Reptiles I Worry About In The Hobby 

The two species I worry about the most are probably sulcata tortoises and reticulated pythons. There are a lot of breeders of both, and not a lot of people that could actually take care of these animals. Sulcatas in particular live so long, there's probably as many sulcatas alive right now in the pet trade as will ever be needed. But, people keep breeding them. Where do they go? I know there aren't that many people with whole rooms dedicated to tortoises and pythons, or enough outdoor space and the correct weather.

For me? Its morph breeding in general. I think the level of breeding we are doing just for a slightly new pattern is...theres just something strange about stacked deli cups on tables with living breathing creatures in it, like hundreds of them being sold. Like they're cheap merchandise. Small scale breeding with a focus on care is what i prefer. I dont want to see snakes in racks like they're books on a shelf. Thats just my two cents on the matter though!

I have to say, I agree with you on all of these matters. Such valid points tbh!! I worry about all reptiles because a lot of people impulse buy them for children or just in general don’t research enough. However, I especially worry about retics, green iguanas, and chameleons

Loved this video idea. ❤️ For me, it’s the popular reptiles.....firstly, Bearded Dragons. They’re so openly available to people and as they start out so small and cute, people squeeze them into tiny enclosures and don’t do the right research into their heat and lighting requirements. On top of this, so many bearded dragons are overweight and have mbd. Secondly, I worry for ‘lower end morph’ Ball Pythons. There are so many colour and gene variations about, but this means wild type morphs are ten a penny and it makes me sad the amount you see being practically given away because they’re not as desirable as the fancier ones when the wild type morph is my favourite (I have 2 rescued wild type girls, Iris and Indie). I think the problem is people list both these species as great ‘beginner’ reptiles which means their care requirements aren’t taken as seriously as something more advanced.

It stresses me out whenever the Pet Collective Facebook page posts a cute iguana video and likens them to a dog, and then the comments are all like, “I want one!”

Some reptiles I’m a little worried abt are stuff like chameleons. Most chameleons need a lot of care that a lot of beginners don’t have and are a bit harder to keep, but they’re so popular (or they used to be popular) that a lot of people want to get one immediately I’m also worried about crocodilians (I know they aren’t technically Squamates but they’re still reptiles technically so I’m including them) because even smaller crocodilians can be hard to care for, they are also more hard to handle from what I’ve heard

I agree with every your word! Thank you for speaking about important topic for animals🙏

The species I worry about the most is Xenodermus Javanicus. This snake species has a distinct enough “dragon-like” appearance that makes people want to get it, but it’s also incredibly difficult to keep in captivity. And yet it is being over collected and sold to whoever wants to pay for it, with the majority of these snakes dying. If any of you want a Xenodermus, don’t. Wait for professionals to find ways to reliably keep and breed them in captivity before you purchase one. They also only eat frogs and fish and the majority of people getting them don’t have a sustainable way of providing such a diet, never mind forcing the snake to eat.

I would say, currently, Sunbeam snakes (Xenopeltis, sp.) and dragon snakes(Xenodermus javanicus) - The animal is almost certainly wild caught, and their husbandry isn't well understood, so you're going to have a dead snake in short order.

I’m going to say (non dwarf) retics and burms! People always say “the minimum length of the enclosure should allow the snake to fully stretch out” for smaller snakes but nobody follows this rule when the snake can get 20 feet, because no one has a tank that big. If you need a tank that big, maybe that animal isn’t meant for captivity… Even in zoos I’ve been to, the tank isn’t big enough for the snake to fully extend. It must be a terrible life for your body and spine to be cramped up forever, except for when your owners take you out to show off to their friends.

I got a new gopher snake a couple months ago. I wanted a bullsnake, but went with a San Diego gopher to keep the size reasonable. Big reptilians aren't for me. I see lots of people in the various reptile groups I'm in on FB buy first and ask later. I watched videos and read stuff for over a month before getting my first (uromastyx). I worry about venomous for this reason. I know not all venomous keepers out there were mentored and licensed. Oh well. Not my business, but yikes. Anyway, great topic!

I couldn't agree more with your pics- especially the monitors. I have a Savannah, and she has a huge enclosure (8x4x4) and i still feel like that's not enough for her- so I couldn't imagine one of the larger monitors- i feel like they need their own house, at the very least! I honestly fear for mother nature in general anymore... reptile wise- i fear for the more "popular" ones- the beardies, the leopard geckos, lower end morph ball pythons, corn snakes, turtles, tortoises... especially with all of these movies coming out- i absolutely LOVE Adam Sandler- but his new movie Leo makes my skin crawl- because how many people are going to see that with their kids, and their kids are going to want a turtle and a chameleon, and want to put them together in a tiny 10 gallon tank together... URGH!!

