Recommended stocking densities for reptiles kept in a pet retail environment

Background

In line with a decision made by PIJAC Canada’s National Board of Directors, the association was asked to prepare a set of recommended stocking densities for pets kept in a pet retail environment. This document represents the sixth segment of the exercise and refers to reptiles.

The following draft is the result of some extensive research. It is expected that this document will be subject to additional consultation. At this point in its development, the document reflects the expertise identified and selected by the staff of PIJAC Canada. Through our involvement with the International Pet Advisory Council we were able to review pertinent documents referred by other sources around the world, including the State of Colorado’s published Animal Care Facilities guidelines, the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals and the Pet Industry Association of Australia National Codes of Practice.

Assumptions

The following assumptions have been taken into account in establishing the recommendations appearing in this document:

  1. Definition of Pet retail environment. “Pet retail environment” means any place or premise used in whole or in part, whether on a permanent or temporary basis, for the purpose of retail sale, trading, bartering, or otherwise transferring pet animals to the public.In addition to the traditional pet shop or wholesaler, pet retail environments shall include the keeping for transfer or the transfer of pet animals at temporary facilities such as flea markets, mobile facilities, department stores, merchandise outlets, discount outlets, pet animal shows conducting a sale, and other types of retail outlets.
  2. “Reptile” means an aquatic or terrestrial reptile and amphibians.
  3. The minimum needs for socialization and exercise (when applicable) are met.
  4. “Housing unit” means any aquarium or other enclosure used to house a reptile but does not include housing in a container while transporting a reptile outside a companion animal establishment.
  5. Notwithstanding the other assumptions, it is understood that while this document specifically refers to stocking densities, it is assumed that all other pertinent animal welfare considerations, as outlined in other PIJAC Canada publications, are being met.
  6. The housing units shall comply with the following:
    a. Height of housing unit must not be less than 10 cm from the top of the head of the tallest reptile to the ceiling of the housing unit, as measured when the reptile is standing and must allow the animal to stretch fully upright.
    b. It is recommended that reptiles from different clutches should be housed in separate enclosures to avoid any possible cross-contamination.

In light of these assumptions, PIJAC Canada recommends the following as suggested cage stocking densities for reptiles kept in a pet retail environment.

Recommended stocking density for reptiles in a pet store environment (revised October 2018):

Species Type Size of animal without the tail (cm)Area for one animal (cm2)For an additional animal (cm2)Other specifications
Terrestrial and semi-aquatic frogs

Less than 4

4 to 8

8 to 12

12 to 16

16 to 20

200

400

800

1600

2500

100

200

400

800

1250

A basin should occupy at least 50% of the area for semi-aquatic species.

Terrestrial and semi-aquatic salamanders

Less than 4

4 to 8

8 to 12

12 to 16

150

200

400

800

75

100

200

400

A basin should occupy at least 50% of the area for semi-aquatic species.

Fully aquatic frogs and salamanders

Less than 4

4 to 8

8 to 12

150

200

400

75

100

200

Water depth should be more than the length of the animal.

Arboreal frogs

Less than 4

4 to 8

More than 8

150

300

600

75

150

300

Height should be at least 30 cm.

Species Type Size of animal without the tail (cm)Area for one animal (cm2)For an additional animal (cm2)Other specifications
Terrestrial lizards

Less than 4

4 to 7

7 to 13

13 to 20

20 to 25

300

500

800

1900

3300

150

250

400

950

1650

A basin should occupy at least 30% of the area for semi-aquatic species.

Arboreal lizards

Less than 4

4 to 7

7 to 13

13 to 20

20 to 25

220

380

650

1700

2200

110

190

325

850

1100

Height should correspond to at least 3 times the length of the animal.

Species Type Size of animal without the tail (cm)Area for one animal (cm2)For an additional animal (cm2)Other specifications
Snakes (total length)

Less than 30

30 to 60

60 to 90

90 to 120

120 to 150

150 to 180

180 to 210

210 to 240

200

400

700

1600

2600

3900

5400

7000

100

200

350

800

1300

1950

2700

3500

Height for arboreal species should correspond to at least 40% of the animal’s length.

A basin should occupy at least 50% for the area for semi-aquatic species.

Species Type Size of animal without the tail (cm)Area for one animal (cm2)For an additional animal (cm2)Other specifications
Tortoises (terrestrial) (shell length)

Less than 10

10 to 15

15 to 20

20 to 30

700

1700

2800

4700

350

850

1400

2350

Turtles (aquatic) (shell length)

Less than 10

10 to 15

15 to 20

20 to 30

500

1400

2300

3800

250

700

1150

1900

Depth in the middle of the swimming basin should be more than the length of the shell. An area completely above water must be accessible.

Revised October 2018