Responsible Reptile Keeping

02/12/2025

Is this the ultimate gift for that special person who is mad about reptiles?

From mugs to memberships, RRK has your Christmas covered!

Head to our online store here:
https://responsiblereptilekeeping.org/merchandise.

01/12/2025

Marshmallow The Python 🧡

My last of 2025

01/12/2025

It’s December's day. So show us yours!

Kicking off this festive edition is Paul Burrows Jr. from Paul's Monitors 🇬🇧🎄. And he's sharing the stage with an amazing sand goanna, cared for by his mate Dan. An important reminder that a shared love of reptiles is where meaningful friendships can begin.

On the 1st of each month, we fill social media with reptile selfies to show the world how much our animals mean to us. We are pushing back against campaigners who want to prevent us from posting selfies with our animals.

📸 Get involved! Post a selfie with your animals on your page, tag RRK and add !

🎁 Each month, we’ll pick our favourite and the winner receives a cool mug, powered by Pangea Reptile. They'll also be the stars of next month’s video!

Join in for your chance to be the face of RRK's monthly !

29/11/2025

Caring for reptiles can bring calm, structure, and connection into your life, sometimes in ways you’d never expect.

Which of these benefits resonates most with you?

Read the full article and explore the research behind our study at:

https://responsiblereptilekeeping.org/six-ways-reptiles-can-boost-your-mental-wellbeing

28/11/2025

If you want a clear, expert perspective on one of the most controversial topics in animal keeping today, this is an interview you shouldn't miss.

Dr Martin Singheiser of Bundesverband für fachgerechten Natur-, Tier- und Artenschutz e.V. breaks down why positive lists keep failing across Europe and beyond. He explains how these restrictive pet-keeping bans ignore the evidence and risk harming animals and the people who care for them.

We explore what’s gone wrong in countries that have already tried positive lists, why enforcement gaps make them ineffective, and how these laws can actually undermine conservation, welfare and public safety.

Dr Singheiser also outlines practical, evidence-based alternatives from targeted regulation to better education that genuinely improve welfare and tackle risks without punishing responsible keepers.

BNA is committed to species conservation and responsible animal husbandry at regional, national, and EU levels, emphasising habitat protection as its top priority. BNA provides educational resources for various target groups (authorities, pet shops, animal keepers, and veterinarians) and works closely with animal and plant owners within its member associations to ensure the survival of species.

25/11/2025

The vast majority of herpetological, husbandry and breeding advancements are pioneered by private keepers. Not zoos. Not research institutions. Private keepers. This fact is rarely acknowledged by those campaigning for positive list and bans.

Wie die Deutschen in ihrem Keller bedrohte Arten retten

https://www.focus.de/earth/erfolgreicher-als-viele-zoos-wie-die-deutschen-in-ihrem-keller-bedrohte-arten-retten_ed3f3fa8-cccb-47ee-a0f5-24becc7f28d1.html

25/11/2025

This inspiring story explores how Jamey's deep love for reptiles united her diverse passions and became the missing piece to her jigsaw.

What began as curiosity grew into a lifestyle rooted in care, learning, and a mission to better understand these animals both in captivity and in the wild.

An Adler Romer Production for RRK.

24/11/2025

Caring for reptiles can bring calm, structure, and connection into your life, sometimes in ways you’d never expect.

Which of these benefits resonates most with you?

Read the full article and explore the research behind our study at:

https://responsiblereptilekeeping.org/six-ways-reptiles-can-boost-your-mental-wellbeing

6 ways reptiles BOOSTyour mentalwellbeing can Reptile keeping and mental healthAs research continues to explore the links between human–animal interaction, reptiles are emerging as an unexpectedly vital presence in people’s lives. So what is it about these understated companions that supports mi...

23/11/2025

Tony from RRK recently attended a workshop in Brussels to hear the recommendations of consultants who were tasked (and paid) by the European Commission to investigate ways of addressing illegal wildlife trade.

Instead, the consortium of consultants misappropriated the project and the funds to push for ways to reduce demand for legally-acquired reptile and amphibian pets.

The presentation was littered with inaccuracies and rhetoric, and we intend to highlight our concerns to the EU Commission when the full report is published. Our Polish colleagues at Stowarzyszenie Terrarystów Polskich - STP , who were also in attendance, summarise our concerns.

The video from the presentation (2m. 55sec) is an example of the proposed campaign to curtail reptile and amphibian keeping.

What do you think of it?

- Does it effectively address illegal wildlife trade?
- What do you think the aim of the video is?
- What will the video achieve?
- Do you think the EU's money (your money) was well spent?
- Is it justifiable to focus these warnings on reptile keepers, or do other pets need the same level of planning and care?

We'd love to hear what you think.