With each passing year, as the various exporting countries close or open their seasons and/or shipping quotas, the herps we see in the pet trade change.

Availability of some changes from abundance to rarity, of others from rarity to abundance. As an example the Colombian horned frog, Ceratophrys calcarata, once available in the thousands each breeding season, has not been available for decades.



Those among us who are keepers (yes, I am one) owe each and every animal, be their cost mere pennies or thousands of dollars, the best of conditions and care. Research each species before acquisition, and then acquire only those that you can care for adequately and with relative ease.

More photos of species rarely seen today under the jump...