Wildlife

Wild Reptile Trade Welfare and Conservation

The global reptile trade causes significant individual welfare suffering and threatens wild populations.

Key Facts

Millions of reptiles are traded annually as pets
Wild-caught reptiles have extremely high mortality in trade
Lizards, snakes, and turtles are the most commonly traded groups
Many reptile keepers cannot meet the complex care needs of exotic species

Welfare Considerations

Wild-caught reptiles experience extreme stress during capture, transport, and holding — mortality rates of 30-70% in transit are documented. Reptiles in inadequate captive conditions suffer from thermal dysregulation, malnutrition, dehydration, and respiratory disease. Most wild-caught individuals die within a year of captivity. The welfare cost of the reptile trade is enormous and largely invisible.

What You Can Do

Only purchase reptiles with verifiable captive-bred documentation
Research care requirements thoroughly before acquiring any reptile
Support CITES regulation of reptile trade
Adopt from reptile rescue organisations rather than purchasing