First off...Thank you to all who helped her get info on this and special thanks to W von Papineau...she really appreciated the time you took to give her articles. Sorry the punctuation is a bit messed up..it is the only way we were able to send it since the attachment didnt work. I wish she would have sent it to me before she turned it in but I think it is pretty good. Anyway, I removed my name because well...I felt like it lol. I dont know what she was really talking about with the glider thing and my quote but oh well : / (and ya I have gliders and anyone who has a comment can keep it to themselves lol...they are fun to have around lol). Enjoy the paper.
Exotics
What was your first pet? A dog? A cat? A gerbil? What about a corn snake, a sugar glider, a tiger, or a parrot? While some people find comfort in puppies and kittens, others find comfort having a snake coiled around their arm while they watch television (Gorham). There are continuing acts to restrict ownership of exotic pets. People are concerned about health, of both humans and animals, and the dangers to housing exotic animals. However, there are thousands of hobbyists with respectable arguments against these claims and a willingness to except legislation in order to preserve the ability to maintain their right. These hobbyists are dedicated to their exotic animals. Private owners should be permitted to house exotic pets. A process to gain this policy is to educate people.
For instance, what classifies an exotic animal? Exotic animals, or “exotics” as hobbyists call them, are animals “of foreign origin or character; not native; introduced from abroad, but not fully naturalized or acclimatized” (Infoplease). This may mean taking an animal out of the wild and putting them in a different part of the country. Examples of this would be the Epipedobates tricolor poison dart frog, which originally comes from Ecuador, or the Leiolaemus lava lizard imported from Chile. Both are available as pets globally, even though their habitat is slightly different (Mattison). Animals such as dogs, cats, gerbils, etc. are rarely found roaming in the wild. Much like pet stores or private dog breeders, there are exotic pet shows, private breeders, and pet stores selling exotic pets. Attending one of these shows, you may find snakes, lizards, sugar gliders, jerboas, etc., and also crickets and mice, often baby mice without hair called “pinkies,” for pet food. There are also hand made cages and aquariums for sale. The majority of the sellers at the shows are experienced hobbyists and breeders filled with information they readily share about their specific animal. There is a direct one-on-one interaction with the breeder in making a deal. Few breeders are uneducated about their hobby.
There are many concerns and criticisms about hobbyists and breeders of exotic pets. However, breeders are actually helping exotic pets and are not entirely using them just for profit. If a local zoo was asked which one was the first to breed Bushmasters in captivity or which has the best success at breeding tigers, they would reply that it was a private owner and/or breeder. In fact, many private breeders sell their exotics to local pet stores (Bertolino). In a newsletter of The Alliance of Reptile and Amphibian Hobbyists, they state that captive breeding “is the only salvation for many animals in the world” (Campbell). Captive breeding allows for less foreign pathogens and diseases to reach people because breeders are not willing to infect themselves and wish to keep their exotics healthy in order to make a sale (Campbell). To prove with further statistics, they state, “The 20 year captive breeder [for box turtles] averages 100 live, healthy youngsters, where the average female in the wild would have a possible 5 offspring living. Of reptiles born in the wild, only 1% to 7% survive the first year.” This goes to show how dedicated and, obviously, knowledgeable private breeders and hobbyists are about keeping their exotics and keeping them healthy.
Several questions are asked when making a purchase for an exotic pet. With any pet, an owner does not wish to buy an unhealthy one and the sex is of the animal is often desirable information. One argument against exotic pets is that they carry foreign diseases. Diseases that are caught by humans from animals are called zoonoses (Hubálek). However, the most common threat is that of salmonella. However, these health threats, and others, such as toxoplasmosis and rabies, are found in the majority of the common household pets as well (Bren 2). Pregnant women are warned to stay away from ordinary cat litter boxes. Contact can cause toxoplasmosis and resulting serious birth disorders to the unborn fetus. The proper feeding, especially for babies, will also be needed. Not only are breeders at the exotic pet shows to help inform, but there is a substantial number of books available to better enlighten a buyer as to the environments needed, meal schedules, and proper handling for the exotic they are interested in. Private breeders are often so dedicated to their hobby that they become quite particular about whom they sell to. Melissa Mork, a hobbyist, was quoted, “[A] person I talked to at a reptile club meeting had some baby blue beauty snakes with him, which grow 8 or so feet long, said that he was going to stop breeding them because he was afraid these alert and large snakes wouldn't receive appropriate care.” This type of situation is not uncommon. There are, of course, breeders that are only in it for the money, but there are plenty of dog breeders with the same motives. Therefore, there are regulations or permits that could be enforced worldwide.
