21/10/2024
REPTILE AWARENESS DAY - 21 October π¦π’ππ
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Today we celebrate all of our cold-bloodedβοΈπ©Έ friends. This day is observed to educate and raise awareness around reptiles and their natural habitat.
While the history of reptiles may go hundreds of millions of years back, reptile awareness day has an unfortunately short history in comparison. Additionally, it wasnβt really until 1966 when the first endangered species act was passed that awareness of the needs and threats facing reptiles (or any animal, for that matter) started to make its way into our cultural mainstream.
WHAT ARE REPTILES?
Reptiles are vertebrate animal of a class that includes snakes π, lizards π¦, crocodiles π, turtles, and tortoises π’. They are distinguished by having a dry scaly skin and typically laying soft-shelled eggs on land. The placement of turtles within the reptile kingdom has historically been up for debate, but so far they are still considered to be reptiles.
REPTILE HABITAT
They live in a wide range of habitats (ocean, deserts, rain forests, freshwater, underground burrows, top of tress and on land. They can be found on every continent except Antarctica. .
REPTILE FOOD
With few exceptions, modern reptiles feed on some form of animal life (such as insects, mollusks, birds, frogs, mammals, fishes, or even other reptiles). Land tortoises are vegetarians, eating leaves, grass, and even cactus in some cases.
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF REPTILES
π¦Reptiles are vertebrate animals.
π¦Most reptiles lay eggs.
π¦Skin of reptiles is covered with scales (or Scutes) - dry
π¦Have cold-blooded metabolisms.
π¦Breathe with the aid of lungs.
π¦They have ear holes instead of ears.
WELFARE OF REPTILES
In recent years South Africa has seen a dramatic increase in the keeping, breeding and trading of exotic animals and reptiles for the pet industry.
The reality is that exotic animals and reptiles βDO NOT BELONG IN CAPTIVITY & SHOULD NOT BE KEPT AS PETSβΌοΈ
It is ILLEGAL to own, keep, breed, buy, sell or transport any indigenous reptile without a valid permit issued by the relevant nature conservation authorities. Permits can differ from province to province.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
πPlease stop buying tortoises, chameleons and other reptiles at the side of the road and report any sightings of this illegal trade to the conservation authorities or SPCA.
πShare this information with your family, friends and colleagues.
πSupport the NSPCA Call of the Wild Project and join them in addressing this issue.
πShould you know of anyone who is illegally keeping indigenous wildlife, please contact the NSPCA or your nearest SPCA.
πIf you have any pets including exotic animals & reptiles, than you can't care for anymore, please contact the NSPCA Wildlife Protection Unit on 011 907 3590/1/2/3 or [email protected] for help in giving a wild animal a chance at a better life.
NATIONAL REPTILE AWARENESS DAY ACTIVITIES
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DONATE to a reptile conservation program or your local SPCA.
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VISIT A NATIONAL PARK. Reptiles play a major part in your ecosystem. By visiting your nearest national park, you're helping promote a place that is dedicated to preserving the natural habitats for all animals that live in that area - including, of course, the reptiles.
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IDENTIFY A REPTILE (or two, or three)
If you see a lizard or other reptile, use an app to ID it. This helps scientists understand where certain populations live and how well they're adapting among us.
