The Time for Responsible Herpetoculture Education is Now

Abstract. As herpetoculturists who interact primarily with the circle of our like-minded peers, we tend to forget that most humans have no interest in amphibians and reptiles, have very limited knowledge about amphibians and reptiles, have misconceptions and fears about them, and/or no particular concern for their preservation. As a reality check, consider that current estimates are that roughly three percent of US households (about one in sixty people) keep some type of amphibian or reptile. These keepers likely influence and spread some level of awareness and information about reptiles and amphibians to at least an equal percentage of the population. Although this is not insignificant, and is a much greater number than several decades ago, it is still only a small minority of the general population.