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The Lizard King: The True Crimes and Passions of the World's Greatest Reptile Smugglers
Imagine The Sopranos , with snakes! The Lizard King is a fascinating account of a father and son family business suspected of smuggling reptiles, and the federal agent who tried to take them down.
When Bryan Christy began to investigate the world of reptile smuggling, he had no idea what he would be in for. In the course of his research, he was bitten between the eyes by a blood python, chased by a mother alligator, and sprayed by a bird-eating tarantula. But perhaps more dangerous was coming face to face with Michael J. Van Nostrand, owner of Strictly Reptiles, a thriving family business in Hollywood, Florida. Van Nostrand imports as many as 300,000 iguanas each year (over half the total of America's most popular imported reptile), as well as hundreds of thousands of snakes, lizards, frogs, spiders, and scorpions.
Van Nostrand was suspected of being a reptile smuggler by Special Agent Chip Bepler of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, who devoted years of his life in an obsessive quest to expose The Lizard King's cold-blooded crimes. How this cat-and-mouse game ended is engrossing and surprising.
When Bryan Christy began to investigate the world of reptile smuggling, he had no idea what he would be in for. In the course of his research, he was bitten between the eyes by a blood python, chased by a mother alligator, and sprayed by a bird-eating tarantula. But perhaps more dangerous was coming face to face with Michael J. Van Nostrand, owner of Strictly Reptiles, a thriving family business in Hollywood, Florida. Van Nostrand imports as many as 300,000 iguanas each year (over half the total of America's most popular imported reptile), as well as hundreds of thousands of snakes, lizards, frogs, spiders, and scorpions.
Van Nostrand was suspected of being a reptile smuggler by Special Agent Chip Bepler of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, who devoted years of his life in an obsessive quest to expose The Lizard King's cold-blooded crimes. How this cat-and-mouse game ended is engrossing and surprising.
241 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2008
48 people are currently reading
850 people want to read
About the author
Bryan Christy
5 books23 followersBryan Christy is an American author and an internationally renowned investigative journalist. He is the founder and former director of National Geographic's Special Investigations Unit and a National Geographic Society Rolex Explorer of the Year. Christy worked as a freelance writer and chief correspondent for National Geographic Magazine, an Explorer Series television host, a documentary filmmaker, speaker, and educator. In 2008, Christy published his non-fiction book "The Lizard King". In 2017, Christy left National Geographic to focus on his first novel, "In the Company of Killers" which releases to the public on April 13, 2021.
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April 29, 2009
Ray Van Nostrand is nuts about reptiles. Even as a child, he bought and resold thousands of turtles, snakes, newts and other creepy crawly things. Before regulation of such trade began in the late 20th century (strange to phrase it that way) it was legal to import all sorts of endangered animals. Polio could probably not have been conquered without thousands of monkeys to experiment on. Preventing such trade is the charge of the Fish and Wildife service, a woefully underfunded agency, that struggles to do the best job it can. The book follows the career of Chris Bepler who manages to unravel the web of illegal smuggling done by the Van Nostrand family, owners of Strictly Reptiles, an ostensibly legitimate reptile dealer, which had a virtual monopoly on the business. But this book really isn't about one individual; it's about a very profitable industry and the governments attempts to curtail a business that was devastating endangered species. The reader is also treated to numerous anecdotes, often seemingly unconnected, but interesting, nevertheless.
There is one story very similar to one in The Snake Charmer A Life and Death in Pursuit of Knowledge. Dr. Schmidt, an herpetologst in New York, walked into one of his labs to see an assistant holding up an African snake in an attempt to identify it in a book. Schmidt took the snake, grabbing it a little to far behind the head and was bitten. Turns out it was a boomslang, particularly venomous. Schmidt decided to document his experience from bite to recovery, it having been a small critter and he a reasonably healthy 67. He had some symptoms, but by the next morning appeared to be better, so much so he went to work. He died of respiratory failure later that afternoon. Joe Slowinski, in The Snake Charmer, another herpetologist on an expedition to Burma, reached into a bag that he thought contained a non-venomous mimic of the multi-banded krait, an extremely poisonous snake. He died, too, after documenting his symptoms. Most snake lovers are male and seem to be drawn to an adventurous lifestyle. I don't much care for snakes. I guess that says a lot about me.
