María Fernanda De la Fuente, Bruna Monielly Carvalho de Araújo, Iamara da Silva Policarpo, Heliene Mota Pereira, Anna Karolina Martins Borges, Washington Luiz Silva Vieira, Gentil Alves Pereira Filho, Rômulo Romeu Nóbrega Alves
BACKGROUND: Reptiles are considered one of the most popular pets in the world and are often associated with an incorrect belief that they are simple, highly adaptable, and easy to keep animals when compared with other pets, such as dogs and cats. However, keeping reptiles as pets can pose several challenges in meeting their needs in a domestic setting, requiring specific conditions and effort to maintain their health, well-being, and survival. METHODS: During 2015, using online semi-structured questionnaires applied to 719 Brazilian pet reptile keepers who participated in online groups of reptile breeders on the social network Facebook, this study aimed to identify Brazilian keepers' motivations for maintaining reptiles as pets, investigate their monthly expenses, and the husbandry practices for the maintenance, such as housing and feeding conditions, handling of the animal, health issues, and treatment provided...
October 21, 2023: Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine