Owning these types of reptiles are a danger to owners, a threat to local ecosystems and a risk to the well being of the animal . These reptiles are not meant to be pets and are a great responsiblity on the owner to maintain. Although daily care may not be expensive, caring for a sick reptile can cost hundreds of dollars, which most owners do not have to spend. Many reptiles suffer greatly due to owners not having adequate husbandry skills to properly care for them. In addition, when lizards and snakes become more difficult to handle many people release them to roam free, where they breed and create an imbalance in the ecosystem. Florida is a great example of what happens when exotic pets are set free. The Greater Everglades Ecosystem supports a group of plants and animals not found anywhere else in the world; however, the growing population of invasive species is disrupting this delicate ecosystem. Aside from invasive plants and animals, reptiles are also creating an enormous problem among the species that already live there. Constrictors have voracious appetites and are literally eating up the wildlife! Monitors love eggs and cause a great risk for sea turtles, gopher tortoises, owls, frogs and even the brown pelican. Iguanas are eating all the native vegetation. So taking these facts into consideration the sale of these reptiles should be banned in all pet stores and online.
