GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Must-Know Exotic Pet Trade Statistics [Latest Report]

Highlights: The Most Important Exotic Pet Trade Statistics

  • Approximately 50% of pets in the US are considered exotic, with 1,356 distinct wild-caught species imported in the last 20 years and only 6% of captive tigers living in accredited facilities.
  • Approximately 17.6 million exotic pets are kept in 9 million households in the US, with 51% of them being reptiles and 26% being birds; however, millions of birds are still illegally imported into the US.
  • The exotic pet industry in the US is worth over $15 billion and is projected to rise, making up a significant portion of the US pet industry which is estimated to be worth $76.8 billion.
  • Approximately 50% of pets in the US are considered exotic, with 1,356 distinct wild-caught species imported in the last 20 years and only 6% of captive tigers living in accredited facilities.
  • Exotic pet attacks can result in serious injury or death, making the exotic pet trade a potentially dangerous endeavor
  • Three federal laws regulate the importation of exotic animals into the United States, but not private possession, with the Endangered Species Act (ESA) making it illegal to possess, sell, or buy an endangered species
  • The UK has a large market for exotic pets, with 54,634 amphibians, 64,810 reptiles, 23,507 birds, and 6479 mammals permitted for sale and 2000 pet traders located in 283 different local authority areas.
  • Reptiles are the most popular exotic pet in the UK, with 64,810 individuals, followed by amphibians at 54,634 and mammals at 6,479.
  • Wild animals are not suited to life in captivity, leading to physical and psychological problems when kept as exotic pets.
  • Approximately 17.6 million exotic pets are kept in 9 million households in the US, with 51% of them being reptiles and 26% being birds; however, millions of birds are still illegally imported into the US.
  • Exotic animals are difficult to keep in captivity due to their need for large areas to roam, unpredictable behavior, and potential to carry zoonotic diseases, making them dangerous to keep as pets.
  • Exotic animals, such as lions, tigers, wolves, bears, reptiles, and non-human primates, should not be kept as pets due to their wild and potentially dangerous nature.

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The exotic pet trade is a booming industry, with millions of animals being bought and sold around the world. But what do we really know about the exotic pet trade and the animals involved? In this article, we will be exploring the statistics of the exotic pet trade, from the number of animals traded to the types of animals involved.

We will also be looking at the impact of the exotic pet trade on the environment and the species involved. So, if you’re interested in learning more about the exotic pet trade, read on.

Exotic Pet Trade: Most Important Statistics

Approximately 50% of pets in the US are considered exotic, with 1,356 distinct wild-caught species imported in the last 20 years and only 6% of captive tigers living in accredited facilities.
The UK has a large market for exotic pets, with 54,634 amphibians, 64,810 reptiles, 23,507 birds, and 6479 mammals permitted for sale and 2000 pet traders located in 283 different local authority areas.
Approximately 17.6 million exotic pets are kept in 9 million households in the US, with 51% of them being reptiles and 26% being birds; however, millions of birds are still illegally imported into the US.

Exotic Pet Trade: Statistics Overview

The exotic pet industry in the US is worth over $15 billion and is projected to rise, making up a significant portion of the US pet industry which is estimated to be worth $76.8 billion.

This shows the potential for growth in the industry and the potential for profit. It also shows the increasing popularity of exotic pets and the potential for them to become a larger part of the pet industry.

Approximately 50% of pets in the US are considered exotic, with 1,356 distinct wild-caught species imported in the last 20 years and only 6% of captive tigers living in accredited facilities.

This highlights the prevalence of exotic pet ownership in the US and the potential for wild-caught species to be imported for private ownership. It also highlights the lack of regulation and oversight of exotic pet ownership, as only 6% of captive tigers are living in accredited facilities.

This lack of regulation can lead to animal welfare issues and the potential for exotic species to become invasive.

Exotic pet attacks can result in serious injury or death, making the exotic pet trade a potentially dangerous endeavor.

It highlights the risks associated with keeping exotic pets, which can help inform people’s decisions on whether or not to participate in the exotic pet trade.

It also serves as a reminder of the need for proper regulation of the exotic pet trade to ensure the safety of both people and animals.

Three federal laws regulate the importation of exotic animals into the United States, but not private possession, with the Endangered Species Act (ESA) making it illegal to possess, sell, or buy an endangered species.

