EXOTIC PETS The landscape has changed

Today smaller animals predominate

Problems with exotic pets Animal welfare Species reduction and/or extinction, disruption of ecosystems Introduction of foreign diseases to native wildlife populations, establishment as invasive species Public health and safety Nuisance issues Cost issues (local, regional, national) Many species overlooked or ignored by existing laws

Can t Know Everything Mammals (5,516) Birds (10,426) Reptiles (10,272) Amphibians (6,199) Fish (31,500) Other (?)

Animal Welfare The welfare of an individual is their state as they attempt to cope with their environment. Welfare encompasses both the physical and psychological well-being of animals.

Animal Welfare The absence of negative emotional states (suffering) and the presence of positive emotional states (pleasure) are determinants of welfare. At a point, welfare decreases when the effort an animal puts into coping begins to make the animal feel worse.

Stresses of Captivity (Not where they are supposed to be) Restriction of natural movements and behaviours Lack of activity/exercise Violation of fight/flight distance Inability to deal with new and/or novel stressors (light, sound, temperature) New diseases and parasites Observation-related effects Stress: The consequences of the failure of the body to respond appropriately to physical or emotional threats.

Physical Impacts of Captivity Loss of condition, including musculature and cardivascular fitness Retarded growth Skeletal problems Dental problem Poor coat/skin condition, hair loss, overgrown nails/ hooves Obesity Immune system suppression/ disease Other physiological changes

Psychological Impacts of Captivity Range of unpleasant emotional states Fear/ Rage/ Panic Frustration Anxiety Boredom Deprivation Suffering Aberrant Behaviours stereotypies, (movement, oral, other), hyper-aggression, hyper-sexuality, coprophagia, lethargy

Core Quality of Life Considerations Necessities of Survival Space Complexity Social Context Stimulation/Activity

Welfare Indicators Behavioural Physiological Preference Comparison Numerous assessment tools available.

Prof GM Burghardt University of Tennessee No captive environments can ever hope to fully simulate or mimic those lived in by wild animals, even the smallest and most sedentary species. All we can really do in zoos and aquariums is to work within the parameters of controlled deprivation. Burghardt, G.M. (2013) Environmental enrichment and cognitive complexity in reptiles and amphibians: Concepts, review, and implications for captive populations. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 147:286 298.

The Precautionary Principle If an action or policy might cause severe or irreversible harm, in the absence of a scientific consensus, the burden of proof that harm will not result falls on those who would advocate taking the action. In other words: If in doubt, don t do it.

Totem Pole of Priorities 1. Seller 2. Buyer 3. Animal 1. Animal 2. Buyer 3. Seller

REPTILES Behavioural ecology and natural history should inform captive housing and husbandry.

Cognitive, emotional and social capabilities of reptiles, amphibians and fish exceed what was once thought Innateness/precocity Problem solving Use buttons Play Memory year on year Eye contact

Misconceptions about reptiles (and other exotics) Biological robots driven entirely by instinct Easy to keep Do not need space Do not need complex, flexible environments Do not need specialized environmental conditions Do not need specialized nutrition Do not experience pain, stress or suffering like mammals and birds

Reptiles have a range of needs Physical (anatomical, physiological, pain perception, injury, disease) Environmental (temperature, lighting, humidity, furnishings, landscape) Psychological (cognitive, mental, innateness) Ethological (behavioural, social, psycho-social, innateness)

Need for Space Home range studies of reptiles have frequently shown them to be highly active and that they travel either within local ranges of several hundreds of square meters or indefinite ranges measured in hundreds or thousands of kilometres.

Sagebrush lizard blends beautifully into wild environment.

Many exotic animal species and individuals are threatened by trade

Animal mortality Reptile species in trade have natural potential longevities of 8 120 years. 70% mortality in 6 weeks industry standard at some pet suppliers. 75% mortality reptiles in 1 year in home. 90%+ mortality fish in 1 year in home.

BREEDING FACILITIES

PET RETAILERS

REPTILE SHOWS

TABLE DISPLAY

SERIOUS OR EXPERT HOBBYIST

REPTILE ZOOS

MOBILE ANIMAL SHOWS & PRESENTATIONS

What you see - Lack of Space Undersized / lacks complexity / thermally simplistic / ITB

Space restricted by provision

Lack of quality space, including complexity and flexibility

Poor Environmental Conditions Thermally simplistic

Lack of shelter & privacy

Photo-invasive environments

Overcrowding (overt)

(Covert) crypto-overcrowding

EXAMPLES PUBLIC DISPLAY Undersized / lacks complexity / photoinvasive / no privacy / thermally simplistic

Undersized / lacks complexity / thermally simplistic/ photo-invasive / no privacy