Surprisingly enough, much of the business for reptile smugglers came from zoos. Often they would facilitate illegal activities by running front men, hiding paperwork, etc. Even though they could legally import many of the animals they sought, it was easier (with less paperwork) to do it illegally. Zoos compete to get the most people visiting their locations; they also compete professionally. To have the prestige of the "most complete collection of a genus, longevity record, first to breed." It was all one-upsmanship.
Breeding reptiles is not easy. Until the late sixties no one even knew hoe to sex the, The sex organs are concealed within a single excretory vent known as the cloaca. "It was not until 1967, for example, that Peter Brazaitis at the Bronx zoo stuck his finger into a sleeping alligator's cloaca and discovered how to sex alligators." One wonders how long the alligator remained sleeping. Probably leaped several yards in the air. Pretty funny, actually. Hank Molt, the dealer who was doing business with the zoos was finally prosecuted under a multitude of charges. The problem was some prominent zoos were involved and the word came down from on high to lay off. Still, he got one of the largest prison sentences ever (3 months in a federal prison!). But in the meantime some of the regulatory laws were gutted in the process.
Ironically, in another example of the law of unintended consequences, many of the laws (CITES, the Endangered Species Act, the Lacey Act) made trafficking in endangered animals much more profitable. Since the number of people willing to break the law was relatively small, and scarcity made for profitability, the endangered animals were the most sought after making them even more endangered. The biological and the regulatory combined to make the business extremely profitable.
Strictly Reptiles, the Van Nostrand family business was soon attracting the business of smugglers from around thew world. They could supply anything and soon became the target of a new federal task force. Van Nostrand was also selling hundreds of thousands of legal pet store animals and had a sophisticated system set up in his warehouse (an old Frito-Lay warehouse built right on the top of the line between two police jurisdictions, something that came in handy) that would disguise and hide protected species when anyone remotely suspected of being a Fed would show up. His price list was amazing: baby water moccasins for $5, a black mamba for $500, all the way up to a pair of giant Aldabra tortoises for $23,000.
Lots of interesting details about animal smuggling and its unintended consequences. It's not well put together, though. Van Nostrand was a primary source for this book so much of the action is seen through his eyes, but it also follows the career of Chip Bepler, the Fish and Game officer responsible for collecting much of the information for Van Nostrand's successful prosecution. I would have liked to give this book 4 stars, but it ends so abruptly, that I literally checked my Kindle version to make sure I wasn't missing some pages. Chip Bepler died in his late forties so his part just falls off the edge. If you think this review is disjointed, you'll have a good idea of the book. On the other hand, if you like a books filled with lots of detail about a bizarre business, the pages will fly by.
By the way, next time you fly somewhere, the guy's bag next to you may just be filled with endangered snakes or turtles.
There is one story very similar to one in The Snake Charmer A Life and Death in Pursuit of Knowledge. Dr. Schmidt, an herpetologst in New York, walked into one of his labs to see an assistant holding up an African snake in an attempt to identify it in a book. Schmidt took the snake, grabbing it a little to far behind the head and was bitten. Turns out it was a boomslang, particularly venomous. Schmidt decided to document his experience from bite to recovery, it having been a small critter and he a reasonably healthy 67. He had some symptoms, but by the next morning appeared to be better, so much so he went to work. He died of respiratory failure later that afternoon. Joe Slowinski, in The Snake Charmer, another herpetologist on an expedition to Burma, reached into a bag that he thought contained a non-venomous mimic of the multi-banded krait, an extremely poisonous snake. He died, too, after documenting his symptoms. Most snake lovers are male and seem to be drawn to an adventurous lifestyle. I don't much care for snakes. I guess that says a lot about me.
Surprisingly enough, much of the business for reptile smugglers came from zoos. Often they would facilitate illegal activities by running front men, hiding paperwork, etc. Even though they could legally import many of the animals they sought, it was easier (with less paperwork) to do it illegally. Zoos compete to get the most people visiting their locations; they also compete professionally. To have the prestige of the "most complete collection of a genus, longevity record, first to breed." It was all one-upsmanship.
