By David G. and Tracy M. Barker
During the past 60 years, the practice of keeping reptiles has changed from an obscure hobby to a widespread and mainstream interest of the American public. The pet industry organized and represented reptilekeeping during the first half of this time span. Now, looking back, we can see that an identifiable community of people with shared interests in reptiles began to form some 40 years ago. The interests and activities of this group today are largely independent from those of the pet industry. We identify this community — which has its own channels of communication, economy and activities — as the Reptile Nation.
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