On talking with many herpetologists and hobbyists alike, it was found that they agree on regulations or permits required for certain species. As stated earlier, there are many exotic breeders who are strict about whom they sell to and may screen their customers. This was found true by (remove my name lol), the President of the Herpetological Society at Illinois State University and a private owner of two sugar gliders, when buying his first sugar glider. Although picky, many breeders and hobbyists fear the extent that the laws may go. Brink states, “I personally see benefits of not having restricting laws on exotics. However, if a vendor fails to screen their customers and sells a tiger or taipan to someone that ends up killing a child, getting loose, or is even found caged inappropriately, then the vendor and owner should be held responsible.” There will always be an abuse issue; there is no way around it. There are various concerns about the mistreatment of exotics because many of them require specialized care. Exotics are from many different climates and can require very precise humidity levels in their caged environment. “A few degrees centigrade could mean the difference between being warm enough to look for food or freezing to death,” states Tan Lee Kuen in The Star speaking about cold-blooded animals, specifically iguanas (Keun). This is proven to be cause for mistreatment and deaths of exotics. Educating owners before a sale is one of the only ways to prevent this. However, this is true of all animals. There are many dog owners who, after the puppy faze, find themselves faced with a 100 pound beast that they are unable to control. A prime example is that of pit bull owners who have been the source of much controversy and many lawsuits. Uneducated owners will face situations that they are unable to control because of animals that are unpredictable.
In the United States, each state has its own regulations as to what types of animals are permitted. There are regulations, not only because of disease, but also because of dangers caused by the animals and fear of animals escaping in the wild. The majority of the states who have specific regulations, however, state that animals considered “dangerous” are not permitted. Everyone has their own interpretations of “dangerous,” but the most common interpretation is animals such as tigers, zebras, and venomous snakes or those over six or eight feet long. Wildlife workers are often concerned about these animals escaping into the wild and dyeing or interrupting the environment. Sue McCullough, a hobbyist, states, “When you hear about accidents with a python or boa, it's because the owners didn't have an adequate cage. Our cage is strong, with two padlocks, and my husband and I carry the keys” (Pellissier). These are the types of precautions most hobbyists undergo to maintain their animals and rights to house them. Illegal exotics that are found, though, are most likely given to local zoos for proper care. However, zoos are often worse for the animal than if it was housed with a private owner. Many private owners are hobbyists and/or breeders. Zoos offer a strict amount of funding per animal, animals are often fed less then needed and are kept in improper facilities to save money. Private owners are willing to spend what it takes to keep the animal in good health, often because they gain a sentimental attachment and bond. A news article in Vancouver, Washington by Mary Ellen Gorham reports that, “It has been reported by veterinarians that aggressive snakes become very gentle when the owners are present” (Gorham). Articles, news, and laws, as well as personal experiences and information are shared on websites like Kingsnake.com that is especially for exotic animal hobbyists. Any question a new owner may have can be asked in a forum and within days, and even hours, there will be numerous responses from private owners, hobbyists, curators for wildlife centers, etc. to answer the question to their fullest ability or guide the new owner in the right direction. As with any animal, an owner should obtain as much knowledge as possible for the well-being of the animal and owner as well.
