Do reptiles make good pets?
In the USA it’s estimated around six million households have reptile pets, while in the UK there are around 8.8 million reptiles being kept.
So what is it about reptiles that makes them so popular? And do they enjoy being kept as pets?
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Citations:
Federation of British Herpetologists – 2022 survey:
https://www.thefbh.org/_files/ugd/4ca8cc_6bfcf18fdc4542b1aecc8378fa1cd1e4.pdf
American Pet Products Association (APPA) – Pet Ownership Statistics from the 2023–2024 APPA National Pet Owners Survey:
https://www.americanpetproducts.org/press_industrytrends.asp
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SCRIPT
Do reptiles make good pets?
For millions of people all around the world, the answer is a resounding yes.
In the USA it’s estimated around six million households have reptile pets, while in the UK there are around 8.8 million reptiles being kept.
So what is it about reptiles that makes them so popular?
Well, reptiles don’t need to be taken for a walk two or three times each day, so they’re great for people with busy lives.
And reptiles aren’t routinely let outdoors, so they don’t get injured in fights with rivals or run over on the road, and they won’t be killing the local wildlife and bringing home their trophy.
Also, because reptiles don’t have fur or feathers, they’re perfect for people with allergies.
But what about the reptiles themselves? Do they enjoy being kept as pets?
Well, reptiles in the wild live a pretty harsh life full of constant danger, including extreme weather conditions, natural diseases, limited food availability, and, worst of all, predators.
In captivity, most reptiles enjoy a life of luxury with plenty of food, an ideal climate and all the love and affection they could ever want. And with no predators to worry about, it's not surprising pet reptiles live far longer than their wild counterparts.
Plus, when people understand and care for reptiles, they're more likely to want to conserve these animals and their environments.
So yes, reptiles do make great pets, which is why more and more people are keeping them every year. If you’d like to keep a reptile as a pet, speak to the experts at your local reptile pet store or find a local reptile club or society. They’ll give you all the help you need to get started.
