Reptiles as pets The Australian 11 March 2007

11 MARCH 2007

John Stapleton

APART from his parents, the one thing in life James Stimson, 6, truly, utterly and completely loves is his bright yellow bearded dragon ``Prickle''.

Most times, wherever he is in the house, whatever he's doing, Prickle is sitting on his shoulder taking it all in.

James is one of an increasing number of children looking at alternatives to the traditional dog or cat.

The Australian bearded dragon is the most popular alternate pet in the United States but in NSW there is a continuing ban on its sale in pet stores.

The ban, unique to NSW, means it is difficult to buy many of the most popular alternative pets, bearded dragons, blue-tongues, carpet pythons and short-necked Murray turtles.

Every other state has long ago lifted the ban on selling the reptiles as being counter-productive for the simple reason that their commercial production increases their overall numbers.

The Pet Industry Association of Australia has launched a campaign to have the ban overturned ahead of the NSW state election. The Association claims the NSW ban has spawned 15,000 illegal operators and increased concerns over the animals' welfare.

PIAA spokesman Colin Bransgrove said the reptiles being sold in pet shops were all captive-bred and having them as pets was not a threat to the environment. He said all that was required to fix the problem was a signature from NSW Environment Minister Bob Debus but there was a reluctance in NSW to do anything controversial. The Department of Environment and Conservation recommended the ban be lifted in 2005. ``It's like banning grog, it just drives it underground,'' Mr Bransgrove said. ``It's bizarre.

``Kids think they're cool. From our research people like learning about reptiles, their environment, their diet. They are good fun to look after.''

A spokesman for the minister Bob Debus said there were a number of issues that needed further investigation if a ban on the sale of reptiles in NSW was to be lifted. ``One area of concern is the capture of reptiles, particularly endangered animals, from parks for sale on an open market,'' he said.

James's father Anthony Stimson said the family had been forced to draw the line at allowing Prickle to join the family at the dinner table, but otherwise the bearded dragon was welcome everywhere in the house. ``Prickle is happy to sit on his shoulder for as long as James wants it to. If James finds a cockroach he shrieks with delight as he lets Prickle chase it. All his mates put James on a pedestal because of his cool pet. It is brilliant for his self esteem. The easier it is for kids to find, be inspired by and get all the cool things you get from keeping a lizard as a pet, the better.''