Always insist on buying Captive Bred stock

Saturday, 12 July 2003

Buying a reptile is too easy. Anyone can go into a shop hand over some cash, and walk out with a new pet. I've had the experience of bereaved pet owners coming to me, and crying on my shoulder, grieving over the loss of their new pet. Whilst I have little sympathy for most of these people, it angers me to think of the suffering that their animal went through. Lets get one thing straight from the start; there are a lot of conscientious, caring, shopkeepers out there, who give good advice, and care about their stock. If you don't take the advice given by experienced retailers, then you have very little comeback if things go wrong. If the seller tells you that a lizard needs specialist, heating, lighting, and temperature control, don't assume he's just trying to make more money from you.

Golden Rules

Research:  Borrow or buy an up-to-date reptile book, (I recommend 'Keeping & Breeding Snakes' and 'Keeping & Breeding Lizards', both by Chris Mattison, published by Blandford Press. For tortoises  try 'Keeping & Breeding Tortoises in Captivity', by Andy Highfield). Seek out expert and independent advice, (your local herpetological society is a good place to start). Talk to someone who has bred the species your interested in. Find out where your nearest specialist veterinarian is.

Build the vivarium before buying your pet: I know it sounds like common sense, but some people do impulse buy. Lodging your pet in a cardboard box in the airing cupboard in not the best way to go about things. Set your vivarium up a couple of days in advance in order to stabilise and monitor the environment.

Establish a regular source of food: Different species have their own peculiar dietary needs. You many have no objections to travelling for miles to purchase your pet, but are you prepared to repeat the journey twice a week to buy crickets or frozen rat pups? You may decide to breed (or grow) your own food source. If you are breeding animals for consumption by your pet, treat them with respect, show as much care for them as you do your long term pets.

Buy Captive Bred Stock: Think about this for a minute, if you're starting out with a pet that is suitable for beginners, surely someone must be breeding them? Why put an animal through the stress of capture and transportation unnecessarily, when you don't need to? Do you really want to risk spending you money on a reptile, when you don't know how old it is, or what parasites it may be carrying?

Don't Run Before You Can Walk: I've bred a lot of species which are considered 'difficult', but that's not how I started out. I learned by my experiences of keeping the 'easier' species. I applied that knowledge and experience, and shared and exchanged my findings with other hobbyists. Don't make expensive mistakes, start with the easier reptiles and work your way up.

Consider Other People:  Not everyone likes reptiles! You may know that a Corn Snake is harmless, but to someone with a phobia your reassurances are meaningless. Obtain the consent of those you live with before bringing a reptile into their home!

Think Of Adoption! Could you give a home to a rescued snake? For adoption details and free care sheets go to: Proteus Reptile Trust 

    Remember, reptiles are a long term commitment!

Tony Skinner email tonyskinner@onetel.net.uk

 
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