HOW TIMES HAVE CHANGED.......A SMALL THOUGHT..........

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Iguana Forum ]

Posted by IGUANA JOE on January 09, 2003 at 22:28:27:

Do you remember how 10 or more years ago the choices you had for an exotic reptile?

I remember how almost every petstore had at least one iguana for sale, but usually it was a bunch of hatchlings, crammed into a pitiful fishtank marketed as a herp-terrarium. Tokays and leopards were widely spread out as Cracker-Jacks, and Water Dragons were the "alternative" to the main stream. Chameleons were on death-row due to their delicate care requirements, and monitors were the pet of the devil. Only sick individuals were thought as able to feed a defenseless pinkie to the beast. Oh, and they were often just the Savannah or the Niles, with a few Waters and Albigualris thrown in for fun.

If you were "lucky", you would find a cute snappy baby spectacled caiman with big adorable eyes and a snappy personality you just couldn't resist.

Beardes were the coolest thing in town, and frilled lizards would cost you between $700-$1000.

Today?
I have yet to see an iguana in a pet store here in New Joysey. Water Drags have replaced the gentle giants, their Aussie cousins taking away their prestigious position, baby beardeds are sold by the pound with permit requirements, and the elusive desert iguana and collared lizards are gaining ground in the mainstream. The infamous cteno's are still rarely seen.

Ackies have become the coolest thing in town now. They are just so friggin cool! No one even thinks about getting a nile monitor anymore, due to ignorance and attacks inflicted by the "beechiest" varanid of all (changing spelling to not get in trouble); most likely due to owner's error. Waters are almost out of the question. Everyone knows about their monolithic size, and kids can't get away with it now
(oh how I tried when I was still in highschool).

Basilisks are showing up more frequently, and a frilled can cost you now $300 bucks. Veiled chameleons are gaining ground, and exotic Madagascar Day geckoes are decorating the stores with their beautiful colors. Skinks such as Solomon's and Blue tongued's are also often seen. The latter now sold as the "hamster of the reptile world".

Amazing how things have changed in the market, and in buyer's behavior, knowledge, education, and ability. Captive breeding has skyrocketed, and information has spread out like a virus.

...And the iguana, forever kingpin of the reptile trade, sits quietly and gazes at the world and hobby it has created.

- IJ

Follow Ups: