Recently there were a few messages exchanged on Twitter between several reptile enthusiasts about the discovery of a hatchling tuatara in New Zealand. I remeber studying tuataras when I took a graduate-level herpetology course back in the late 90′s. We didn’t have any tuataras to look at, of course, so we read a good bit and did a lot of talking. One of the things I remember about tuataras is that the duration of their breeding cycle is insane. Consider this:
- Tuataras reach sexual maturity somewhere around 15 years of age. Hmmph! It doesn’t even take humans that long to become reproductive.
- Gestation is somewhere in the realm of 9 months. After 9 months the female lays about a dozen eggs (give or take)
- Eggs take as few as 11 but as many as 16 months to hatch.
- Females only reproduce every few years.
To say that Tuatara’s are not in any genetic hurry to reproduce themselves is a bit of an understatement.
All this discussion about saving one species or another got me thinking. Consider the following:
As you might suspect, Tuataras are highly endangered. Whenever things become endangered they (quite correctly) become heavily protected. This usually relegates captive breeding efforts to zoos and other scientific organizations. I understand the motivations. If the existence of a species is on the line you want the most educated, the most capable and the most dedicated people on the job. This makes sesnse. But hang on a minute. Has anyone looked around the herpetological landscape lately? Zoos are not the most advanced husbandry facilities around any more. Several for-profit reptile breeders have outpaced the efforts of even the best zoos out there. Money is a powerful motivator for huge portions of the population. When you combine a passion for reptiles with the ability to make money you find that reptile breeders become 1) very intelligent about husbandry and genetics and 2) very agressive in producing the largest quantity possible. Aren’t those the same basic motivations of a species preservation program?
Most of us in the business can readily rattle off a few names of breeders who are worthy of the challenge and have facilities that are up to the task. Why not give professional breeders a shot at preserving endangered species? I see nothing but good to come of it; the animals are highly likely to be produced in larger quantities than any zoo (no disrespect to zoos intended), large portions of the production can be re-introduced into wild, the breeders makes money on some of the production, animals that were once impossible to own become available in the trade which, if we all agree on one of the purposes of captive breeding, decreases the pressure of collection/poaching of animals in the wild.
If producing more of the animal and re-establishing its viability in the wild are our objectives I can’t think of anyone equally qualified than a professional (for-profit) reptile breeder.
Give it some thought.
Cheers,
Colin Weaver
Hey Colin, funny I just found this page. My fiancé and I were just discussing this exact ideology this afternoon. Quite counter intuitive. No disrespect to New Zealand’s efforts in protecting their wildlife- and completely acknowledge seemingly the National pride of conservation. However, with so many able, dedicated and educated breeders it seems only intelligent to provide what is best for the species.
This same abuse of institutions with regards to captive breeding programs happens within avian and feline communities.
We are really hoping one day to aid in the husbandry of rare exotic birds native to New Zealand- however the laws and importation regulations are impenetrable.
Very frustrating when one has the means, finances, ethics, highest intentions, and time to aid in such a worthy cause; but the bars fail to bend.
If there is ever a petition floating about, we and many of our colleagues would love to participate.
Thank you for your solid words.
Hiya,
I fully agree.
They should loosen the laws and give certain breeders permits to breed endangered species.
The only thing is- once trade of an endagered species is common and legal, it allows poachers to sell their catch without being prosecuted, hell they could list in on ebay. So the numbers of wild Tuataras could be at risk.
As you mention, the numbers of wild Tuatara could be increased by introducing ones born in captivity, so i guess the overall impact would be a good one.
I remember one arguement that if endagered species were also “on the menu” then demand of the animal would help the private breeders have higher turnover, thus be more inclined to breed the animal, and encourage other breeders to join the market e.g. we’re not going to run out of pigs or cows anytime soon.
Just something I heard.
And not that i want to eat a tuatara or anything…
I agree with these comments.The zoos are sometimes not able to take care of these reptiles not because they don’t have the knowledge but they don’t hire individuals that know alot about them.Most of the individuals that would know alot about them would be people that dedicated their hearts into researching everything,personal caretakers and also the breeders.Believe it or I am a person who has a iguana that is illegal to own in New York.I think it also sucks that iguana’s in the wild are dying off and becoming threatened but I actually think that they made it illegal to own iguana’s because they become big and hard to maintain as well as them being untrainable. Since I had owned a couple of them through out the years they are easier for me to train them and understand their behaviors.I though think you and the laws around here made it very clear that you should have a permit but these permits are very expensive and they basically only put it on a few years ago but it is very expensive,not only that but people that are dedicated I don’t think should pay for a permit costing them expensive prices.I think if you would have difficulties paying for a permit and you care for your animals they should give it to you at a discount etc.I have had iguana’s for about ten years now and it is very hard for the public to find economy jobs right now.With that being said people that have these animals having known that they taken care of them should help out the zoo’s and instutions that take care of them.We would learn alot more about it together.Some of New Yorks City’s Walruses died,the cause?They really don’t have a clue but some of their docents that do community service work like me have a real explanation for it and that would be because some bacterias that they have naturally in the wild would be beneficial to the walruses and theyir trainers have no reason or explanation of this.These people are usually book smart and don’t know usually how to handle situations like this well at all.I am not happy about this stuff either as you could tell but if you have anything regarding what I just said or any questions at all please email me at sean_k20@yahoo.com
“The only thing is- once trade of an endagered species is common and legal, it allows poachers to sell their catch without being prosecuted, hell they could list in on ebay. So the numbers of wild Tuataras could be at risk.”
I think it may be quite the opposite… Why risk the jail time and effort finding such a rare animal when you could just buy one? It may take quite a few years for them to start becoming more common but at that point there would be no reason at all to poach them.
Alredo, Good point. I don’t know how much poaching occurs for legally traded/captive bred species but I suspect that it decreases as they become more readily available. Larger scale breeding will also allow for programs that reintroduce animals into the wild (if needed).
eBay doesn’t allow live animals to be sold on its site but if they did I would bid.
great thinking! I agree with u guys.. as an animal lover, that would do both for the nature and pet enthusiast..