Is It Cruel Keeping Reptiles?

i dont think keeping a reptile is cruel my leopard geckos seems very happy she gets consistant meals shes looked after if she gets sick. she gets to cuddle, a big space she doesnt have to share, constant supply of water everything she needs is right infront of her so she gets to spend more time sleeping. and she loves me and recognizes me when she sees me which she gets to every day so shes not alone. its a pretty cushy life.

I don't believe it's cruel. As long as they have sufficient space, food, water, and mental stimulation, they can live fulfilling lives (and usually much longer lives than in the wild). And almost all reptiles you find in pet stores have been bred in captivity for generations, so I doubt they're missing the deserts/jungles they've never seen. It would be far more cruel to release these tamed animals into the wild and expect them to be able to take care of themselves.

I think if you gave said water dragon enough space, enough water, food, and enough things of interest to it that it is not cruel. That is what reptile keepers strive for, just the same way as zoo's are constantly trying to find things to keep their animals occupied and mentally stimulated.

listen it is not cruel they have water food and everything they need i know it not the wild but you and the store are doing them a favor, they are living full and healthy lives living with us humans. you know most reptiles in the wild wont live there fulll lives they usually just breed then die. you and the store are saving lives here, a chance is being given to them to live the life they diserve. just think about that would that water dragon live longer in a cage with food and water or outside with disease and preditors.

Think about it like this, is it cruel keeping a cat or a dog in a house or on a yard ? They are from forrests and moutains and other areas ofvthe world.

by pure coincidence, my lizard friend got on a rant about this topic the other day and we made a vid of it.

maybe you'd like to hear his perspective?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QS0PGSrbcV0

If it was cruel to keep reptiles it would be cruel to keep any kind of pet.