Smithsonian takes a stand AGAINST reptiles & amphibians as pets..

[VoodooChile]

Information from the National Museum of Natural History
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20560

Amphibians & Reptiles as Pets

"Thousands, probably hundreds of thousands, of people keep amphibians or reptiles as pets. We understand this fascination with frogs, lizards, and other herps; however, because of it, we advocate observing them in nature and leaving them in their natural homes. We discourage anyone from keeping an amphibian or a reptile as a pet. Our no herp-as-pet stance includes local as well as foreign species." Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Division of Reptiles and Amphibians
You can read the rest at:
THIS LINK

[DynastyGeckos]

no thanks, how dare they= [

[Bluzmn59]

I have come to expect every entity in Washington, D.C. to do the exact opposite of what would make me happy - no matter what the subject.

[fishmommy]

I respect that point of view, to be honest.
the pet trade in general results in a lot of suffering and even extinction and habitat destruction.

however, I do keep fish, reptiles, and mammals as pets so I have some internal conflict. every thing a person does on this earth hurts something else....you just cant win, so you just try to balance your interests against the planet's interests.

luckily the pet trade does some good as well, so it's not all bad news. some species exist purely in the pet trade now, since their habitat is long destroyed (Victorian fish species are a good example of this)

many pets live long and healthy lives in captivity - better than they would in the wild. the fact is that nature is very cruel - and as education gets better perhaps the pet trade will be less cruel than nature...I hope for that!

[X-Factor]

What that article is attempting to do is destroy the pet INDUSTRY. NOT so much private ownership because of poor husbandry in the pet stores. This is actually a smart move on the Smithsonian's part. It even said "if you must own a herp, consult LOCAL clubs or ONLINE groups" or something like that. Essentially, Do it RIGHT or not at ALL. Well Done Smithsonion!

[sarecho7280]

Originally Posted by fishmommy

I respect that point of view, to be honest.
the pet trade in general results in a lot of suffering and even extinction and habitat destruction.
however, I do keep fish, reptiles, and mammals as pets so I have some internal conflict. every thing a person does on this earth hurts something else....you just cant win, so you just try to balance your interests against the planet's interests.
luckily the pet trade does some good as well, so it's not all bad news. some species exist purely in the pet trade now, since their habitat is long destroyed (Victorian fish species are a good example of this)
many pets live long and healthy lives in captivity - better than they would in the wild. the fact is that nature is very cruel - and as education gets better perhaps the pet trade will be less cruel than nature...I hope for that!

that applies to all pet trades. anytime there is money to be made, there are people to do whatever it takes to make the most.
what's more regulated, the reptile industry or the domestic cat industry? fish? birds?
there are more mammal laws than anything, BUT, within a few years the number of laws concerning reptiles should easily pass that by.
like i've been saying, reptile OWNERSHIP up over 40% since 2000, reptile KNOWLEDGE about the same.
the business side of things has not only taken over the "hobby" but also nearly ruined it.

all this article means is that the smithsonian is as easy to buy off as anyone else.

[X-Factor]

....hence all the legislation both pending and enacted.

[sarecho7280]

Originally Posted by X-Factor

What that article is attempting to do is destroy the pet INDUSTRY. NOT so much private ownership because of poor husbandry in the pet stores.

....we advocate observing them in nature and leaving them in their natural homes.


until "nature" is defined as a cage in one of our homes, they're pretty much against me or you keeping them.