A global assessment of reptiles in the skin trade

We collated and analyzed information from multiple sources to assess conservation implications of the commercial trade in reptile skins from 2000 to 2020. Of > 71 million skins reported over that period, the most heavily-traded taxa were three crocodilians (Caiman crocodilus, Alligator mississippiensis, Crocodylus niloticus), three snakes (Homalopsis buccata, Cerberus rhynchops, Malayopython reticulatus) and one lizard (Varanus salvator). In total, 70% of exports were from Indonesia, Colombia, United States, Malaysia, and Argentina, and 78% of imports were from Singapore, Italy, Mexico, France, and Germany. Approximately 45% of traded animals were reported to be collected from the wild, with most others being captive-bred (37%). Traded species exhibited highly specific traits including large body size, broad distributions, and high reproductive output. The squamates in trade generally have relatively early age at maturity and large clutch sizes. Together, these life history and ecological traits make traded species amenable to sustainable use. Most reptiles in the skin trade are ranked as Least Concern by the IUCN, and reptile species traded for skins are less threatened overall than non-traded species. Despite the large volume of commercial trade in reptile skins globally, this harvesting appears to be biologically sustainable in the vast majority of cases.