{"id":65067,"date":"2022-12-16T13:15:29","date_gmt":"2022-12-16T13:15:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/?p=65067"},"modified":"2023-10-11T09:49:20","modified_gmt":"2023-10-11T08:49:20","slug":"why-reptiles-are-the-cold-blooded-casualties-of-wales-cost-of-living-crisis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/2022\/12\/16\/why-reptiles-are-the-cold-blooded-casualties-of-wales-cost-of-living-crisis\/","title":{"rendered":"Why reptiles are the cold-blooded casualties of Wales&#8217; cost-of-living crisis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rates of reptile abandonment are soaring as the price of UV lighting increases but some argue that energy costs aren&#8217;t the real reason<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/reptile-lead-1024x512.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-65069\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/reptile-lead-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/reptile-lead-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/reptile-lead-770x385.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/reptile-lead-1366x683.jpg 1366w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/reptile-lead-585x293.jpg 585w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/reptile-lead-1170x585.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/reptile-lead-293x147.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/reptile-lead-1400x700.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/reptile-lead.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/reptile-lead-1024x512.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-65069\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/reptile-lead-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/reptile-lead-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/reptile-lead-770x385.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/reptile-lead-1366x683.jpg 1366w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/reptile-lead-585x293.jpg 585w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/reptile-lead-1170x585.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/reptile-lead-293x147.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/reptile-lead-1400x700.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/reptile-lead.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A crested gecko from Reptiles S.O.S. Photo Credit: Jenny Jones<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">At Valley Veterinary Hospital, exotic animal specialist Dr Tariq Abou-Zahr was presented with a leopard gecko whose bones had become so soft that it could no longer walk properly. When he examined the lizard\u2019s jaw it was so mushy that he could squeeze it between his fingers. He discovered that it was being kept in a dark room without any UV light, which is a requirement for most reptiles to produce healthy levels of calcium. As a result, it had begun to suck the nutrients out of its own bones.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cases of owners not having done enough research is something that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.valleyvets.net\/staff\/dr-tariq-abou-zahr\">Dr Abou-Zahr <\/a>encounters regularly as a vet that works with more unconventional pets. And though he expects to see this particular gecko again soon, this isn\u2019t always the case. \u201cWe call them Lost-to-Follow-Up,\u201d he explained, a phenomenon in which the owners disappear and stop picking up the phone. \u201cYou don\u2019t know where they\u2019ve gone. They could\u2019ve died, or moved to another practice.\u201d Sometimes the owners just simply can\u2019t afford the expense of the veterinary bills.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the steadily escalating cost of living, Dr Abou-Zahr worries that this troubling brand of ghosting may become even more commonplace. He is equally concerned with how the increasing expense of UV equipment will affect how reptiles are being cared for at home. According to a recent report from the RSPCA, his fears are not unfounded.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pet abandonment is on the rise. In Wales, there has been a<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wales247.co.uk\/more-than-2500-reports-of-abandoned-animals-made-to-rspca-last-year-in-wales\"> 23% increase<\/a> in the number of cases of animals, including reptiles, being discarded by their owners over last year. This meant there was a staggering 1,554 incidents of abandonment in the first half of 2022 alone. The charity attributes the problem to the pet-buying boom that occurred over the pandemic, in which locked-down owners had more time to care for their animals than they would otherwise. Now, with household energy bills projected to increase even further, the RSPCA have stated that they are \u201cbraced for a surge in abandonments\u201d of exotic pets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe class=\"zeen-lazy-load-base zeen-lazy-load\" title=\"Reptile Abandonment in Wales\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"about:blank\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jea8Wi42sow?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><noscript><iframe title=\"Reptile Abandonment in Wales\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jea8Wi42sow?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/noscript>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Darling can you hear me SOS<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>For many, the surge is already happening. Several reptile charities based in Cardiff have reported that over the past few months they have consistently been at the point of capacity. With no government-funded support, these centres are being placed under extreme pressure.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Though they do not show it as obviously as mammals, reptiles do feel pain.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Welsh ecologist, Jenny Jones, is one of the people fighting to counteract the problem. As the founder of the Facebook  page, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ReptileRescueSOS\/\">Reptile Rescue S.O.S<\/a>, Jenny connects reptile owners across the UK who either wish to adopt or to rehome their pets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s a network that is sustained by private individuals rather than a charity, but Jenny is concerned that even this solution may be put under strain. \u201cIt\u2019s working at the moment,\u201d she said, \u201cbut most people I know, especially people who take bigger things, like snake specialists who have got spare sheds that are heated, are all at capacity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" loading=\"lazy\" data-id=\"65096\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/FB_IMG_1670839980609-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-65096\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/FB_IMG_1670839980609-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/FB_IMG_1670839980609-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/FB_IMG_1670839980609-770x578.