Consequences of Catching Your Own Pet
This section refers the the action of capturing local wildlife as pets, such action is strongly discouraged. There are legal and ethical reasons why you should not collect from the wild. Concerning the legal side, many reptiles and amphibians are placed under CITES and local protection which prohibits the collection and the disturbance of such animals. The species you wish to collect may be endangered, may be totally unsuitable for life in captivity, may be too dangerous to keep or may carry highly infectious diseases.
On an ethical note, often owners do not know how to appropriately care for the animal they have captured resulting in premature death. Many reptiles also die from the shock from being captured (e.g. capture myopathy) or from starvation due to refusal to eat because of stress. Stress from being held in captivity can also lower the animals’ immune system making it susceptible to attack from a disease it may already be carrying. Reptiles born in the wild do not adapt well to captivity and only live a fraction of their lifespan due to continuous stress. No matter how well meaning you are, your actions may still cause the animal a great deal of harm. Captive bred animals are adapted to captivity and do not endure the same stresses.
On an ethical note, often owners do not know how to appropriately care for the animal they have captured resulting in premature death. Many reptiles also die from the shock from being captured (e.g. capture myopathy) or from starvation due to refusal to eat because of stress. Stress from being held in captivity can also lower the animals’ immune system making it susceptible to attack from a disease it may already be carrying. Reptiles born in the wild do not adapt well to captivity and only live a fraction of their lifespan due to continuous stress. No matter how well meaning you are, your actions may still cause the animal a great deal of harm. Captive bred animals are adapted to captivity and do not endure the same stresses.
© 2014 Cat Read