Breeding reptiles is not easy. Until the late sixties no one even knew hoe to sex the, The sex organs are concealed within a single excretory vent known as the cloaca. "It was not until 1967, for example, that Peter Brazaitis at the Bronx zoo stuck his finger into a sleeping alligator's cloaca and discovered how to sex alligators." One wonders how long the alligator remained sleeping. Probably leaped several yards in the air. Pretty funny, actually. Hank Molt, the dealer who was doing business with the zoos was finally prosecuted under a multitude of charges. The problem was some prominent zoos were involved and the word came down from on high to lay off. Still, he got one of the largest prison sentences ever (3 months in a federal prison!). But in the meantime some of the regulatory laws were gutted in the process.
Ironically, in another example of the law of unintended consequences, many of the laws (CITES, the Endangered Species Act, the Lacey Act) made trafficking in endangered animals much more profitable. Since the number of people willing to break the law was relatively small, and scarcity made for profitability, the endangered animals were the most sought after making them even more endangered. The biological and the regulatory combined to make the business extremely profitable.
Strictly Reptiles, the Van Nostrand family business was soon attracting the business of smugglers from around thew world. They could supply anything and soon became the target of a new federal task force. Van Nostrand was also selling hundreds of thousands of legal pet store animals and had a sophisticated system set up in his warehouse (an old Frito-Lay warehouse built right on the top of the line between two police jurisdictions, something that came in handy) that would disguise and hide protected species when anyone remotely suspected of being a Fed would show up. His price list was amazing: baby water moccasins for $5, a black mamba for $500, all the way up to a pair of giant Aldabra tortoises for $23,000.
Lots of interesting details about animal smuggling and its unintended consequences. It's not well put together, though. Van Nostrand was a primary source for this book so much of the action is seen through his eyes, but it also follows the career of Chip Bepler, the Fish and Game officer responsible for collecting much of the information for Van Nostrand's successful prosecution. I would have liked to give this book 4 stars, but it ends so abruptly, that I literally checked my Kindle version to make sure I wasn't missing some pages. Chip Bepler died in his late forties so his part just falls off the edge. If you think this review is disjointed, you'll have a good idea of the book. On the other hand, if you like a books filled with lots of detail about a bizarre business, the pages will fly by.
By the way, next time you fly somewhere, the guy's bag next to you may just be filled with endangered snakes or turtles.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2021
Really interesting read! I didn’t know that there was so much going on in the illegal reptile trade industry, and how easy it is for people to get away with things (which, to someone who studies the Endangered Species Act, is extremely infuriating but sadly not surprising). It was really cool learning that there are special agents in the US that work on wildlife issues, and I had no idea how dangerous the field can be. Christy did a good job crafting a narrative that was both and interesting story and informative. I normally don’t read true crime, but a classmate recommended this book and I’m really glad I read it! Would recommend if you want to learn about this topic!
December 16, 2018
Reading 'The Lizard King' was not because I have an interest in reptiles. They’re not my thing. Heck, I get nervous being near candy Gummy Worms. However, I’ve found out over the past ten years that Twelve Publishers prints some damn interesting material, so ‘The Lizard King’ attracted my attention. Also, we had an odd incident here in southern Maine back in 2016 where two police officers spotted a large snake eating a mammal believed to be a beaver on the banks of the Presumpscot River in Westbrook. It’s one town over from where my family and I live. Officials believed it was probably an exotic pet that escaped or was released by its owner. The thing was eventually named Wessie. A wildlife biologist with Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, said the snake was most likely a Burmese python which is native to Asia but has been breeding in the Florida Everglades. Mainers knew that if officials did not find the snake, when winter arrived, its chances of survival where that of a snowman sitting in a lava pool. The wildlife biologist said, “They can reach that size (20 feet) in just a few years. A lot of times, people just let them go. That’s probably what happened here. It’s something that happens all over the country.” Reading ‘The Lizard King’ opened my eyes to this whole industry.
The book tested my faith in fellow man. And yes, I do mean man. The main characters who inhabit ‘The Lizard King’ are all men. The book takes place mostly in Florida. Miami is one of the three major points in which smugglers bring in illegal reptiles into the United States. The story mostly revolves around a cat-and-mouse chase, encompassing years, between two people, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agent Chip Bepler and a huge worldwide smuggler named Mike Van Nostrand. Mr. Christy does a fine job explaining the world of the reptile trade and its customers. Wow, there is jaw-dropping big money to be made smuggling and selling endangered animals to ethically-challenged and/or ignorant customers. Greed is the prime motivator in this industry. The book does not include photos, so I found myself looking up a lot of different photos showing snakes, lizards, frogs etc. Much like its politics, Florida is ground zero for impropriety. The problem is across the entire United States as well as the world but Florida is where Satan parks his van when on he wants a change of scenery from Hell in the wildlife department. The author explains the psychology behind reptile collectors and why most people are repelled by such cold-blooded creatures. It also explains how genetic manipulation is expanding the market. There a lot I learned from reading the book.
