The Reptile Keeper: A Letter to the General Public

Mar 3, 2016

10 min read

In the 21st century, one would think that others would be much more open minded about things. “Live and let live” seems like it should be a more readily accepted philosophy. Yet, unfortunately, people who find interests in things that are outside of the norm are still looked at as “weirdos” and “odd-balls”. Reptile keepers tend to fall into this category for a great many of the general public. They find interest in animals that can’t fetch a ball, don’t appear to be happy to see you, and won’t bark at intruders. In addition to that, there’s a stereotype that is often applied to reptile keepers; one that paints them all as hippies, drug dealers/addicts, tattooed and pierced all over their bodies, or Satan worshipers. In reality, reptile keepers are a wide and varied bunch. There’s greater diversity between the types of people who keep reptiles than there likely is collectively across the globe. Different people from all walks of life, religious beliefs, and careers keep reptiles as pets in their dwellings. Reptiles are becoming more and more popular among individuals with allergies, time commitments, or, in some instances, spacial constraints. Surely, there must be much more to the story.

Why Reptiles? Reptiles are unique and intriguing animals. Each species fits a specific niche in the ecosystem and they have specific biological traits which enable them to survive in that environment. Not all “pets” require interaction opportunities like playing, fetching balls, cuddling on the couch or learning tricks. Reptiles offer little in the way of affection, but they do make up for it with interesting habits and behaviors which make them fun to observe. Different species have different food preferences and different methods of securing said food. They have different behavioral characteristics, often influenced by temperature or time of year. Reptiles come in all sizes, shapes and colors. Some are easy to care for, while others are more complex. Much the same as different dog breeds. Some dogs are easier to care for by someone who isn’t physically active and others are best suited for someone that has an active lifestyle. Some can be kept in an apartment dwelling, while for others it is recommended to have a house and a sizeable yard. There is a type of reptile to suit the needs of each kind of person!

But Can’t Reptiles Be Dangerous? As stated above, reptiles come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors. Most species are small and aren’t capable of inflicting any serious wounds. Some can attain quite large sizes and under the right circumstances are capable of inflicting serious injuries or even causing death. However, the same goes for those who keep horses, cattle or even some larger breed dogs. Human deaths have been attributed to each of the aforementioned annually, and in numbers that far surpass reptiles, captive or otherwise. Even among the reptiles that are capable of taking a life, their ownership is much like driving a car. It’s only as dangerous as YOU make it. Experienced keepers have been more than successful at maintaining these animals without conflict for decades. While it is not recommended to jump into keeping more advanced species before you’re ready, maintaining them is not at all impossible and has been done successfully for quite some time. Research and patience is key.

Wouldn’t They Be Happier Back in the Wild?

While it comes as no surprise that the initial specimens which started the current reptile pet trade were captured from the wild, the vast majority of the current captive animals are captive produced and not just by a single generation. Many have been here for decades, through many generations of captive breeding efforts. These animals have never been in the wild. While survival instinct with reptiles (unlike mammals) is genetically integrated, and there is little doubt that they could survive if released into the appropriate environment, these animals do not live a lavish lifestyle in the wild. In captivity (and under proper care), they are given regular meals, regular access to clean water, veterinary care when necessary, and no parasitic infestations plague them. They are not subjected to habitat loss or predation. They are not killed by deforestation or by locals who simply don’t like them because they’re a reptile. Life in the wild is tough. There’s no guarantees on food access. Even unsuccessful predation attempts result in physical injuries that these animals have to suffer with for prolonged periods of time (if not permanently). Captive animals don't have to worry about fighting for territory. Captivity may not be perfect, but well established specimens do just fine and have proven to have a longevity much greater than their wild counterparts. In fact, there are many instances in which the captive populations of a reptile species far surpasses that of their wild counterparts. Private keepers, in some cases, are even aiding in conservation breeding programs.

Why Have I Heard That Reptiles Make Horrible Pets?

