Online pet markets: extent and risks of trade in alien reptiles and amphibians

TY - JOUR

T1 - Online pet markets

T2 - extent and risks of trade in alien reptiles and amphibians

AU - Thunnissen, Naomi W.

AU - Helsloot, Fabian C.

AU - Collas, Frank P.L.

AU - Leuven, Rob S.E.W.

AU - Jongejans, Eelke

N1 - Data archiving: no NIOO data

PY - 2026

Y1 - 2026

N2 - The international pet trade is a major pathway for the introduction of invasive alien reptiles and amphibians. However, little is known about which species are currently offered online and what risks they pose to biodiversity, ecosystems, and human health. This study focuses on the Dutch online pet trade, analyzing data from a major online marketplace and 11 web shops. A total of 512 alien species were recorded for sale. Based on Köppen-Geiger climate data, 93 species show a climate match with Northwestern Europe, suggesting they could survive and establish in the wild if released or escaped. Of these, 39 species have already been observed outdoors in the Netherlands. Risk assessments were available for 43 of the 93 climate-matched species. Due to diversity in risk assessment protocols, all risk scores were harmonized to prioritize potential impacts. Sixteen species were identified as high risk, twelve as medium risk, and fifteen as low risk. Negative effects include hybridization, competition, and disease transmission. Some species, such as venomous snakes (e.g., Vipera aspis and Crotalus spp.) and large snapping turtles (e.g., Chelydra serpentina and Macrochelys temminckii), pose threats to human health through bites or zoonotic disease transmission. Continuous monitoring and assessing risks of the online pet trade is essential for the early detection of potentially harmful species. Effective management should prioritize awareness and prevention through public education, early warning systems, rapid response, and stricter regulations on high-risk species to protect native biodiversity and human well-being.

AB - The international pet trade is a major pathway for the introduction of invasive alien reptiles and amphibians. However, little is known about which species are currently offered online and what risks they pose to biodiversity, ecosystems, and human health. This study focuses on the Dutch online pet trade, analyzing data from a major online marketplace and 11 web shops. A total of 512 alien species were recorded for sale. Based on Köppen-Geiger climate data, 93 species show a climate match with Northwestern Europe, suggesting they could survive and establish in the wild if released or escaped. Of these, 39 species have already been observed outdoors in the Netherlands. Risk assessments were available for 43 of the 93 climate-matched species. Due to diversity in risk assessment protocols, all risk scores were harmonized to prioritize potential impacts. Sixteen species were identified as high risk, twelve as medium risk, and fifteen as low risk. Negative effects include hybridization, competition, and disease transmission. Some species, such as venomous snakes (e.g., Vipera aspis and Crotalus spp.) and large snapping turtles (e.g., Chelydra serpentina and Macrochelys temminckii), pose threats to human health through bites or zoonotic disease transmission. Continuous monitoring and assessing risks of the online pet trade is essential for the early detection of potentially harmful species. Effective management should prioritize awareness and prevention through public education, early warning systems, rapid response, and stricter regulations on high-risk species to protect native biodiversity and human well-being.

KW - herpetofauna

KW - non-native species

KW - online-marketplace

KW - rapid prioritization

KW - risk assessment

KW - temperate climate

U2 - 10.3391/mbi.2026.17.2.03

DO - 10.3391/mbi.2026.17.2.03

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:105044199334

SN - 1989-8649

VL - 17

SP - 239

EP - 263

JO - Management of Biological Invasions

JF - Management of Biological Invasions

IS - 2

ER -