‘The Lizard King’ is a highly informative and entertaining work. Mr. Christy interviewed all the main characters in his book. Nothing in the thing is conjecture or fabrication. The chapter ‘Author’s Note’ at the end of the story is well worth reading. There were people who inhabit this book that I dearly wished would meet a terrible painful end. However, the author ends on a philosophical note with sympathy even towards a few of the smugglers. He’s a better person than me. What human greed is doing to animals and our planet is truly heartbreaking. I found ‘The Lizard King’ an engrossing nonfiction work but concluded it with not much hope for our planet. Based upon our impact, humans will certainly never be mistaken for the Thornberry family or Dr. Seuss’ Lorax.
The book tested my faith in fellow man. And yes, I do mean man. The main characters who inhabit ‘The Lizard King’ are all men. The book takes place mostly in Florida. Miami is one of the three major points in which smugglers bring in illegal reptiles into the United States. The story mostly revolves around a cat-and-mouse chase, encompassing years, between two people, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agent Chip Bepler and a huge worldwide smuggler named Mike Van Nostrand. Mr. Christy does a fine job explaining the world of the reptile trade and its customers. Wow, there is jaw-dropping big money to be made smuggling and selling endangered animals to ethically-challenged and/or ignorant customers. Greed is the prime motivator in this industry. The book does not include photos, so I found myself looking up a lot of different photos showing snakes, lizards, frogs etc. Much like its politics, Florida is ground zero for impropriety. The problem is across the entire United States as well as the world but Florida is where Satan parks his van when on he wants a change of scenery from Hell in the wildlife department. The author explains the psychology behind reptile collectors and why most people are repelled by such cold-blooded creatures. It also explains how genetic manipulation is expanding the market. There a lot I learned from reading the book.
‘The Lizard King’ is a highly informative and entertaining work. Mr. Christy interviewed all the main characters in his book. Nothing in the thing is conjecture or fabrication. The chapter ‘Author’s Note’ at the end of the story is well worth reading. There were people who inhabit this book that I dearly wished would meet a terrible painful end. However, the author ends on a philosophical note with sympathy even towards a few of the smugglers. He’s a better person than me. What human greed is doing to animals and our planet is truly heartbreaking. I found ‘The Lizard King’ an engrossing nonfiction work but concluded it with not much hope for our planet. Based upon our impact, humans will certainly never be mistaken for the Thornberry family or Dr. Seuss’ Lorax.
January 19, 2013
My first instinct toward this book was dismissive: sensational cover blurbs are a turn-off for me, not to mention that I was irritated, in the first few pages, by the author's style. But then just a few pages later I was hooked. It may be a backhanded compliment, but Christy succeeds here despite all the publishing hype ("Imagine The Sopranos, with snakes!" Oh please. Spare me.) and trendy multi-viewpoint narrative. His complex and even-handed treatment of both the criminals and law enforcement agents is convincing and absorbing.
Christy gives the reader enough background to understand the ramifications and extent of the snugglers' trade but doesn't get sidetracked from the central tale, which is something I admire very much. All too often, it seems, an investigative writer gets carried away by the minutiae of his or her research and can't help putting it on parade. But not here.
It did take a bit of attentiveness to keep who was who straight as the narrative demonstrates the modern penchant for jumping from one viewpoint or thread to another. This wasn't a critical flaw, but, like the publishing hype, something the reader has to swat aside like a mosquito whining persistently near one's ear. Someday, I tell myself, this sort of narrative will be supplanted by some other and no doubt future readers will marvel at the our quaintness.
Personal aside: I was given this book as a gift, no doubt because I've enthused so often about another reptile-centric book, Jeremy Seals'
The Snakebite Survivors' Club: Travels among Serpents, which along with The Snake Charmer: A Life and Death in Pursuit of Knowledge pretty much comprises my herpetological reading. While I was an avid collector of garter snakes and horn toads in my youth, I can't say that I'm particularly drawn to reptiles (thought I'm not repelled by them, either). However, reading these books has provided some insight into a rather strange subculture. And are not such glimpses always fascinating?
