All In The Family: Maine Mother & Son Charged in Massive Drug Bust
A Herpetologist Reveals The 3 'Hottest' Pet Reptiles—And 4 That Have Fallen Out Of Fashion
Finding good data to determine trends in the exotic reptile pet trade is hard to do. Here's how one ... [+] researcher tapped Google's data to solve this problem.
gettyA recent article published in the academic journal Animals suggests that bearded dragons–a medium-sized Australian lizard known for their distinctive "beard" of spikes under their chin (pictured above)–are the most popular animal in the exotic pet reptile market, followed by ball pythons and leopard geckos.
On the other hand, four reptiles whose popularity has waned over the past decade are green iguanas, Burmese pythons, chameleons and red-eared sliders.
The ball python was rated as the second most popular pet reptile according to a recent study that ... [+] analyzed data from Google Trends. Their popularity is due to their small size, docile nature, ease of care, and the variety of designer morphs available, such as the "piebald" morph pictured here
getty"Reptiles are one of the most popular exotic pets in the world, resulting in a quickly growing billion-dollar pet industry," says Jose Valdez, the lead author of the research. "Their popularity as pets has made reptiles one of the most common animals in the wildlife trade, with evidence suggesting that over a third of all described reptile species are actively bought and sold around the world."
Despite the size of the market, tracking the buying and selling of exotic pet reptiles is notoriously hard to do.
"The most common pet reptiles are typically non-threatened, captive-bred, and are domestically obtained, which means they are largely unregulated and unmonitored, resulting in a large portion of the reptile pet trade remaining unknown," says Valdez.
To understand this largely hidden market, the researchers examined data from Google Trends–using Google search volumes to measure and understand the popularity of pet reptile species over time. They combined this information with survey data, in which they asked 91 reptile enthusiasts to rank the most popular reptiles in the reptile pet market–both now, in the past, and what they anticipated would happen in the future.
It's no surprise that the leopard gecko is ranked as the third most popular pet reptile; they are ... [+] both adorable and hardy in captivity.
gettyWhile there were some subtle differences between the results of the survey and the Google Trends analysis, both methods returned the same top three reptiles: bearded dragons, ball pythons and leopard geckos.
"This reptile [bearded dragon] has remained popular due to its appearance, personality, manageable size, and docile temperament," says Valdez. "They are also the most attractive reptile for family and kids as they are relatively easy to handle, omnivorous, eat similar foods as humans, and relatively active during the day."
Ball pythons, Valdez suggests, are the most popular pet snake due to their docile, low-maintenance disposition, small to medium size and easiness to handle. Leopard geckos are also especially popular due to their hardiness, small size and relative ease of care.
Here are the top ten most searched reptiles according to the Google Trends analysis:
Looking to the future, survey respondents thought that blue-tongued skinks, tegus, uromastyx lizards, crested geckos and ball pythons would show the greatest increases in popularity over the decade.
Valdez finds the crested gecko of particular interest, as its popularity has increased three-fold over the past two decades. The crested gecko has the interesting history of having been thought to be extinct for over a century until it was rediscovered in New Caledonia in 1994.
The New Caledonian crested gecko, pictured here, has gained significant popularity in the pet trade ... [+] due to its unique appearance, low maintenance requirements, and friendly temperament. This species was thought to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1994.
getty"Google Trends can be a useful tool for determining relative popularity among reptile pets, or other animal groups, with results closely mirroring those obtained through surveys," says Valdez. "However, unlike surveys, this analysis is quick, quantifiable, and can show what is popular and in-demand not only at the global level but at finer scales. Google Trends can also be a valuable technology for many other applications, especially research areas that may otherwise be difficult to monitor or quantify."
Meet The Dazzling Gecko That Went From 'Extinct' To 8th Most Popular Pet Reptile
The crested gecko is the second most popular pet gecko, behind the leopard gecko. Here's the story ... [+] of how it became so famous in the exotic pet reptile trade.
gettyA recent study published in Animals identified the dazzling crested gecko as the eighth most popular pet reptile, according to data extracted from a Google Trends analysis.
Here is the list of the top 10 most searched reptiles, from the paper:
The crested gecko's current popularity in the pet trade conceals its fascinating history as a ... [+] species once thought to be lost.
gettyIt's no surprise to see the crested gecko on this list. They are low-maintenance compared to many other reptiles, as they do not require special UVB lighting and can thrive at normal room temperatures. Their docile nature makes them particularly well-suited for beginner reptile enthusiasts. Being nocturnal creatures, they are active and engaging during the evening hours, which can fit well into many owners' lifestyles.
With proper care, crested geckos can live for 15 to 20 years or even longer, providing long-term companionship. They come in a wide array of colors and patterns, making them visually appealing pets. Their compact size, typically reaching around 8 inches in length, means they don't require a large amount of space. Their diet primarily consists of a powdered mix combined with water, offering convenience without the need for live insects (although these can be given as occasional treats).
Overall, crested geckos are charming, relatively easy to care for, and can bring years of enjoyment to their owners.
However, the story of how the it became one of the most popular pet reptiles is something of an aberration, especially considering that the crested gecko—native to the island country of New Caledonia—was presumed extinct up until the 1990s. Here's the history behind the crested gecko's emergence as one of the most popular pet reptiles.
