It's Beardies by a Whisker!

LONDON, February 8 - In the first-ever survey of the UK's reptile, amphibian and invertebrate
owners, bearded dragons have proved to be the most popular pet. 36% of
Practical Reptile Keeping's readers said that they keep these lizards, just
beating cornsnakes at 35%, followed closely by leopard geckos (32%) and royal
pythons (27%).

"Beardies make great companions, and interact readily with their owners,
especially if you start with a young hatchling" explains David Alderton, the
magazine's editor. "There's a stunning range of colour varieties now being
bred too, in shades from pale yellow to deep red, and they can live for 10
years or more."

Practical Reptile Keeping magazine's readers spent nearly GBP1000 each on
average on the care and upkeep of their pets in the previous 12 months. This
expenditure is divided between buying new stock (GBP256), vivariums and their
decoration (GBP242), food and supplements (GBP208) plus heating and lighting
equipment (GBP124 and GBP117 respectively).

Some 8 million pet tortoises, turtles, lizards, snakes, frogs, toads,
newts and salamanders (not to mention spiders and stick insects!) together
represent the UK's largest pet population - ahead of cats (7 million) and
leaving dogs well behind (5 million).

David Alderton is in no doubt that the trend is here to stay: "More and
more people are fascinated by the idea of sharing their homes with such pets,
which bring a new dimension and understanding to their lives. In return for
little more than the right living conditions, such creatures can offer
education, enjoyment and even companionship in some cases. There is a
reptile, amphibian or an invertebrate to appeal to everyone, given the wide
range of lifestyles, colors and sizes which exist within this group of
creatures," he added.

Notes to editors:

About David Alderton: David is a well-known author and journalist
specializing in pets and natural history. Trained as a veterinary surgeon,
allergic dermatitis forced him to change his career. With over 50 published
titles, David's books have sold over six million copies and been translated
into 30 different languages.

Practical Reptile Keeping is a monthly publication, produced by the
Kelsey Publishing Group, of Berry's Hill, Cudham, Kent.

For further press information, reptile photography, or an interview with David, please contact him on +44(0)7970-218164 or by email at d.alderton at netmatters.co.uk