10/22/2021
Happy Reptile Awareness Day!
Read below or at https://usark.org/reptile-awareness-day/.
October 21st is Reptile Awareness Day, a day to promote conservation and appreciation of the phenomenal world of reptiles. Through educational outreach efforts, truth and understanding of these fascinating animals can be spread. In the name of education, we will use this day to encourage more appreciation for these wonderful animals.
As a group, reptiles are poorly understood by much of the public. Myths and urban legends often ascribe aggressive, malicious, and even supernatural abilities to these animals, reinforcing them as sources of revulsion and fear. Those familiar with reptiles know well that such negative associations are as false as they are unjustified. Nonetheless, it can be difficult to convince people that these animals are both in need of and worth conserving.
Modern zoos do invaluable work in this direction, but often, the interactive educational programs offered to schools, libraries, and other informative outreach events by private animal keepers are the most effective in changing minds. These programs often spark lasting, significant interest in reptiles. Such programs inspire children to become tomorrow’s veterinarians, zookeepers, biologists, and conservationists. People will conserve what they love, and these interactive programs, providing reptile admiration, will ensure ongoing conservation efforts for reptiles.
Due to the increased reverence and understanding of these exceptional animals, reptile pets are not uncommon. They are increasingly popular, now being kept in 5% of U.S. households (roughly 1 in 20), and fitting well with a number of modern lifestyles. Many pet reptiles have needs that are much easier to meet than more commonly kept pets. While the physical and emotional health benefits associated with pet ownership are becoming more well-known, reptile pets are also helping to make those benefits more accessible to people with allergies, in urban settings, or very busy schedules – people who would not otherwise be able to benefit from having a pet.
Some would argue that reptiles are associated with a risk of disease for people, however, this risk is in fact very similar to, or even slightly less than that encountered from the more mainstream pets, and even other people. Disease transmission from pet reptiles is easily prevented with good hygiene practices. These practices include keeping the reptile’s cage clean, washing hands after handling reptiles, not eating while holding reptiles, and not putting reptiles near your mouth, your food, or any places where you prepare meals.
Any pet should be seen as a major responsibility, requiring species-appropriate care for its entire life – and many reptile species are long-lived! Exactly what appropriate care consists of can vary widely, and should be carefully researched before bringing any pet home, reptile or otherwise.
When we do right by the animals under our care, we help promote others’ appreciation of them. It is not just our pets who benefit, but the people who interact with them, and conservation efforts for wild reptiles and their associated ecosystems as well. This is part of why USARK - United States Association of Reptile Keepers works to prevent misinformed legislation and government overreach; the benefits associated with reptiles kept under human care are far-reaching and multi-layered.
If you already love reptiles, please share your adoration. If you think they are slimy (reptiles are not slimy) and you do not like them “just because,” please take some time to learn about these incredible animals to overcome your fears, and even clear up some misconceptions. Reptiles are remarkable animals and we want everyone to know it. Have a great reptile Awareness Day!
If you want more reptile appreciation, you can find plenty of educational posts and fantastic photos on our page at USARK - United States Association of Reptile Keepers and our Instagram ().
Relevant Links on Responsible H**petoculture
Click here to read the USARK Keepers' Code of Ethics: www.usark.org/code-of-ethics
Click here for expanded thoughts on ethical h**petoculture: www.usark.org/2017-blog/expanded-keepers-and-breeders-ethics-discussion
Five Days of Reptile Fun and Learning
It's a conference and a reptile show, back-to-back in the same location! It all begins November 15th with the TURTLE and TORTOISE PRESERVATION GROUP (TTPG) field trip. Then you get two days at the TTPG Conference, followed by a full weekend at the Phoenix Reptile Expo. It all happens November 15-19 in Mesa, AZ. Don't miss it!
TTPG Conference details at www.ttpg.org/conferences.php.
Phoenix Reptile Expo details at www.phxreptileexpo.com.
Upcoming H**p Conservation Auction
H**petological Conservation International (HCI) is now accepting donations for the Second Annual ABC Auction For Conservation. ABC = Art Books Collectibles
To join the auction group, click here: HCI: H**P ART & BOOK AUCTIONS
This year we will be accepting any animal-related art, books, or collectibles, with proceeds benefitting reptile and amphibian conservation. Get all details and DONATE at www.h**pconservation.org/2nd-annual-abc-auction.html.
See promotion at bottom of this newsletter and click it for the HCI page.
Logo Contest
Attention artists and designers! The International H**petological Symposium is holding a logo/t-shirt design contest for their 2018 event. All details at IHS 2018 Event Logo Contest! Post your Submissions!.
Find A Vet
Need a good h**p veterinarian? The Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) can help. ARAV provides a free Find-A-Vet service at http://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661.
Reptile Shows and Related Events
Visit our show page at www.usark.org/list-of-reptile-shows.
Midwest H**petological Symposium
October 20-22 in Bloomington, MN. Event details at https://mnh**psoc.org/midwest-h**petological-symposium/.
Donate to the Reptile Defense Fund
Information for making donations online and via check/money order can be found at www.usark.org/reptile-defense-fund-2/. You can make one-time, weekly, monthly or annual donations. You can also include a message that will be posted on the Legal Defense Fund Donor Wall at www.usark.org/usark-announcement/reptile-defense-donor-wall/ for all to see, or you can even choose to make your donation or donation amount anonymous. Thanks for your support as we protect the freedoms of the Reptile Nation against overreaching anti-h**p legislation and battle the animal rights groups working to remove all animals from our lives.
Photo: Marilyn with a ball python (Python regius) sent to us by Marie Alexandra Accardi. Look at that smile!