Discovery Of The Crested GeckoSunset landscape on the hills around Noumea, New Caledonia, the southwestern Pacific island nation ... [+] where the crested gecko originates.
gettyThe crested gecko (Correlophus ciliatus) was first documented to science in 1866 by French zoologist Alphone Guichenot, who based his findings on specimens collected from the islands of New Caledonia in the southwest Pacific Ocean. Guichenot noted the distinctive features that would later become iconic for the species, including its unique crested "eyelashes" and arboreal habits. This early documentation provided a foundational understanding of the crested gecko's morphology and ecology.
Guichenot's discovery placed the crested gecko among the notable reptilian fauna of New Caledonia, a region renowned for its biodiversity.
Initially, there was some confusion surrounding the classification of the new species and other similar geckos. It was first placed in the Correlophus genus of geckos but was then moved to the Rhacodactylus genus, which included other geckos from New Caledonia. Later, genetic testing showed that Rhacodactylus did not accurately reflect the evolutionary relationships among New Caledonian geckos, and the initial classification (Correlophus) was revived to include the crested gecko and two other close relatives from New Caledonia.
Crested Gecko: Extinct Or Alive?The nocturnal, arboreal lifestyle of the crested gecko caused it to elude researchers for many years ... [+] until its rediscovery in 1994.
gettyThe crested gecko was thought to be extinct for several decades due to a lack of documented sightings and specimen collections. After its initial discovery and description in 1866 by Alphone Guichenot based on specimens from New Caledonia, there were no further confirmed reports or observations of the species in the wild or captivity for over a century. This absence of scientific records led many to speculate that habitat destruction, possibly compounded by introduced predators and other environmental pressures, had driven the species to extinction.
This view changed in 1994 when herpetologist Robert Seipp unexpectedly rediscovered a population of these geckos in southern New Caledonia. This rediscovery not only shattered the notion of their extinction but also sparked renewed interest and research into their ecology, conservation status and potential as pets.
Incidentally, this wasn't the first time that a reptile species was presumed extinct and later rediscovered in New Caledonia. The giant terror skink, or Boucort's terrific skink, was first documented to science in the 1870s by the renowned botanist, Benjamin Balansa. It was presumed extinct for much of the 20th century for the same reasons as the crested gecko, until a fortuitous group of researchers stumbled upon one of the giant island skinks in 2003 on a small islet in the southernmost region of New Caledonia.
Emergence Of The Crested Gecko As A Popular Exotic PetFortunately for the wild population, crested geckos are relatively easy to breed in captivity, and ... [+] their popularity in the pet trade is expected to continue surging.
AFP via Getty ImagesThe rediscovery of the crested gecko in 1994 sparked a surge of interest among reptile enthusiasts, leading to its rapid rise in popularity as a pet. Prior to its rediscovery, the crested gecko was virtually unknown in the pet trade, and its unique characteristics were not widely appreciated. However, once news spread of its reemergence in southern New Caledonia, where it had been presumed extinct, demand for these geckos grew. And, while the species was protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, a small number of individuals were exported in the mid-1990s, which led to the establishment of breeding lines in the United States and Europe.
Here's what the 2021 study on pet reptile popularity says about the growth of the crested gecko market:
"Due to the ease of breeding, which has quickly resulted in a variety of different color morphs, along with commercially available crested gecko food, their relatively small size, and capacity to thrive at room temperature without additional heating requirements, they are not only one of the top ten most popular lizards in the reptile trade but continue to steadily increase in popularity."
Sushiro To Sue Gecko Prankster
By Lee Jung-ping, Rachel Lin and Jonathan Chin / Staff reporters, with staff writer
Popular conveyor belt sushi chain Sushiro (壽司郎) on Thursday said that it would sue a patron who allegedly put a pet gecko on a soy dish, damaging the restaurant's reputation.
An image uploaded by the customer to her Instagram account showed the pet riding the sushi conveyor belt amid morsels of food, sparking a frenzy in local media.
In response, Suhsiro on Monday said on Facebook that the restaurant's image had been harmed by the negative publicity generated by the story and that the additional sanitation measures resulted in financial losses.
Photo: Screen grab from Dcard
It said in a statement on Thursday that although the customer has apologized for her behavior, the company nonetheless decided to sue to uphold its legal responsibility of upholding sanitation standards and consumer safety.
The customer is a student at Yuan Ze University in Taoyuan. The school on Monday issued a statement saying that the student is facing disciplinary action for breaching the school's morality rules.
Leopard geckos can transmit a myriad of pathogens that cause food poisoning, including salmonella, E. Coli and cryptosporidium, Centers for Disease Control Deputy Director-General Tseng Shu-Hui (曾淑慧) said.
People who come into physical contact with a gecko must wash their hands before eating or touching their eyes, mouth or face to avoid infection, she said.
Citing the Canadian Ministry of Health, Tseng said a study published last month linked contact with geckos to salmonella outbreaks in seven regions.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also reported in 2015 that 20 gecko owners residing in 16 states had salmonella infections, including three who had to be hospitalized, she said.
People who are in contact with reptiles or amphibians are urged to pay close attention to personal hygiene, especially hand washing, Tseng said.
Comments will be moderated. Keep comments relevant to the article. Remarks containing abusive and obscene language, personal attacks of any kind or promotion will be removed and the user banned. Final decision will be at the discretion of the Taipei Times.
Comments
Post a Comment