Special interest organizations repeatedly make false claims about exotic animal keepers. Reptile keepers in particular are often at the forefront of their attacks. Organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Born Free USA, and a number of others fight against the private possession of alternative pets. They greatly exaggerate claims of deaths from more challenging species, and even when they’re being honest on the numbers, they do their best to blow everything out of proportion. They take isolated cases of unscrupulous dealers who have been caught illegally importing species and make it sound as if it is common practice in the reptile trade. As with ANY industry, there are “bad actors” who cast a dark shadow over the rest of us. However, the vast majority of breeders and dealers take pride in their animals. They ensure that their animals get the very best, because ensuring that makes near certain that any offspring produced will be of higher quality and have a higher chance of survival when sold. Many of these animals tend to be easier to start on captive bred food sources (usually captive bred, humanely euthanized rodents, etc.) and also tend to be much more personable. An animal born into a captive setting, knows only captivity. Their caretakers are what they are familiar with and the stress factor is greatly reduced. Additionally, even with the more dangerous reptiles there are to keep, the only truly dangerous part about them is the hype they get from the media. The grand majority of these animals have little desire to do their keepers any harm. This is no different from wild specimens, which also don’t wish to inflict harm on people. They merely defend themselves when provoked, nothing less and nothing more. There are occasions when a keeper falls complacent or tries to push the boundaries of their relationship with the animal they keep and occasionally this can result in severe injuries…or worse. This is no different than those with livestock and horses. In both cases, this is a personal choice by those who choose to keep them and the risk is well known. It is also similar to driving a motor vehicle. People have car accidents every single day, and people lose their lives every single day, due to these accidents. Drivers know full well that this can happen the minute they step into their vehicles and turn the ignition. Reptile keepers are no different and have simply accepted a different liability.

But What About the Public? Aren’t Reptiles A Danger to Us?

Most reptiles that are kept as pets are entirely harmless. Of course, anything with a mouth can bite and if they have claws, they’re capable of scratching. The same goes for dogs and cats. People are repeatedly taken into ER’s to be treated for dog and cat bites. In fact, dog bites are much more severe than the grand majority of reptile bites. However, for argument’s sake, we’ll focus on the main areas of concern. These include large predatory reptiles, venomous reptiles and the concern of salmonella.

Large predatory reptiles are generally capable of doing some serious damage if handled in a manner lacking the necessary respect. However, they are not vicious, or malicious creatures that are out to hunt and kill anything that moves. Reptiles are the ultimate energy conservationists. They only use energy to secure a meal, and only when it is necessary. Most of the time, these meals consist of smaller prey, not animals that tower above them. In the off-chance one of these animals was to escape or be released, the risk to you and your family is essentially non-existent.

Venomous reptiles are a category all within themselves. The reason for this is because the method of properly caring for them is a bit different. Venomous snakes and lizards should only be kept by experienced keepers who understand the occupational hazards and precautions involved with keeping these animals. These keepers have undergone thousands of hours of training with an apprenticeship in order to even legally obtain them. Venomous reptile keepers utilize an escape-proof room and the animals themselves are also kept in locked cages. When cleaning their cages, the animals are handled with special tools that enable them to safely maneuver the animal into a secondary lockable holding cage until their primary enclosure is cleaned. Once the enclosure is cleaned, the process is reversed and the animal is placed back within its primary confinement. But, of course, the question remains… what if one were to escape? Isn’t this a danger to everyone around them? The truth of the matter is that these animals have as little desire to be anywhere near you as you would them. They have no desire to have a confrontation with you and if you obey the same guidelines as you would to stay safe from your native venomous snakes, you would be in no danger in these cases either. We must reiterate that only experienced keepers with proper resources should have, or even consider keeping, venomous reptiles. When encountering a snake in the wild:  Do not approach any snake that you can’t readily and confidently identify.  Do not place hands and feet under or behind anything which you can’t easily see underneath or around. Snakes like to hide in darker, tight spaces to stay away from predators. Placing your hand in their hiding spot makes them think they are being pursued, which can result in a defensive bite.  When a snake is spotted, keep all pets and kids away from it. Keep a watchful eye on where it goes and if you find it necessary, contact a snake removal specialist to capture and relocate it. If you can follow the above steps, you can stay safe from any snake…native or otherwise. The most dangerous snake is the one not seen. If you can see them, you can stay safe from them and they can stay safe from you.

