Controversy Herpetoculture

there long-standing differences , disputes between herpetoculturists , professional herpetologists. professional herpetology s increasing focus on scientific research, including conservation biology, herpetologists believe herpetoculturists part of problem: collecting specimens wild live animal trade having adverse impact on wild populations. while many captive bred reptiles , amphibians offered sale @ pet stores , reptile shows such bearded dragons, corn snakes , leopard geckos, many animals sold still removed wild. complicating matter further growing problem of exotic species escaping or being released wild establish populations outside of natural ranges, becoming invasive species.

herpetoculturists respond few exceptions, wild collecting incidental , trivial compared losses resulting habitat destruction , modification, highway mortality, , killing people out of fear or ignorance. herpetologists collecting specimens preservation blamed depleting local populations. many herpetoculturists maintain animals bred in captivity wherever possible , captive breeding efforts preserve threatened species. in addition, contend herpetoculture has saved speciesfrom extinction. 1 example given crested gecko, citing while threatened in wild, species has flourished in captivity.

another controversial issue unethical captive breeding, in animals kept in sub optimal conditions in order create morphs , commonly created through intense inbreeding. prime example ball python, or royal python, sold in vast quantities.