AMPHIBIAN AND REPTILE TRADE IN TEXAS

186 Pages·2009·3.58 MB·English

AMPHIBIAN AND REPTILE TRADE IN TEXAS:
CURRENT STATUS AND TRENDS

A Thesis
by
HEATHER LEE PRESTRIDGE

Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of
Texas A&M University
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
MASTER OF SCIENCE

August 2009

Major Subject: Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences
AMPHIBIAN AND REPTILE TRADE IN TEXAS:
CURRENT STATUS AND TRENDS

A Thesis
by
HEATHER LEE PRESTRIDGE

Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of
Texas A&M University
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
MASTER OF SCIENCE

Approved by:
Chair of Committee, Lee A. Fitzgerald
Committee Members, James R. Dixon
Toby J. Hibbitts
Ulrike Gretzel
Head of Department, Thomas E. Lacher

August 2009

Major Subject: Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences
iii
ABSTRACT

Amphibian and Reptile Trade in Texas: Current Status and Trends.
(August 2009)
Heather Lee Prestridge, B.S., Texas A&M University
Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Lee A. Fitzgerald

The non-game wildlife trade poses a risk to our natural landscape, natural
heritage, economy, and security. Specifically, the trade in non-game reptiles and
amphibians exploits native populations, and is likely not sustainable for many species.
Exotic amphibian and reptile species pose risk of invasion and directly or indirectly alter
the native landscape. The extent of non-game amphibian and reptile trade is not fully
understood and is poorly documented. To quantitatively describe the trade in Texas, I
solicited data from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) Law
Enforcement Management Information System (LEMIS) and Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department’s (TPWD) non-game dealer permits. I surveyed amphibian and reptile pet
owners, breeders, Internet sites, pet shops, and meat and seafood establishments by
visits, electronic surveys, and observations.
The trade in exotic species of amphibians and reptiles in the state of Texas was
found to be popular in two ways; the importation of wildlife products and sale of live
specimens for pets. Persisting in the pet trade were species known to be exotic, a
problem made worse by lack of regulations governing the import, export, and keeping of
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exotic species. Trade in wild collected native species was primarily for export to foreign
countries. Collection of turtles from the wild in Texas was heavy until 2008, when
TPWD restricted collection to private waters. Collection of other species from the wild
was minimal, with the exception of the Western Diamond-backed Rattlsnake (Crotalus
atrox) for rattlesnake roundups. Native species were found to exist in the pet trade, but
primarily as genetic color variants that do not occur in the wild, an indication that
captive breeding may be relieving pressures on wild caught specimens.
Minor changes in reporting requirements and permitting systems at the state and
federal level would improve the management of exotic and native amphibians and
reptiles that persist in the trade. Changes that include standardized taxonomic reporting
requirements at state and federal level, streamlined permitting system for individuals
wishing to collect from the wild in Texas, bag limits and seasons for wild collection,
increased reporting requirements for owners of exotics, and enforcement of reporting
errors would aid in management of exotic and native amphibians and reptiles in the
trade.
v
DEDICATION

This project is dedicated to the responsible amphibian and reptile breeders,
owners, and enthusiasts who wish to keep their rights to enjoy their hobby.
vi
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank my committee chair, Lee A. Fitzgerald, for the opportunity
to further my academic career. My committee members, James “Doc” Dixon, Toby J.
Hibbitts, and Uli Gretzel for their patience, advise, and support throughout the course of
this project. My trusty, independent, student worker, Rachel Blodgett should receive
thanks for all of her hard work and dedication to this project and for her help in wading
through data.
Thanks also go to my friends and colleagues and the department faculty and staff
for making my time at Texas A&M University a great experience. I would like to
acknowledge Ms. Circee Pieters at United States Fish and Wildlife Service and Mr. Jon
Purvis at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for their collaboration in data mining. I
also want to extend my gratitude to Dr. Matt Wagner at Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department, who, during the course of this project was charged with regulating the trade
in reptiles and amphibians in the state. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department should also
be acknowledged for providing the funding for the project.
Thanks to my mom, dad, grandmother, uncle, and sisters for their encouragement
and enthusiasm for my further education. Finally, thanks and love to my husband Byron
for his patience and support throughout the entire process.
vii
NOMENCLATURE

LEMIS Law Enforcement Management Information System
TPWD Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service
viii
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
ABSTRACT .............................................................................................................. iii
DEDICATION .......................................................................................................... v
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...................................................................................... vi
NOMENCLATURE .................................................................................................. vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................................... viii
LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................... x
LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................... xi
CHAPTER
I INTRODUCTION ................................................................................ 1

II TRADE IN EXOTIC AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES IN TEXAS .. 6
Methods .......................................................................................... 9
Data Collection .......................................................................... 10
Results ............................................................................................ 13
International Trade .................................................................... 14
Retail Pet Trade ......................................................................... 24
Trade in Established Invasive Species ...................................... 30
Exotic Amphibian and Reptile Meat Trade ............................... 34
Discussion ...................................................................................... 34
Species in the Trade .................................................................. 34
Trends in Trade of Live Specimens .......................................... 36
Patterns of Importation and Exportation ................................... 39
Reporting System Recommendations ....................................... 40
III TRADE IN NATIVE AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES IN TEXAS .. 43
Methods .......................................................................................... 46
Data Collection .......................................................................... 47
ix
CHAPTER Page

Results ............................................................................................ 47
International Trade .................................................................... 48
Collection from the Wild ........................................................... 62
Meat Trade ................................................................................ 85
Retail Pet Trade ......................................................................... 86
Discussion ...................................................................................... 92
Native Species in the Trade ....................................................... 92
Trends in International Exportation and Importation ................ 93
Collection from the Wild ........................................................... 96
Retail Pet Trade ......................................................................... 99
Reporting System Recommendations ....................................... 101

IV CONCLUSION .................................................................................... 104

REFERENCES .......................................................................................................... 106
APPENDIX A ........................................................................................................... 112
APPENDIX B ........................................................................................................... 148
APPENDIX C ........................................................................................................... 150
APPENDIX D ........................................................................................................... 151
APPENDIX E ............................................................................................................ 158
APPENDIX F ............................................................................................................ 162
APPENDIX G ........................................................................................................... 164
APPENDIX H ........................................................................................................... 170
APPENDIX I ............................................................................................................. 171
VITA ......................................................................................................................... 173
x
LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE Page
1 Ranked percentage of total imports of live exotic amphibians
and reptiles, January 2002 - June 2008. .................................................... 19

2 States in the USA where I detected dealers of amphibians and reptiles
who sold amphibians and reptiles through Internet sites. ......................... 25

3 Axanthic spider morph ball python. ........................................................... 38

4 Ranked distribution of live native amphibians and reptiles exported
from Texas January 2002 – June 2008. ...................................................... 54

5 Ranked distribution of live native amphibians and reptiles imported
to Texas 2002-2008 from foreign countries. .............................................. 61

6 Amphibians collected from the wild as reported by non-game dealers
to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department by season and county. ............... 64

7 Lizards collected from the wild as reported by non-game dealers
to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department by season and county. .............. 65

8 Snakes collected from the wild as reported by non-game dealers to
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department by year and county. ..................... 66

9 Turtles collected from the wild as reported by non-game dealers to
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department by year and county. ...................... 67

10 Species rank for wild collected native amphibians and reptiles as
summarized from non-game dealer annual reports to Texas Parks and
Wildlife Department for the 2004 through 2008 seasons. ........................ 69

11 Ranked distribution for native amphibians and reptiles purchased by
non-game dealers for resale. ...................................................................... 76