The Silent Epidemic

As a reptile rescue, we have seen the trends come and go. Fluctuations in what reptiles are "in" and what are on the down-slide. Originating countless years ago, when the reptile trade began, there was little knowledge of husbandry, and as a result, many of these reptiles died of bad practices. Let alone the fact that many of the "captive" reptiles at the time were wild-caught and forced into the pet trade. Once again, we have seen a new trend that we fear has contributed to the rise in uneducated reptile owners, the COVID-19 Pandemic. For many, this doesn't seem like a likely contributor. But let us tell you why it's the complete opposite.

The market for reptiles has exploded upon the emergence of the COVID-19 Pandemic. An increase in reptile trades, adoptions, and several beneficial occurrences have occurred within the reptile trade. But, the good also is accompanied by the harmful and destructive aspects of this population growth. We've seen an increase in the surrenders of reptiles from all various species. People had obtained these animals as a companion while being stuck at home during the Pandemic. Still, they neglected to realize the complexity of having these animals. A reptile's care requirements far exceed that of a dog or cat for several reasons. A dog or a cat, you can buy a cheap dog bed, purchase a cheap cat or dog food, it's readily available and relatively easy to find veterinary care for a cat or a dog. For reptiles, the initial startup can cost hundreds of dollars, from enclosures, heating and humidity elements, food, veterinary costs if the inevitable should arise.

Some reptiles can cost as much if not more than a designer dog or cat breed. Let's think about the life span; on average, a royal ball python or their scientific name "Python regius" can live upwards of thirty years. Let alone the fact that some tortoise species will exceed the life span of a human and can live upwards of one hundred years. Reptiles take a significant time of dedication and funds to raise. Specialized feed and are notorious for health issues from lack of variety of food.

A substantial contributor to this spike in reptile market fluctuation is pet store chains such as Petco, PetSmart, and a variety of others. Their care sheets often do not exhibit proper husbandry requirements. These practices are repeatedly proven when you go into a store and see the environments they keep many of their animals. It's been a debate for several years; it's plain and straightforward; pet stores are not generally a reliable source of knowledge when it comes to specific husbandry. Many of the items they sell may "fit" an enclosure for a limited time but are not in the animal's best interest long term.

I can't count on my fingers any longer how many times I have walked into a major pet store chain and consistently viewed royal pythons in twenty percent humidity. Dragons so tiny they are fed only a staple of "little" greens or pellets with crickets and often are missing toes and bits of their tails. They don't offer support nor knowledge on the best feeder insects, let alone the other little things that benefit the animal in the long run. The surge in uneducated reptile owners has erupted over the Pandemic of 2019 to the current situation that we are still dealing with currently. What I want you to take from this article is this: If you choose to get a pet, ensure you can afford the thousands you will spend over its lifetime, ensure you have the resources to provide the best veterinary care for its life span, and if all else fails, be one of the reptile's owners who educated themselves, don't contribute to the silent epidemic.

You can find more information on our website about our educational programs and our rescue affiliates at: https://sinisterserpents.wixsite.com/represcue