UK:Reptiles now more popular pets than dogs

telegraph ^

[JoeProBono]

Calculations by the British Federation of Herpetologists (BFH) indicate that there are now as many as eight million reptiles and amphibians being kept as pets in the UK. This compares to an estimated dog population of 6.5 million.

The growth in reptile numbers is so rapid that within years they will overtake the country's nine million cats to become Britain's most popular pets. Chris Newman, chairman of the Federation, said: "There are now, without question, more pet reptiles than pet dogs in the UK. You only have to look at the way the market has grown. I have no doubt that there are now between seven and eight million reptiles living as pets in the UK.

[JoeProBono]

Back off Jake

[Verginius Rufus]

Now I understand why the GEICO gecko has that British accent.

[JoeProBono]

[GOPJ]

I had a very large snake in my yard - I live on the edge of a mangrove - I called some wildlife people. I thought it was a diamondback - a large one - 8 to 10 feet and as thick as a medium size log. They said no, not on a mangrove. Coral snakes and pigmy rattlers, but not many diamondbacks.

Then the kicker - people are letting their exotics lose when they get tired of feeding and taking care of them. And Florida is a perfect place for them to breed. Most likely it was some kind of exotic. Probably a python... or worse.

We need restrictions on some of these animals. They're like slithering kudzu...

[JoeProBono]

"We need restrictions on some of these animals. They're like slithering kudzu... " Know what you mean. Can't find my giant eagle

[JoeProBono]

[alecqss]

Exactly...

[brytlea]

hehehe

[Titan Magroyne]

Awesome photos on this thread!

All the same, I prefer the warm fuzzies. Pinging a coupla fellas who may also enjoy this thread as much as I.

[Daffynition]

Ahhh... finally the definitive translation: “Love me love my snake” = (Que me amat, amet et canem meum)

[Slings and Arrows]

Reptiles fit today's modern lifestyles as they are less time-consuming, and can also be easier to keep, than other traditional pet species."

And they can Rock 'n' Roll!

[WFTR]

Very nice! Is that yours?

[WFTR]

Do ANY reptiles have vocal cords? That would be interesting to know!

I don't know whether they have vocal cords that are exactly like mammalian vocal cords, but crested geckos bark when they are mating and occasionally when they are angry about something.

[WFTR]

Nice cham! What species is that? I have a buddy who keeps veiled chams.

[WFTR]

Great dragon picture!!!

[WFTR]

There are now major restrictions on reptiles in Florida, and Hawaii has always had major restrictions. Outside those two states, very few of the common pet species could live and reproduce in the wild. Maybe boa constrictors could live in a fairly large part of the south, but I've never heard of any feral populations outside Florida. Ball pythons likely couldn't survive in Florida and certainly couldn't survive anywhere above the Keys. The Burmese pythons are reproducing in Florida, but feral populations have never survived anywhere else. Except for the very big pythons, most species in the pet trade reproduce too slowly to survive even if they could incubate eggs north of Miami.

Bill

[WFTR]

Katrina

Elvis

Ester Lily

Cookie

Rocket

Duncan

Ellie

[MeekOneGOP]

haha!

That YouTube is GREAT! :^D

Dancing Chameleon Getting Rythm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdbSikEtjDQ

[JoeProBono]

Nice family. What’s for Thanksgiving?

[Slings and Arrows]

Glad you enjoyed.