Reptile & Amphibian Forums

(I was bound to stir up something right? lol)

I picked up the issue yersteday of Reptiles Mag...the one about the ever-so-cool Water Monitors.

One of the major topics is/was: "Lizard Breeding Projects - For Beginners".

Now, I know I have been out of the reptiles scene in over a year... but aren't people NOT supposed to breed reptiles in their own homes? Don't we have enough of them in infamous pet-stores or around the web?

I would expect a magazine like Reptiles to actually preach against private breeding... And, (get this) the species of lizards that were recommended were Leopard Geckoes (as if there aren't any to find around), Bearded Dragons (ditto), and Crested Geckoes (I was surprised, I expected the cute green Anole to be included instead).

Speaking of Anoles, another story in the magazine, covered the issue of alien anoles now thriving in Florida, negatively affecting the population of the native Green Anole.

So instead of recommending breeding of species that are too widely and cheaply available on the market...Why don't they instead suggest or encourage people to breed the disappearing green anole??? Makes more sense right?

Private breeding might be fun and rewarding... but when it includes breeding species that are already over-saturated in the exotic pet market, it is downright irresponsible and wrong.

Anyways, my humble opinion on this story.

-IJ

If you don't want PRIVATE people to breed, who do you want to breed reptiles? Big corporations? Fluker's? Or do we all have to wait and pay high prices for zoo leftovers? Or should we just buy imports?
Private breeding oversaturating the market is bad, but the alternative, importation is worse. And the third option, not being able to buy reptiles at all, is just a bummer. The issue does get a little hairier with the overbreeding of animals like burmese pythons and igs though, which end up in rescues in droves.

(My current breeding projects include cat geckos and Mueller's sand boas, but I'm just in it for the $$$)
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Peter: It's OK, I'll handle it. I read a book about something like this.
Brian: Are you sure it was a book? Are you sure it wasn't NOTHING?

Guess I'm otta practice....what I meant was..... I disagree with having John Does breed a bunch of leopard geckoes in their basement to just make a few bucks. Or young teenage kids who will then sell them in school.

The problem with private breeding is, it can easily get out of control. I don't like the big guns because many mass-"produce" these exotics in pitiful conditions.

What I like to see is people like Agama's International and others who are experienced, and are able to provide/offer high-quality animals from great breeding facilities.

There has to be a limit to a certain extent, or it will only do more harm than good to have too many of these beautiful animals around.

What I mostly disagreed on was the choice of animals they commented on. I would have encouraged breeding rare and high-priced species instead of the easily commercially available ones, such as leopards and beardeds.

It is a wicked issue, full of pros and cons, up and downs.
I just found it awkward how a magazine can first write about a disappearing NATIVE specie... and then encourage people to breed species other than the one that is endangered. I mean, the Green Anole has often been the most classical example of the start-up lizard to keep. So why not tell people how to breed them? WHy leopards? Why beardeds?

Anyways, for now there is really no-win on this one. The trend is too strong to be able to control improper or irresponsible captive breeding.

Thanx for ur input meretseger. Take care,

-IJ

It would be a GOOD thing if people get experience with common species before going on to exotic ones. Like I really really wish I had kept and bred leos before cat geckos, because I'd rather mess up an animal that vets are more familiar with than an exotic one that few people are keeping. But then you've got unwanted offspring produced by inexperienced breeders. That IS a quandary...
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Peter: It's OK, I'll handle it. I read a book about something like this.
Brian: Are you sure it was a book? Are you sure it wasn't NOTHING?

is that because these animals are so easy to breed a beginner should start with them,i agree if your going to breed you must have all the housing,hides,food,and ect. ready before you breed.

also and cause the animal is much easier to keep a bigginner wont hurt or kill thier animal due to stupidity.
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1.3 Leopard Gecko's
1.0 mali uromastyx
0.0.3 tokay's(adults unsexed)