Non-native small mammal species in the South African pet trade

Shivambu, Ndivhuwo; Shivambu, Tinyiko C.; Downs, Colleen T.

doi:10.3391/mbi.2021.12.2.06

Cited by 7 publications

(30 citation statements)

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Section: Data Collection and Species Selectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For this study, we used a list of traded non-native mammalian pet species compiled from a previous study [48]. Species recorded were compiled by visiting a total of 122 pet stores (Figure 1) from nine South African provinces between September 2018 and September 2019 [48]. The study included small-and medium-sized mammalian species < 5 kg, belonging to the following orders: Rodentia, Carnivora, Primates, Eulipotyphla, Lagomorpha and Diprotodontia [48].…”

Section: Data Collection and Species Selectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Species recorded were compiled by visiting a total of 122 pet stores (Figure 1) from nine South African provinces between September 2018 and September 2019 [48]. The study included small-and medium-sized mammalian species < 5 kg, belonging to the following orders: Rodentia, Carnivora, Primates, Eulipotyphla, Lagomorpha and Diprotodontia [48]. We selected species from the previous study [48] for SDM based on the following: (1) potential environmental and socio-economic impacts [13], (2) distribution records in both or either native or introduced ranges, (3) history of invasion elsewhere and introduction pathway, and (4) availability (popularity) in the South African pet trade [12,48] (Table 1).…”

Section: Data Collection and Species Selectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several nonnative mammals, including the world's worst invasive species, such as house mice and Norwegian rats, are sold in the South African pet trade [47]. Previous studies focused on determining the extent of the mammalian species trade and assessing their potential environmental and socio-economic impacts in South Africa [13,48]. Relatively little has been done to investigate whether species sold in South Africa have potential climatic suitability.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Relatively little has been done to investigate whether species sold in South Africa have potential climatic suitability. Therefore, we compiled a list of non-native mammalian species sold as pets in South Africa obtained from a previous study [48] to determine their potential distribution based on ecological niches in South Africa. We also determined if the human footprint explained the potential distribution of house mice and Norwegian rats.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Predicting the Potential Distribution of Non-Native Mammalian Species Sold in the South African Pet Trade

Shivambu

Downs

2021

Diversity

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The pet trade is one of the main pathways of introduction of several mammals worldwide. In South Africa, non-native mammalian species are traded as pets, and so far, only four of these species are considered invasive. We used a list of 24 companion mammalian species compiled from a previous study. We selected a subset of 14 species for species distribution modeling (SDM) based on their trade popularity, invasion history and potential economic and socio-economic impacts. We aimed to estimate their potential distribution using their distribution records. Our SDM indicated that climate in South Africa was suitable for most traded species. However, commonly and easily available species had the broadest areas of suitable climates, such as house mice (Mus musculus) and Norwegian rats (Rattus norvegicus). In addition, the model with a human footprint suggested a high risk of invasion for Norwegian rats but less for house mice distribution. This assessment suggests the need of strict trade regulations and management strategies for pet mammals with broader suitability, which are already invasive, and most available for sale. In addition, our results provide a baseline approach that can be used to identify mammalian pet species with a potential risk of invasion so that urgent preventive measures can be implemented.

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Section: Data Collection and Species Selectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Data Collection and Species Selectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Data Collection and Species Selectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Predicting the Potential Distribution of Non-Native Mammalian Species Sold in the South African Pet Trade

Shivambu

Downs

2021

Diversity

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Online and pet stores as sources of trade for reptiles in South Africa

Mantintsilili

Shivambu

et al. 2022

Journal for Nature Conservation

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Survey of non‐native small mammals traded in South Africa

Shivambu

Downs

2022

Afr J Ecol

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The sale of live non-native animals has become a social norm and is of global concern.The pet trade industry has become one of the main pathways where non-native small mammals are introduced worldwide. We conducted a questionnaire survey in South African pet shops from September 2018 to September 2019 to gain insights into nonnative small mammalian species trade in South Africa. We also investigated whether the pet shop owners were aware of the South African National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEM: BA; No. 10 of 2004), which regulates and provides management and conservation of the country's biodiversity. A total of 111 pet shop owners/managers responded to the survey, with 26.6% of the owners reporting the sale of birds, 25.1% of fish and 22.5% of mammals. A total of 16 non-native small mammalian species were reported sold, with European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), Norwegian rats (Rattus norvegicus) and house mice (Mus musculus) being the most commonly sold pets. We found that breeders, animal rescues and pet shops were the major suppliers of small mammal pets, and in terms of the regulation, most respondents (67.8%) were aware of NEM: BA. However, despite the knowledge of the regulations, some of the traded species pose a serious invasion threat. As a result, we recommend increased regulation, monitoring and public awareness to prevent the potential negative impacts associated with non-native mammal species in South Africa.

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Non-native small mammal species in the South African pet trade

Cited by 7 publications

References 0 publications

Predicting the Potential Distribution of Non-Native Mammalian Species Sold in the South African Pet Trade

Predicting the Potential Distribution of Non-Native Mammalian Species Sold in the South African Pet Trade

Online and pet stores as sources of trade for reptiles in South Africa

Survey of non‐native small mammals traded in South Africa

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