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/FB_IMG_1670839980609-293x220.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/FB_IMG_1670839980609-100x75.jpg 100w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/FB_IMG_1670839980609.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"65096\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/FB_IMG_1670839980609-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-65096\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/FB_IMG_1670839980609-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/FB_IMG_1670839980609-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/FB_IMG_1670839980609-770x578.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/FB_IMG_1670839980609-293x220.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/FB_IMG_1670839980609-100x75.jpg 100w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/FB_IMG_1670839980609.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"966\" height=\"751\" loading=\"lazy\" data-id=\"65097\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/FB_IMG_1670840049182.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-65097\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/FB_IMG_1670840049182.jpg 966w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/FB_IMG_1670840049182-300x233.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/FB_IMG_1670840049182-770x599.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/FB_IMG_1670840049182-293x228.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 966px) 100vw, 966px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"966\" height=\"751\" data-id=\"65097\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/FB_IMG_1670840049182.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-65097\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/FB_IMG_1670840049182.jpg 966w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/FB_IMG_1670840049182-300x233.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/FB_IMG_1670840049182-770x599.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/FB_IMG_1670840049182-293x228.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 966px) 100vw, 966px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"723\" loading=\"lazy\" data-id=\"65100\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/FB_IMG_1670839743647.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-65100\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/FB_IMG_1670839743647.jpg 960w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/FB_IMG_1670839743647-300x226.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/FB_IMG_1670839743647-770x580.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/FB_IMG_1670839743647-293x221.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/FB_IMG_1670839743647-100x75.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"723\" data-id=\"65100\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/FB_IMG_1670839743647.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-65100\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/FB_IMG_1670839743647.jpg 960w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/FB_IMG_1670839743647-300x226.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/FB_IMG_1670839743647-770x580.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/FB_IMG_1670839743647-293x221.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/FB_IMG_1670839743647-100x75.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\">(Right to left): Jenny&#8217;s rescue iguana, a leopard gecko, a Chinese water dragon. Photo credit: Jenny Jones<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>However, one anonymous reptile charity believes that the extreme increase in dumping isn&#8217;t due to energy prices alone. The average kilowatt per hour cost in South Wales is 49.2p. To keep a 24W UV lamp lit for an average of 12 hours a day (an average for most reptiles) costs an extra \u00a32 per week. Unless someone is on an extremely tight budget, such small-scale price increases shouldn\u2019t warrant an animal being abandoned.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So why are they?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Snake King<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"687\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/tariq3-1024x687.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-65076\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/tariq3-1024x687.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/tariq3-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/tariq3-770x516.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/tariq3-1536x1030.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/tariq3-2048x1374.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/tariq3-1145x768.jpg 1145w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/tariq3-1610x1080.jpg 1610w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/tariq3-370x247.jpg 370w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/tariq3-293x197.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/tariq3-1400x939.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"687\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/tariq3-1024x687.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-65076\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/tariq3-1024x687.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/tariq3-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/tariq3-770x516.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/tariq3-1536x1030.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/tariq3-2048x1374.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/tariq3-1145x768.jpg 1145w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/tariq3-1610x1080.jpg 1610w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/tariq3-370x247.jpg 370w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/tariq3-293x197.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/tariq3-1400x939.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dr Tariq Abou-Zahr: &#8220;Snakes have this terrible reputation but they&#8217;re actually fantastic pets once you do your research properly.&#8221; Photo credit: Almha Murphy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr Abou-Zahr has always been fascinated by reptiles. He owned his first corn snake at eleven years old (which he named Fred) and then \u201cjust sort of went from there.\u201d Now he is currently the proud keeper of thirty-five snakes, which he occasionally breeds and exchanges with other snake enthusiasts. Though the vet does not have much of an emotional connection with the animals, he values them and cares for them as he would a \u201cpiece of nature.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It may sound like an unusual hobby, but breeding large reptile collections is a surprisingly common enterprise among pet owners in the UK. It\u2019s also almost completely unregulated. This means that breeders can sell non-venomous snakes without needing a licence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s the owners of these large collections who some reptile charities suspect are driving the huge upscale in abandonments, since the costs involved are considerably multiplied. Dr Abou-Zahr admits his own snakes are costing him an extra couple of hundred pounds a month. He also admits that there are a minority of snake breeders who do not treat their collections properly, but rather like a \u201cpiece of art.