An owner going to buy a pet without any knowledge of what they are getting themselves into can run into troublesome circumstances. There are many owners unwilling to adapt to their animals and may cause the animal harm. It is found, however, that “when it comes right down to it, few owners of potentially dangerous animals will step up and admit it,” states Delma Francis from The Star- Tribune (Francis). This concludes that most hobbyists do not own dangerous animals for the hype, but people who are likely to become the ones to abuse the privilege. Causing harm to exotics is often accidentally, but there are accounts of deliberate abuse (Pasteris). There are owners of all animals that abuse their pets. These people are often found to beat their family as well. There is little control over people of this character. There are people that misuse guns by using them for the purpose of stealing instead of protection or hobby. These people should not be permitted to purchase one, but, because of the United States gun laws, they are able to. This could be controlled. There will always be cases of people abusing power and people. These accounts should not be used against exotic pet ownership. However, certain exotics react in aggressive ways when they are mistreated or threatened.
The easy ability of exotics to harm a person is one of the main reasons they are regulated. As Gorham stated, “… aggressive snakes become very gentle when the owners are present.” This is likely because snakes find comfort in humans because of the warmth and only attack when they are threatened. If they feel threatened by someone because that person stepped on the snake or got too close to a snake’s baby, a snake, or any animal, may attack. Another reason for a mistaken attack happens at feeding time. Most reported accidents on snake attacks were found to have happened during or near feeding time. Kim Atienza, a hobbyist from Manila, brought her twenty foot python on ABS-CBN’s Morning Star to educate viewers about exotic pets, but decided it best to keep it in the bag after learning there were small animals, such as chickens, appearing on the show as well. She states, “Snakes do what snakes do best – to hunt and survive – and this should not be taken against them. It is up to us to study, learn and constantly follow the rules when embarking on our weird and wonderful hobby,” regarding her accounts (Atienza). A shaking, warm hand that smells of rodent is often mistaken for “snake food.” If an owner is careless, forgetting to wash their hands after holding their pet gerbil and then handles their python, they do not usually blame the snake for their fresh wound. According to statistics, horses, domestic dogs, and guns are found to kill more people than tigers and constrictors, a species of snake that coil around their prey in order to suffocate it before they snack (Eximel).
For tigers, “In the United States… [there is] a rate of 1.75 fatal attacks and at least nine nonfatal attacks per year… Forty-two percent of the victims were classified as visitors, and almost one-quarter of the victims were under the age of 20” (Nyhus). There are fifteen thousand tigers captive in the United States (The Tiger Paradox). On another note, “There is a dog bite epidemic in the United States… There are almost 5 million victims annually... Between 15 and 20 die per year” (Phillips). A study shows that there are “60 million pet dogs in the United States” (Payne). Therefore, statistically, only .07% of tigers and 8.3% of pet dogs in the United States are found to have attacked. All the attacks, both tiger and dog, are said to have attacked people under the age of twenty. Therefore, the tiger attacks strongly indicate that “the victims underestimated the dangers posed by direct contact” (Nyhus). This just reiterates the fact that if people were more educated about exotic animals then there will be less of a threat posed by them.
Many hobbyists today have been caring for exotics or had an interest in exotics starting at a young age. Taking really good care of exotic pets such as lizards can be difficult. The Daily Barometer in Corvallis, Oregon speaks of Kayla McCurry who was quoted, "I always kind of had a thing for reptiles since junior high… I come from a small town where we didn't have as many opportunities to see special animals." She is currently in college and working for “Brad’s World of Reptiles,” who educate students around the world with exotic showings (Pasteris). There is also Conor, of Mississippi, who was quoted in The Sun-Herald on the care for his Chameleon. The Herald said, “Conor said his chameleon was fragile and required special care. He had to spray the cage twice a day with water, but says the extra work was worth it to keep his pet healthy and safe” (Le Beau). There are many cases much like these around the world. Many hobbyists are expanding their hobby to take their exotic creatures on the road and into schools to educate children and adults (Deacon). Conor was only eleven and already willing to educate himself and take time and precautions just for the health of his pet. He found love and companionship in his chameleon just like dog owners find companionship in their “best friend.”
Most people own a pet sometime in their lives, and not everyone wishes for the same kind of animal. People look to find the perfect pet, whether a dog or a snake, to fit them personally. There are hundreds of people who find exotic pets to be better pets than domestic dogs and cats. Yes, there are dangers to exotic animals, but with the right dedication and care, the majority of those dangers can be eliminated. There should be no problems owning exotic animals as long as they are properly caged, fed, and handled.
Works Cited
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