Reptile Business Booms As Demand Increases For Unique Pets
Posted April 11, 2008 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
When we hear the word ‘pet’ most of us conjure up images of finicky felines asserting their independence or fiercely loyal dogs taking on the dual roles of protector and best friend. But more and more people are choosing less conventional creatures to cohabitate with. Whether it’s Satanic Leaftail Geckos, Flying Tree Frogs, or slithering Pythons, reptiles and amphibians are no longer the feared curiosities that were once relegated to being used as props in heavy metal videos and horror film shoots.
Grant Crossman can attest to the growing popularity of the unique and awe-inspiring critters. His store, Port Credit Pet Centre, boasts Canada’s largest selection of reptiles, amphibians, and arachnids, many of which will be on display at the Ontario Reptile And Aquatics Expo, scheduled for April 13th in Mississauga.
“Reptiles are the fastest sector within the pet trade for growth,” Crossman explains.
“It’s the only department in North America that has shown double digit growth in the last three years. Six percent of all households in the U.S. now own a reptile…in Canada it’s probably about 4 percent.”
“You can thank things like Crocodile Hunter, The Discovery Channel, everything that is really exposing the nature and the tame side,” he adds.
Increased education and exposure has shattered many of the frightful stigmas attached to the likes of fork-tongued snakes and hairy spiders, and now people are enjoying them in a household environment.
“Being that they are all captive-bred they are all domesticated. They are bred specifically for handling as well as for being a great pet at home,” Crossman notes.
And while they may not ‘fetch’ or ‘shake a paw’, many reptiles can interact on an intimate level with their owners. They are also relatively easy to care for.
“Reptiles are not a high demand pet like a dog or a cat,” he stresses. “A Bearded Dragon is one of the most affectionate lizards out there. A lot of people that have children with Down Syndrome or some type of disability will work with a Bearded Dragon because they seem to interact on a greater level.”
Depending on the species you choose, they can often stick, and slide, around for quite some time. “Most reptiles will live in captivity for 7 to 13 years, some of the turtles will exceed 50 to 75 years.”
They also drastically vary in price, meaning there’s something to suit everyone’s bank account.
“Come down to the Expo and you can see anything from the entry level Leopard Geckos for $15 up to some (species) that will exceed $75,000 in value.”
