The Modern U.S. Reptile Industry

This report provides an overview of the modern U.S. reptile industry. The United States
Association of Reptile Keepers (“USARK”) commissioned this report to shed light on a largely
unstudied sector of the United States economy. The report details the size, scope, and flow of
trade of the reptile industry within the United States. It concludes that the U.S. reptile industry
is vibrant and has grown rapidly, but that the industry has been and continues to be impeded by
federal legislation and regulations restricting the import, export, and domestic sale of reptiles.
Overview of the U.S. Reptile Industry

• The U.S. reptile industry encompasses a vast number of participants including pet
owners, hobbyists, breeders, importers, exporters, wholesalers, pet store proprietors,
pet show promoters, entertainers, veterinarians, and manufacturers of pet food and
ancillary pet products.

• In 2009, businesses that sell, provide services for, and manufacture products for
reptiles earned revenues of $1.0 billion to $1.4 billion.

• In 2009, 4.7 million U.S. households owned 13.6 million pet reptiles. Reptile owners
are spread throughout the United States without a concentration in any one area of the
country.

• Reptile businesses can be found throughout the United States, although reptile
importers are more densely concentrated in Florida and California than in other states.

• The vast majority of reptile businesses are small, family-run businesses.