are reptiles in the uk for sale? the wild reptiles in uk never thought of it be for

[chucketeechuckstah]

are the wild reptiles in uk for sale never thought of it be for. are there any in the pet trade. if so how would that work would that mean if its a england wild snake example would not need no heat and just room temps?

[Athravan]

Typically they are protected by conservation laws which makes it illegal to sell them commercially, unless you can prove they are 2nd generation captive bred. Whether it's illegal to catch and keep them yourself depends on the status of the reptile.

[Mason]

One of the issues is of the very few species we do have most are a pain in the ass.

Adders are obviously venomous so require the relevant licencing but, along with grass snakes, can be an absolute arses to get feeding.

some grass snakes it seems will do anything (upto and including dying!) before taking defrosted rodents.

[955i]

Go see them in the wild. There is enough choice of CB reptiles available to not need UK species where the origin is much harder to prove (and easier to lie about) IMO.

[Matt Harris]

You do see native reptiles for sale occasionally, but these are reported to the Police wherever possible as it is illegal to sell native wild reptile species.

The key word here is 'wild', of which there is no definition in the legislation, but my interpretation is that 1st generation are legal to sell.

Also, the situation is not clear where species which are native here and other contries as well (i.e. the continent) are imported - for example Sand Lizards from Russia etc.

Slow-worms and common lizards are simple enough to keep; grass snakes will eat fish/frogs etc, but as above may be difficult to get onto defrost rodents. I have heard rumours of adders being very difficult to get feeding in captivity, but I have never spoken to anyone with direct experience of this.

All species can be kept at room temp, but all those except slow-worms will need to be able to bask as well. Common lizards might need uv also.

As above, if you want a pet get a corn snake or beardie; it's very rewarding to see our natives in their natural environment.

[Uncle Les]

To take this a stage further is there a market for them outside the UK that some people take advantage of whether legal or otherwise.

[Matt Harris]

Originally Posted by Mr T

To take this a stage further is there a market for them outside the UK that some people take advantage of whether legal or otherwise.

All our native herps are are as common if not more so in mainland Europe; whather or not americans or Japanese would buy these species for their curiosity value, I don't know. I haven't seen any herps native to the UK being advertised on US websites.

[matt1977]

Does anyone know if slow worms are protected? As my kids bring the odd one home im the warmer months and tend to let them go again after a while. be nice to know the law around it.

[Matt Harris]

Originally Posted by matt1977

Does anyone know if slow worms are protected? As my kids bring the odd one home im the warmer months and tend to let them go again after a while. be nice to know the law around it.

They are protected against intentional killing and injury, and trade in wild specimens. There's no wildlife law which stops you from keeping them.

[rakpeterson]

i am sure slow worms are protected. If memory serves they are quite rare although i got millions round here