An inside look at SC’s exotic pet trade

Editor’s note: The following is the second story in a series of articles about South Carolina’s exotic pet trade. It will be continued next week. 

by William Buchheit

Staff Writer

Of all the potentially dangerous exotic pets people buy, sell and trade in America, none are more popular than snakes. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), some 555,000 U.S. households had at least one snake in 2012. And, while these animals will not ever be as popular as cats, dogs, birds or even rabbits, the snake trade constitutes big business domestically and internationally. Reptile shows are everywhere, and you’ll be hard pressed to find a pet store that does not have at least a couple snakes for sale. 

Most of the serpents people buy, of course, are neither venomous nor dangerously large. 

But there are exceptions. 

In Gray Court, Danny Steele owns some of the world’s deadliest species – monocled cobras, Gaboon vipers, rattlers, even a couple anacondas. Steele and his wife Sarah perform educational snake shows across the state and attend reptile conventions on a routine basis. They currently have more than 100 snakes and hope to triple that number by the time breeding season concludes next year. They both work full-time jobs to purchase, breed and care for the animals, all of which are completely legal in the state of South Carolina.  

“South Carolina is a pretty relaxed state as far as exotic pets go,” Steele said. “But when you get an exotic pet, you have to check the laws of the state, county and city you’re living in. A lot of the stuff we’re breeding, they (legislators) are starting to tighten the laws a little bit.”

Steele says those attempts at regulation are why he and Sarah recently moved from Greenville to Gray Court, a small town in Laurens County less restrictive to snake owners and breeders.   

At present, it is illegal to own exotic animals in Spartanburg County and one must obtain a permit to own them in Greenville County. 

Laws and permits vary so dramatically across regions that many feel a comprehensive state law is in order. 

Kimberly Kelly, the state’s director for the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), is one such advocate. 

“South Carolina is one of only five states that have few-to-no laws governing the private possession of dangerous wild animals,” said Kelly, a Charleston attorney and animal protection litigator. “No one knows how many dangerous wild animals are in private hands in South Carolina because there is currently no state oversight.”  

Kelly fears our relaxed laws are attracting exotic animal collectors to South Carolina in droves. 

Currently, South Carolina is one of the nation’s only states that allows the sell and purchase of venomous snakes at reptile shows (known to reptile lovers as “hot” shows).

“The possession and sale of venomous snakes in South Carolina should be prohibited,” she said. “The risks are far too great to allow individuals to harbor reptiles such as cobras, vipers or mambas that pose special dangers to emergency responders and the community.”

Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw agrees. He’s asked exotic pet owners to post stickers on their front doors to warn police and fire fighters. The sheriff says he’s discovered poisonous pet snakes, including timber rattlers and water moccasins, inside houses on at least a half dozen occasions when conducting drug-related search warrants. 

“I’m the first to stand up for citizens’ rights but put yourself in our shoes. If you have a fire at your home and you have a poisonous reptile that gets out, the first one on the scene may be the one that encounters it,” Crenshaw said. 

Despite no attacks recorded thusfar, Crenshaw said he and county counsel are trying to be proactive with the sticker idea. 

“Generally speaking, everyone has been supportive of it,” he said. “Most everybody agrees we need some type of regulation. It’s just a matter of agreeing on what’s the best route to follow.”

Irresponsible Owners

While it’s well known that poisonous and huge constrictor snakes occasionally harm people, it’s usually those animals that pay the cost of poor ownership. All too often, snakes suffer insufficient accommodations, poor nourishment and inadequate veterinary care. 

Crenshaw has found full-grown snakes in empty aquariums covered only by thin pieces of plywood.

“The majority of reptile owners have their pets for less than a year,” Kelly said. “Some die due to poor care while others, including unwanted snakes, may be abandoned, intentionally released outdoors, or escape from poorly secured cages – which poses a threat to ecosystems.”

Randy Miller says it is these careless owners that spoil the snake trade for responsible collectors. Billing himself as “The Critter Keeper,” he earns a living performing reptile shows at schools, churches, camps and birthday parties.

“It’s crazy that we make laws that impact everyone based on the poor judgment of a few,” he said. “As an American, I would much rather have dangerous freedom than state-controlled safety. Hold the individual accountable [and] you don’t need to punish everyone.   If someone shoots up a school, how is restricting my gun ownership going to help?  It’s the same principle.”

Miller said some snake owners he knows are more qualified to possess and handle venomous snakes than some of the people he’s seen working in zoos. 

Doc Antle, founder of The Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species (TIGERS) in Myrtle Beach, agrees wholeheartedly. Though he no longer keeps snakes himself, he used to present a snake show called “Striking Beauty” at the Myrtle Beach Pavilion. He says the serpent owners he’s met over the years have been “very meticulous” about their animals.

“People are very private about it. It takes on a similar air to stamp and coin collecting. It’s a very specifically focused person that’s infatuated with those reptiles,” said Antle, who’s appeared on national television several times over the last three decades. “It’s a collector’s kind of thing, and most of the ones I know have a very nice setup.”

As Miller said, “One man’s insanity is another man’s passion. That’s what makes the world go round.”

wbuchheit@greercitizen.com | 877-2076