What About Salmonella? I Mean, That’s A Pretty Major Concern With Reptiles, Right? When it comes to salmonella, it’s a potential concern regardless what animal you have. This includes dogs and cats. In fact, you’re at a greater risk of it with dogs and cats. Salmonella is shed in the fecal matter of practically all animals, including humans. Dogs are capable of transmitting salmonellosis through fecal matter and saliva when they are infected. The concern with reptiles and salmonella was an issue back in the 1970s, mostly from turtle farms. Farmed turtles were fed raw chicken meal in their ponds which resulted in salmonella transmission. This is no longer a practice and as such the concern is no longer an issue. Further, basic good hygiene practices are all that is required to avoid salmonella transmission to humans. If children handle reptiles, taking care that they wash their hands afterwords should be routine. This simple protocol will prevent a salmonella infection from ever being a concern.

What About the Burmese Pythons in the Everglades? Isn’t This the Result of Irresponsible Reptile Owners? While the topic of non-native/invasive species is one that would require an article all within itself, it’s important to understand that this is not as simple as the media is making it out to be. While technically the initial release of Burmese pythons came from captive stock, it is NOT due to irresponsible pet owners releasing their animals. An importer/breeder facility in South Florida was hit by Hurricane Andrew in 1992. The destruction of that facility resulted in the initial release of approximately 900 baby Burmese pythons. Those animals were the ones that started the initial population explosion.

Unfortunately, the "science" behind their establishment and projected expansion were incredibly flawed. Yet this flawed science, which did NOT even undergo true peer-review, was passed along as infallible fact. The situation surrounding pythons in the Everglades is more political than it is scientific. Again, we would require an entire article dedicated to this topic to address all the points, but until then, we hope you’ll be mindful of the reality that not everything the media tells people is the truth.

What Value Do Pet Reptiles Have For the Rest of Us?

Sulcata Tortoise with kids. Roaming Reptiles of Louisiana

One important reason why reptile pets are so valuable is education. People have feared snakes and other reptiles since our origins. Most of this is due to the unknowns. Natural fear of what we don’t understand has perpetuated a hatred for reptiles, especially snakes, by mankind for as long as we can remember. Responsible interaction with these animals has opened MANY eyes to the world of reptiles. Without captive representatives of these animals, most people would not have any clue as to the expansive variety of reptiles to be found around the world, or even in their back yards. Giving people the ability to experience these animals up close and personal has even opened many eyes to their plight and has gathered more support for their conservation needs. The ability to connect people with these animals and understand them better makes all the difference in the world of conservation. Captive reptiles become ambassadors for their species, gaining public interest and awareness in the areas of pollution, deforestation, and more. Reptile ambassadors provide a face to these highly policital issues about which most people would never give a second thought. Further, a number of reptile enthusiasts utilize money earned through captive breeding efforts to fund conservation projects in other parts of the world in a direct response to the severe lack of funding given from that animal's local governments and organizations.

Reptile owners ARE the advocates for these animals. In some cases, we are the ONLY voice they have. The animals themselves do much of the work on their own once people get to experience them first hand. Reptile keepers are not odd-balls and weirdos, we simply have a more open mind to the amazing creatures found all over the world. We are beguiled by their biological designs, habits and behaviors, and many have dedicated their professional careers to showing that world to the rest of humanity. Please stand with us in our fight to preserve our rights to continue to be the voices for these animals. While every group has their troublemakers and bad apples, collectively our hearts are in the right place and we try to do amazing things for these animals in their natural environments. We want our children and our children’s children to be able to take a trip across the world and see reptiles in their natural habitats because we did something about it TODAY to make that possible. Help make a difference. Right now, special interest groups are making their case against reptile owners, but that is just the start. If you give animal rights activists the opportunity, they will build cases against “domestic” pet owners as well, and it as already begun. Reptile keepers are simply an easy target. However, we stand firm in our conviction that reptile owners are a valuable asset to conservation and education and we will continue to fight as it is the only hope these animals have left.

DONATE to help us support our cause!