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Intent to breed reptiles is something that Jenny is careful to ask about when screening prospective owners. She says that while she is not \u201ctotally against it,\u201d she is wary of people who go into reptile breeding purely for financial gain. One common practice is the genetic engineering of \u201cmorphs,\u201d which is a term used to describe snakes bred for the purpose of creating exotic patterns. These morphs can be prone to complicated medical issues and since these breeders are looking for the biggest payout possible, they often don\u2019t check whether the people buying them have the means or knowledge necessary to care for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"756\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Woma_Morph_Ball_Python2-1024x756.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-65085\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Woma_Morph_Ball_Python2-1024x756.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Woma_Morph_Ball_Python2-300x222.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Woma_Morph_Ball_Python2-770x569.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Woma_Morph_Ball_Python2-1536x1135.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Woma_Morph_Ball_Python2-1040x768.jpg 1040w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Woma_Morph_Ball_Python2-1462x1080.jpg 1462w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Woma_Morph_Ball_Python2-293x216.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Woma_Morph_Ball_Python2-1400x1034.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Woma_Morph_Ball_Python2-100x75.jpg 100w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Woma_Morph_Ball_Python2.jpg 1538w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"756\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Woma_Morph_Ball_Python2-1024x756.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-65085\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Woma_Morph_Ball_Python2-1024x756.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Woma_Morph_Ball_Python2-300x222.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Woma_Morph_Ball_Python2-770x569.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Woma_Morph_Ball_Python2-1536x1135.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Woma_Morph_Ball_Python2-1040x768.jpg 1040w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Woma_Morph_Ball_Python2-1462x1080.jpg 1462w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Woma_Morph_Ball_Python2-293x216.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Woma_Morph_Ball_Python2-1400x1034.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Woma_Morph_Ball_Python2-100x75.jpg 100w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Woma_Morph_Ball_Python2.jpg 1538w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dr Tariq Abou-Zahr: &#8220;There\u2019s the spider mutation in royal pythons which is associated with a neurological problem that causes them to twist their neck around and hang their head upside down.&#8221; Photo credit: Wikipedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Jenny also takes issue with pet shops that exacerbate the trend of treating reptiles as collectibles by advertising them as \u201cbuy one get one free.\u201d They perpetuate the idea that they are toys that can be discarded as one would their other luxuries during a time of financial struggle, rather than real, living creatures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Though they do not show it as obviously as mammals, reptiles do feel pain. The gecko that Dr Abou-Zahr treated was in an extreme amount of suffering. To abandon a reptile, particularly in winter, opens them up to a host of cruel, life-threatening conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr Abou-Zahr emphasised that abandonment is never a good option. \u201cIt would probably be kinder,\u201d he said, \u201cfor the animal to be humanely euthanised.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"410\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/The-Process-of-410x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-65215\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/The-Process-of-410x1024.jpg 410w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/The-Process-of-120x300.jpg 120w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/The-Process-of-770x1925.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/The-Process-of-307x768.jpg 307w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/The-Process-of-432x1080.jpg 432w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/The-Process-of-720x1800.jpg 720w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/The-Process-of-293x733.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/The-Process-of.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 410px) 100vw, 410px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"410\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/The-Process-of-410x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-65215\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/The-Process-of-410x1024.jpg 410w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/The-Process-of-120x300.jpg 120w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/The-Process-of-770x1925.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/The-Process-of-307x768.jpg 307w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/The-Process-of-432x1080.jpg 432w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/The-Process-of-720x1800.jpg 720w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/The-Process-of-293x733.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/The-Process-of.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 410px) 100vw, 410px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tips provided by Dr Tariq Abou-Zahr                                                                                                    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rates of reptile abandonment are soaring as the price of UV lighting increases but some argue that energy costs aren&#8217;t the real reason<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":923,"featured_media":65069,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7087,7937],"tags":[7889,7891,7890],"coauthors":[7728],"class_list":["post-65067","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-long-reads","category-the-edit","tag-reptile-abandonment","tag-snake-breeding","tag-snakes"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>why reptiles are the cold-blooded casualties of Wales&#039;s cost-of-living crisis<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Rates of reptile abandonment are soaring as the price of UV lighting increases but some argue that energy costs 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