by Wes Pollock

Created on: January 17, 2009   Last Updated: November 26, 2010

The most obvious reason for not keeping reptiles and amphibians for pets is because they are gross. Frogs are all slimy and icky and snakes are scaly move so very quick, toads have warts and turtles swim in their own poop. They're scary creatures to be sure.

And let us not forget that if we don't keep them for pets, reptiles and amphibians that is, we won't ever know the joy of seeing an animal kept happy and healthy for many years with a minimum of effort on our part. If we don't keep them, we'll never suffer the frustration of research into habitat and food requirements, never learn how to delve into a stack of books about reptiles or amphibians in general and ferret out the bits about the particular creature to be kept, never know the wonder of introducing a pair and having them reproduce viable offspring.

Yes, far better to label them as they are. Creatures that are best left alone. Ignore the breeders out there who have successfully reproduced five or ten or even fifteen generations of a particular species of lizards or snakes, tortoises or frogs. Their success, the success of countless thousands of others, should be ample evidence that there is no further need to keep them for pets. It's been done already, why do it again?

Who cares if little Johnny Apple will never see a lizard regenerate its tail thereby spurring him into research that eventually leads to humans being able to regrow lost limbs. What does it matter that Jenny Peachpit never learns that pythons have heat sensing pits on their lips and so never pursues the research that would lead to temperature probes so small and accurate that they helped monitor patients with brain tumors, her having pioneered a new treatment micro-heating carcinoma cell by cell.

And let's not even mention Abner Correlstone, who would have pioneered a synthetic skin for burn victims that he would have begun research on because watching his frog shed and eat its skin intrigued him.

Watching a child, helping that child research the habitat and food requirements, putting together a set up designed specifically for that researched creature, being part of a fun learning experience that may well teach lessons that last a lifetime; insignifigant. That's what schools are for. No need for slimy gross creatures that are not cute or fuzzy.

Far better to be if not afraid of these animals then to at least have a serious dislike of them. The pure pleasure of having a pet that does require thought and care to keep properly is also severely over rated. Why would anyone want that satisfaction? Thinking is hard.

The simple fact that they are legally available, are sold in pet stores at sales around the country specifically for the sale of reptiles and amphibians, and by the very people who produce them in captivity should in no way be taken into account. Just because there is a thriving market for something in no way makes it a good thing. Knowing that the number of reptile veterinarians has increased dramatically in the last few years, indicating a need, should also be of no concern. After all, why know where to take an animal you'll never have? The simple fact that there are a plethora of rodent and insect breeders out there waiting to feed the pet you will never have, making getting the proper food as simple as a phone call or email, should also be completely ignored. What consequence the ease of supply acquisition?

Indeed, keep them not.

Learn more about this author, Wes Pollock.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.