The laws provide a legal framework for the USFWS to prosecute individuals who illegally possess endangered species, thus helping to protect endangered species from the illegal pet trade.

The UK has a large market for exotic pets, with 54,634 amphibians, 64,810 reptiles, 23,507 birds, and 6479 mammals permitted for sale and 2000 pet traders located in 283 different local authority areas.

This makes the scope of the exotic pet trade in the UK and the potential impact it can have on the environment and the welfare of the animals involved clear.

Reptiles are the most popular exotic pet in the UK, with 64,810 individuals, followed by amphibians at 54,634 and mammals at 6,479.

This matters in the context of Exotic Pet Trade Statistics because it shows the prevalence of reptiles as exotic pets in the UK and the relative lack of mammals. This can help inform decisions about conservation and regulation of exotic pet trade.

Wild animals are not suited to life in captivity, leading to physical and psychological problems when kept as exotic pets.

This matters in the context of Exotic Pet Trade Statistics because it highlights the need for better regulation and enforcement of laws to protect these animals from being kept in unsuitable environments.

Approximately 17.6 million exotic pets are kept in 9 million households in the US, with 51% of them being reptiles and 26% being birds; however, millions of birds are still illegally imported into the US.

This highlights the prevalence of exotic pet trade in the US, as well as the fact that illegal imports are still occurring despite the Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992.

This highlights the need for more effective legislation and enforcement of existing laws to protect exotic species from exploitation.

Exotic animals are difficult to keep in captivity due to their need for large areas to roam, unpredictable behavior, and potential to carry zoonotic diseases, making them dangerous to keep as pets.

It clarifies the risks associated with keeping exotic animals as pets and the need to ensure proper care and safety for both the animals and humans.

Exotic animals, such as lions, tigers, wolves, bears, reptiles, and non-human primates, should not be kept as pets due to their wild and potentially dangerous nature.

This demonstrate the need for regulations to protect exotic animals from being kept as pets. The statistics also show the need for education about the dangers of keeping wild animals in captivity, as well as the need for better enforcement of existing laws.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the exotic pet trade is a complex and controversial issue. The statistics show that the trade is growing, and that it is having a negative impact on the environment, animal welfare, and public health. It is important to be aware of the facts and to take action to reduce the demand for exotic pets.

This can be done by educating the public about the consequences of the exotic pet trade, advocating for stricter regulations on the trade, and supporting organizations that are working to protect endangered species.

References

1 – https://petkeen.com/how-big-is-the-exotic-pet-trade-statistics/

2 – https://petkeen.com/how-big-is-the-exotic-pet-trade-statistics/

3 – https://www.bornfree.org.uk/pet-issues

4 – https://www.bornfreeusa.org/campaigns/animals-in-captivity/the-dangers-of-keeping-exotic-pets/

5 – https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/12/2373

6 – https://petkeen.com/exotic-pets-statistics-uk/

7 – https://www.bornfree.org.uk/pet-issues

8 – https://safeworldwide.org/news-articles/exotic-animal-trade-tragedy/

9 – https://www.globelifeinsurance.com/article/dangers-of-owning-an-exotic-pet

10 – https://www.bornfreeusa.org/campaigns/animals-in-captivity/the-dangers-of-keeping-exotic-pets/

FAQs

What is exotic pet trade?

Exotic pet trade is the buying and selling of wild animals as pets.

What animals are involved in exotic pet trade?

Animals involved in exotic pet trade include birds, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals.

What are the risks of exotic pet trade?

Risks of exotic pet trade include the spread of disease, animal cruelty, and the introduction of invasive species.

What is the impact of exotic pet trade on the environment?

The impact of exotic pet trade on the environment is significant, as it can disrupt ecosystems and lead to the extinction of certain species.

What are the regulations of exotic pet trade?

Regulations of exotic pet trade vary from country to country, but typically involve restrictions on the types of animals that can be traded and the conditions under which they can be kept.

How we write our statistic reports:

We have not conducted any studies ourselves. Our article provides a summary of all the statistics and studies available at the time of writing. We are solely presenting a summary, not expressing our own opinion. We have collected all statistics within our internal database. In some cases, we use Artificial Intelligence for formulating the statistics. The articles are updated regularly.

See our Editorial Process.

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