dedicated enough to go to the class then they don't get the pet. If they go to the class then they will atleast be more educated about the animals they want & understand the cost & time that is involved. Otherwise everybody that wants exotic pets that actually take care of them properly will end up not being able to have them.
 
Seana B.
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These kinds of animals are not very well suited to living in captivity. They have complex nutritional needs that often cannot be easily met. I have seen some really sad things happen to these kinds of animals when I worked in a pet store that carried exotics, on the part of the pet store and on the part of the pet owners. The bottom line is usually that people want these pets for selfish reasons, and then the pet ends up suffering. It is usually not in the best interest of the animals to be kept as pets. Even the more commonly kept reptiles, such as iguanas, anoles, leopard geckos, have a pretty high mortality rate from simple things such as inadequate or inappropriate heating gradients, a lack of mineral supplements, etc. And when pets such as iguanas do get large, they are hard to keep because they need large enclosures, females can get egg bound, they are often too much for their once dedicated owners and get dumped. I wish there was more education about the plight of these animals and less of a demand for "cool" or "unusual" pets. Animals are not accessories or social statements. They are individuals that deserve respect and have basic rights for health, and a good life.
 
melissa7271
melissa7271
4 months ago
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Definitely need some type of regulations on this. People need to be more responsible, take care of their pets, use good sense, follow the law.
 
Linda W.
Linda W. (equs2)
4 months ago
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Reptiles that are dangerous should not be kept as pets. Too many people are just not careful enough.
 
arnie
arnie (arnied)
4 months ago
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this is another thing they should leave in the natural habitat
 
they need to leave these poor creatures in their natural habitat
 
Mary P.
Mary P. (marysworld)
4 months ago
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I agree, reptiles are not companion animals. Never had one & have no desire to get one.
 
Hannanahmom
Hannanahmom
4 months ago
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Exotic animals should NOT be kept as pets. They perpetuate a cruel and money hungry black market that is only interested in exploiting these animals.
 
Seana B.
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I agree. While they are fascinating and interesting, it is generally not in the best interest of the animals to be captive pets. A life in a small aquarium or tank is certainly not an approximation of what they can have when living in their natural habitats. I always wonder what their lives must be like for them. Incredibly boring, a total lack of stimulation and natural behavior opportunities. Their natural home ranges are pretty large and varied, definitely does not translate well into living in a ten or twenty gallon aquarium without and variety for their whole lives . . .
 
hymcheng
hymcheng
4 months ago
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IMO, reptiles are not companion animals. Perhaps people just get them as a status symbol.
 
Seana B.
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After spending some time with reptiles I was pretty amazed at how interesting they really were. They definitely do not appear think the same way we do, they work very differently, but that does not mean they cannot be smart or complex. I was used to cuddly and furry animals, so it was very different. I was pretty taken aback when I house sat a few times for people with iguanas. Each one had a distinct personality, and had their likes and dislikes. Some were really personable. One enjoyed being rubbed under his chin and would close his eyes and seemed really to enjoy being "petted". Another loved to swim in the bathtub, and got excited when he or she heard the shower or water turn on. I has no idea until I saw what some reptiles they were really like.
 
Jamie
Jamie (Sadiesmygirl)
4 months ago
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If you know what you are doing then yes you should be allowed to own them. Maybe before buying them you should have to take and pay for a class.
 
JAG
JAG
4 months ago
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I agree Tracy, if you know what you are doing then you should be allowed to own them.
 
Tracy J.
Tracy J. (Tracy2008)
4 months ago
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You should be allowed to own these pets but need to know how to properly take care of them. There needs to be more education from sellers of these animals to potential owners to make sure they understand what they are getting into.
 
lexina
lexina
4 months ago
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why reptiles get some thing warm
 
haley1013
haley1013
4 months ago
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getta dog
 
theresa s.
theresa s. (mrsmack)
4 months ago
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i wouldnt want one but i wouldnt want a pig either and some people love them
 
Jessica F.
Jessica F. (frosty73)
5 months ago
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HSUS doesn't want Americans to own animals, period.
 
Seana B.
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From the HSUS site: "We celebrate pets, as well as wildlife and habitat protection. " I am not sure here you are getting that idea.
 
GRAM B.
GRAM B. (paweba)
5 months ago
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Leave the exotic where they belong, the local shelter has beautiful pets you can get.
 
Lane P.
Lane P. (TailsLane)
5 months ago
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I hope HSUS is able to get laws passed to protect reptiles as exotic animals. Can't people go to local shelters and rescue pets there?
 
NYCSmith
NYCSmith
5 months ago
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There are some serious reptile hobbyists who know how to care for these animals but in my opinion reptiles are wild animals that deserve to be free.
 
FruitLoopLucy
FruitLoopLucy
5 months ago
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Leave these animals where they should be, get a cat or dog or pet from your local SPCA.
 
Sandy
Sandy (schnzermom)
5 months ago
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I think that any poisonous snake owner should be licensed and reminded that if he gets bit, he's on his own. If people want reptiles that's fine, but they should at least be aware of reptiles' unusual needs and housing and be willing to commit to that and not turn them loose after the novelty wears off.
 
Lori M.
Lori M. (rlga)
5 months ago
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I will stick to my dog and my cat
 
Ashley A.
Ashley A. (AshleyAnna)
5 months ago
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Leave these animals in there natural environment.
 
Frankly I don't understand the idea of reptiles as pets.
 
Kirstin T.
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I think exotics shouldn't be pets. There are plenty of animals that can make great pets, we don't need to take these out of their natural envirnoment.
 
Mary T.
Mary T. (matrice)
5 months ago
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I think exotic animals should be kept in their habitats. It's not natural for them to be house pets