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]

Just a little closer

[null and void]

ping

[Tax-chick]

And do they should be. They *never* bark or go charging at people minding their own business on a public street. Most reptiles don’t even have vocal chords!

(Reptile ping)

[JimC214]

I guess the Koran doesn't prohibit reptiles.

[JoeProBono]

Save me

[brytlea]

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

[Tax-chick]

Our cat had a chameleon bite her on the nose and refuse to let go once. We called it “Agnes’s hunting accident.”

[ScottinVA]

They are cute in a goofy way, aren’t they?

[Tax-chick]

Geckos have vocal cords. To me, that makes it surprising that they’d be a popular pet, since most special sleep all day and creep around being noisy at night.

[Tennessee Nana]

If it aint fluffy and cuddly you can keep it...

[JoeProBono]

"Do ANY reptiles have vocal cords?"

She wants to know if we have vocal chords

[brytlea]

Oh yeah, I forgot they can chirp. Our geckos here (south FL—I’m sure they are invasive species) don’t seem to make any noise. But I recall, as a child, living in the Philippines, hearing the chirp sort of like a cricket, at night. We would see them on the walls (yes, in the house). I thought they were cool, even then.

[brytlea]

ROFL!

[Tax-chick]

Tom just showed up and corrected himself: geckos are the only *lizards* with vocal cords. Alligators and crocodiles, as well as various amphibians, also make noise. The article doesn’t say British are keeping crocodiles, although it might not be a bad idea, since they’re not allowed to defend themselves any other way. A Burmese python would deter intruders too, I’d think.

[brytlea]

Not as cool a shot, but I did have to lay down in the drive way to capture shots of a little something between these curly tails.

[JoeProBono]

"If it aint fluffy and cuddly you can keep it..."

Mommy!

[brytlea]

I know alligators (and crocs) make noise, but I don’t think they use vocal cords. On the other hand, they are the only reptiles with 4 chambered hearts (as if you care!)

[Tennessee Nana]

Ah, you can keep that species also

:)

[Tax-chick]

It never occured to me to wonder what kind of hearts the dragons have, but it’s always good to learn a new fact. Now I’ll have to find the Bearded Dragon Handbook and see what it says :-).

[Tax-chick]

Those are cute. About 6” long?