Wow Tricia this is such a really awesome video I love it.😃👍❤️

There are definitely a few people that are capable of providing for these larger lizards. That said, only a very small percent of those in the hobby meet that description. If you want to see an Asian water monitor, watch Kamp Kenan, don't buy one as an impulse buy. Also dwarf caimans are the ones I fear for the most.

Hello Tricia:) Do you think you could make new updated care guides on the species you keep? I thought it would be such a beneficial video idea as I’m considering owning some of the species you own actually. I found that you have care guides in playlists, however those videos are quite older. As years pass by, I can tell your care and views have developed and changed a lot. Therefore updated care guides would be so appreciated ❤❤ thank you

Well done queen ,,,, well enjoyed and most respects to your information on the situations at hand '

Last time I said that Asian Water Monitors shouldn’t be bred because almost nobody can care for them, people got really upset 🥲

Willy is so cute it makes me want a chameleon even more ❤

Hi I have a question and thought of you for maybe an answer. I had ordered zoo med's GRANITE hides, caves Some if them arrived broke. I have watched your past vids using products for gluing, etc., and was wondering if Josh's has a product i could purchase and repair these granite hides. Thank you for your time and help. Have a great Holiday. Thank you

I love chinese water dragons , I have 6 and they have there own room. it's the biggest room in my house.the room is a jungle I have avocado , lemon trees kiwi vines and bamboo . I have running water everywere. they do well in grow tents. I have seen a lot of sad water dragons the one I got on craigslist was in horrible condition I had to put food in his mouth and his growth is badly stunted but he eats like champ now. I have 5 that are adults and one juvi and not counting the stunted one I have 2 males and 3 females. 3 are breeding size. the best thing to happen for chinesae water dragon is the CITIES 2 the passed so the are n longer bimported and are actually hard to find and not cheap.

I agree fully !saw a expo on you tube n they were selling those water monitors omg ..they get so big ..n the Iguanas too .they belongin the wild ..I agree with you .Tricia. ❤

We bought my daughter a veiled chameleon for Christmas and she’s been wanting one for years I thought she did her research but she didn’t so now we have have one and an enclosure that’s not big enough so now we have to buy a new enclosure we got her from petsmart which I know is never good but I could t find a breeder she’s doing fine and eating fine but my question is can I use a 3 ft enclosure instead of a 4 ft right now we have a two foot enclosure she’s a baby and I didn’t know the size of the enclosure petsmart didn’t give me any information on her and can I use fake plants and real plants I know ur not suppose to use fake if their hard plastic

I see people all bringing up morphs too! I also worry about lower end morphs for ball pythons. Im considering a ball python as my first snake, and the wild type is my favorite...why breed into infinity when the natural animal itself is perfect as is?

Love your video kiddo thanks and I agree if you can't give them the space and keep them in good health you should not have them again love your videos kiddo thanks

Great video 🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢

Great, informative video :) Do you have any current book recommendations and have you ever/would you like to volunteer at an animal shelter? I have been thinking about doing this in the New Year. Thank you!

Oh yea an iguana was my first reptile as a kid and even tho I wasn’t involved with the care to much I can agree they ain’t easy to care for. Sad to say he didn’t live long his name was Rex

When I went to petco the other day they told me they don’t even know half the pythons they get 🤡

think some people buy on the impulse or think it's cool or for their kids !!no research..worry bot the type of home they get 😮.

Yeah it really sucks to see improper husbandry from lack of caring or ignorance but as many times as you said "stresses me out" I think I'm more worried about you than the reptiles.

Reptiles that I “worry” about being in the hobby are reticulated pythons. They are HUGE snakes and need a lot of requirements so I feel a little weird about them being in the hobby due to their size.

I would like to talk more about that “severe stress” caused by other peoples care towards others ( i.e. reptiles) Highly removed as manageable event by yourself. Yet your level of care seems to stem from the intensity of your soul. Bright blue eyes that have high sensitivity to light, also provide high intensities. No hate for you though, I feel that same need in larger lizards need for running space and climbing space like the open outdoors. If I imagine being the lizard. I cannot seem to understand the patience and self restraint needed in captivity. I can only feel the need to be free and yet with that freedom comes dangers. While captive those dangers are removed.

The reptiles that stress me out? All of them. I see people with handfuls of reptiles at every expo, and I worry about the care and commitment they deserve. Hence why I personally only have 2 snakes, because I know I can spoil the hell out of them.

You admitted to being a noob once upon a time. This video stresses me out. A better list would have been advanced animals in the hobby.