"A man's home is his castle". This is a widely held axiom, especially in this country where personal freedoms are so highly cherished,
but being master of one's "castle" entails responsibilities. In the case of herpers, a whole extra set of responsibilities applies.
Let's look first at legal issues. A plethora of federal, state, and in many cases local laws apply. The Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered species (CITES) is probably the best known piece of federal legislation regarding wild fauna and flora.
I think most or all serious herpers agree with CITES and its goal of providing protection for threatened and endangered species.
Many states have similar laws as well as laws to protect their citizens from captive wild animals.
Even some municipalities have laws regarding the keeping of wild animals, and unfair though it may seem, many such laws target reptiles.
In addition to the laws themselves are other legal considerations.
Some leases and rental agreements prohibit pets in general or certain animals specifically.
Also, the owners of reptiles (and other "exotic pets") are generally held entirely responsible for any problems these animals may cause, including
injuries and emotional stress.
The time to find out the specifics of these issues is before acquiring your first herp. Talk to your nearest conservation officer or natural resources person
especially if you plan to obtain your herp(s) from the wild.
Be aware that collecting plants and animals may require special permits and is often prohibited in certain areas. In Illinois, a sport fishing license is required before
taking frogs and turtles and limits apply. Naturally, obey all applicable laws and restrictions.
The next question the responsible herper must face is one of practicality. (Am I able and willing to provide all the elements necessary to properly maintain the species
I am considering?) Again, the time for this question is before getting your pet. A little foresight in this area goes a long way. Talk to reputable pet dealers (more than one
if possible and preferrably ones specializing in the type of animals you are interested in). Ask specific questions such as "How big will this animal get?" "Does it have critical, difficult to
maintain environmental needs?" "Is appropriate food for this species readily available?"
An important point here - it is never a good idea to obtain a herp (especially one of the larger species) with the idea that you can always get rid of it when it outgrows you. Pet shops are
usually reluctant to accept large animals because they present special problems of maintenance and are often difficult to resell. Zoos have their own methods of maintaining their populations
and are very unlikely to accept your "donation". Releasing non-indigenous species into the wild is an irresponsible solution. Many animals released this way are unable to cope with the new environment
and so lead a miserable existence before finally perishing. If, on the other hand, the animal thrives, this can have serious consequences to the environment. Consider the island of Guam where brown
snakes were somehow introduced. Almost without enemies on Guam, these snakes have flourished and in the process have decimated the local bird populations, completely eradicating many species from
the island. Also, releasing non-indigenous species is likely to carry some serious legal consequences.
Finally, having actually obtained your herp(s), here are a few suggestions for living with them.
1. LARGE HERPS AND SMALL CHILDREN ARE A DANGEROUS MIX. Not only myself, but many other herpers far more experienced than I advise against it.
2. HERPS SHOULD BE KEPT IN APPROPRIATE ENCLOSURES AND NOT GIVEN THE "RUN OF THE HOUSE". This becomes an important safety issue in the case of large snakes and certain lizards. I've encountered
numerous accounts of herps as "house pets" in which the situations seemed perfectly harmonious, but too many end in tragedy.
3. DON'T SURPRISE PEOPLE WITH YOUR HERPS. This may not be an apparent consideration in your own home, but it is (if nothing else) common courtesy to inform visitors and service people entering
your home of the presence of herps. This is particularly true for snakes and large lizards. I always tell people that I have snakes, that they are caged, and that they are non-venomous.
4. VENOMOUS SPECIES SHOULD ONLY BE KEPT BY EXTREMELY EXPERIENCED KEEPERS WITH VERY STRICT SAFETY MEASURES AND NOT IN A RESIDENCE. Also, in many areas, keeping venomous herps requires difficult-to-obtain
permits which pretty much restricts them to zoos and research facilities.
If we are to continue to enjoy the personal freedoms which allow us to pursue this fascinating hobby, we must respect the animals and the laws concerning them, and we must respect the rights and opinions of those
who do not share our love of reptiles. We must ALL be responsible herpers.
Also Check Out
The Responsible Herper In Public
For further reading, I recommend
The Scales of Justice by Taryn L. Hook-Merdes, Esq. REPTILES Nov 1997
