Are farm bred reptiles good?

Is the reptile skin trade sustainable?

From a conservation standpoint, there is evidence that the reptile skin trade is sustainable for some species and in some contexts, but other research suggests that the trade could be decimating wild populations and doing more harm than good.

Should reptiles be kept in captivity or wild?

The main crux of the argument for captive bred reptiles lies in the arguments against Wild Caught. Tanya Vennet looked at it from a health and wellbeing standpoint: wild caught reptiles “have had the taste of freedom, to catch and cage is very stressful for the animals”.

What percentage of pet reptiles die in captivity?

An estimated 90% of wild-caught reptiles die in their first year of captivity because of physical trauma prior to purchase or because their owners cannot meet their complex dietary and habitat needs. Reptiles are among the most inhumanely treated animals in the pet trade.

Is there a system to combat China’s growing reptile trade?

China is a fast-growing market for pet reptiles and amphibians but has no system to combat trade in wild-sourced reptiles, amphibians, and insects. Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

What animals are used in the reptile skin trade?

A wide range of species is used in the reptile skin trade-from spectacled caimans (Caiman crocodilus) to reticulated pythons (Malayopython reticulatus) and oriental rat snakes (Ptyas mucosa) to Asian monitor lizards (Varanus salvator).

How big is the reptile industry?

The reptile trade is a multimillion-dollar industry, with the trade of raw skins accounting for about $295 million in 2019, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), an authority on international trade data.

Did a high-end department store in the UK sell ‘shoes made from reptiles’?

Shoes, watches, wallets and bags — anything made from exotic reptile skins — were plucked from the shelves in Selfridges, a high-end department store in the U.K., in February 2019.

Is the reptile skin trade good or bad for the environment?

He says the reptile skin trade can help, rather than hinder, conservation efforts. “Counterintuitively to a lot of folks, the trade in exotic skins is actually assisting conservation of many wildlife species, but certainly for reptiles,” Natusch tells Mongabay in an interview.

Why are reptile farms bad for animals?

Captive-bred specimens command higher prices, but wild-caught animals are cheaper to produce, so there is often a strong incentive for farms to laun­der wild-caught reptiles. Unfortunately, reptile farms are often difficult to regulate and open to abuse. Regardless of where reptiles are farmed, they may experience a variety of welfare problems.

What are some of the most in demand reptiles?

Some high demand reptiles, such as red-eared slider turtles and green iguanas, are produced on farms in the United States, Latin America and Africa.

How many reptile species are traded?

We combined all three data sources, across all years, to produce an overall list of 3943 traded reptile species—36% of all reptile species. Though around 30% of reptile species have not been assessed for their IUCN RedList status, we can still explore the intersection of trade and threatened status.

Are reptiles protected by international laws?

Many species of reptiles are also covered under various European and international laws, such as the Berne Convention and CITES regulations which are designed to protect endangered animals and prohibit trade in wild-caught specimens.

Are reptile farms a solution to the world’s animal welfare problems?

These farms have been touted as a way of sustainably pro­ducing reptiles for the pet trade while reducing demand for wild-caught animals. Unfortunately, farms are not the solution to reptile conservation problems or to concerns about animal welfare.

What are the disadvantages of keeping reptiles in captivity?

All captive reptiles should be provided with an opportu­nity to engage in a full range of natural movements and species-typical behaviours. Suppression of these activities can lead to problematic physical condi­tions, frustration, chronic stress and suffering. Captive-breeding is not the panacea it is often made out to be.

What does captive born reptiles do?

Captive Born Reptiles is one of the nation’s largest retailers of captive born reptiles and amphibians. As a breeder of reptiles for over 30 years, we have quality animals as well as a full line of reptile and amphibian care products, including caging, lighting, bedding, books, and live or frozen mice, rats,…

What are captive bred animals?

Captive Bred animals are animals which are born and raised in captivity outside of their country of origin. WC reptiles may have their place as breeding animals to help sustain captive populations but do not make ideal pets. These animals often harbour parasites and can carry a host of diseases.

Is China’s live wildlife trade safe for humans?

In reality, many Chinese can’t relate. At a wildlife market in Shenzhen, vendors display live reptiles and mammals for sale. In China, 54 species can be traded legally for human consumption. The coronavirus outbreak has thrust the live wildlife trade into the international spotlight.

Why are reptiles often hunted for skins?

(Error Code: 102630) Reptiles are often hunted for skins in poor regions where there are few other options to make money. Natusch says that allowing limited hunting of these animals means they become valued by people who would otherwise have little interest in keeping them alive.

What are the different types of reptiles that are bred in captivity?

Various geckos, chameleons, bearded dragons, corn snakes and Burmese pythons are among the reptiles most commonly bred in captivity. Reptile breeders generally claim that their animals are healthy, free from parasites and disease and a better overall choice for consumers than are wild-caught animals.

Is reptile trade harmful to threatened species?

Pronounced gaps in regulation imply trade is having unknown impacts on numerous threatened species. Gaps in monitoring demand a reconsideration of international reptile trade regulations. We suggest reversing the status-quo, requiring proof of sustainability before trade is permitted.

How many reptile species can you legally buy online?

The researchers tallied 3,943 species, or 36 percent of all known reptile species, for sale online. Most were those that are legal to trade as pets. But the question of whether a given species can be legally sold internationally is not automatically linked to its conservation status.