Is there really a huge controversy over reptile ownership??

[Nellasaur]

I had a very good friend throw this article in my face literally just today as proof that I was irresponsible for keeping as many herps as I do. (I have 11 in my collection, for the record. Total.) Never mind that the herp hobby has changed a lot in the 12 years since this article was first published; that the fella being cited is clearly referring to wild-caught specimens; that all my herps are captive-bred. We exchanged some very heated words on the topic.

So this thread is timely, is what I'm saying.

[Reinz]

I had a very good friend throw this article in my face literally just today as proof that I was irresponsible for keeping as many herps as I do. (I have 11 in my collection, for the record. Total.) Never mind that the herp hobby has changed a lot in the 12 years since this article was first published; that the fella being cited is clearly referring to wild-caught specimens; that all my herps are captive-bred. We exchanged some very heated words on the topic.

So this thread is timely, is what I'm saying.

How is that this "World expert" or the author for that matter, doesn't cite one single example how reptiles are being miskept.

I do agree that many reptiles are miskept. Just peruse Craig's List and you will see plenty of animals not kept well. However, the key is proper education.

[Nellasaur]

@Nellasaur So all of this guy's reptiles died young and he's claiming to be an expert? Sounds like a load of bs. What about people who've kept reptiles for 20+ years and watched them grow to a ripe old age? I suppose they have no idea what they're talking about.

Not only that, but the "International Institute for Herpetology" doesn't seem to exist anymore and turns up next to no Google results-- one of which is this article. But I was stubborn and refusing to listen to sound advice for questioning the validity of this dude's credentials. :/

How is that this "World expert" or the author for that matter, doesn't cite one single example how reptiles are being miskept.

I do agree that many reptiles are miskept. Just peruse Craig's List and you will see plenty of animals not kept well. However, the key is proper education.

Bingooo. It really seems like this was an ill-researched or op-ed piece from a newspaper in 1994, which isn't exactly the most reliable source in the world, especially when arguing about modern husbandry practices. Plus, the more research I do into this guy, the more likely it seems that he's a total hack with a crappy agenda. SMH.