Christy gives the reader enough background to understand the ramifications and extent of the snugglers' trade but doesn't get sidetracked from the central tale, which is something I admire very much. All too often, it seems, an investigative writer gets carried away by the minutiae of his or her research and can't help putting it on parade. But not here.
It did take a bit of attentiveness to keep who was who straight as the narrative demonstrates the modern penchant for jumping from one viewpoint or thread to another. This wasn't a critical flaw, but, like the publishing hype, something the reader has to swat aside like a mosquito whining persistently near one's ear. Someday, I tell myself, this sort of narrative will be supplanted by some other and no doubt future readers will marvel at the our quaintness.
Personal aside: I was given this book as a gift, no doubt because I've enthused so often about another reptile-centric book, Jeremy Seals'
The Snakebite Survivors' Club: Travels among Serpents, which along with The Snake Charmer: A Life and Death in Pursuit of Knowledge pretty much comprises my herpetological reading. While I was an avid collector of garter snakes and horn toads in my youth, I can't say that I'm particularly drawn to reptiles (thought I'm not repelled by them, either). However, reading these books has provided some insight into a rather strange subculture. And are not such glimpses always fascinating?
May 27, 2011
This book is about the smuggle of snakes and the underworld of it.
All based on true occurrings.
I was curious about this book because I'm fairly interested in snakes. Although, I used to be when I was young. Studied them for years. So nowadays I know a lot about snakes but there is one thing conflicting with this; I'm very, very scared of them.
I hoped that a lot of snakes were mentioned, but in this book it's more of the smuggling of it. (I could know that) A bit disappointing for me, personally.
The Lizard King contains stories about smugglers. Some incredible (too incredible too believe, for me) and some quite disgusting stories.
I rate this book with one star, not because it's that bad, but because I didn't like it, and expected a somewhat other content.
I gave this book away after I read it.
All based on true occurrings.
I was curious about this book because I'm fairly interested in snakes. Although, I used to be when I was young. Studied them for years. So nowadays I know a lot about snakes but there is one thing conflicting with this; I'm very, very scared of them.
I hoped that a lot of snakes were mentioned, but in this book it's more of the smuggling of it. (I could know that) A bit disappointing for me, personally.
The Lizard King contains stories about smugglers. Some incredible (too incredible too believe, for me) and some quite disgusting stories.
I rate this book with one star, not because it's that bad, but because I didn't like it, and expected a somewhat other content.
I gave this book away after I read it.
August 12, 2008
I enjoyed this unusual true crime book very much with its colorful cast of characters. It was extremely sad to me that the people fighting the exploitation of reptiles and, in fact, all wildlife, have so little clout in the legal arena. Importers of endangered illegal species make millions and risk slaps on the wrist at most. I've always had animals around and been fascinated by them and remember reading the Raymond Ditmars books and Henry Treffleck, the famous pet store owner's stories and later Gerald Durrell. The dark side of the animal trade is especially horrifying knowing the fragile state of our world and that aspects come through loud and clear in the book.
July 22, 2015
I feel like the measure of a successful true crime book is how much you want to steer conversations you're in to talk about weird shit you read in the book. Well let me tell you over the past few days I've told people A LOT of things about reptile smuggling.
August 20, 2025
wowww this story is crazy
February 5, 2020
Much more interesting than I expected. I never knew there was such a booming illegal and legal reptile business.
February 28, 2021
Loved it
July 26, 2008
This amazing story that exposes the criminal underbelly of the illegal animal-smuggling trade and the dedicated U.S Fish and Wildlife agents who brought down "The Reptile Mafia" in Miami was so riveting that I have done nothing in the past two days but sit with my eyeballs glued to it. The author is a journalist who has written for both National Geographic and Playboy, so he gets the facts/pacing ratio just right:) The prose is crisp and clean, and man, does it ever MOVE. This is nonfiction at its most readable, with fascinating reptile trivia sandwiched in between the fast-paced true story of a Florida-based reptile-smuggling kingpin and his nemesis, a young clean-cut Fish and Wildlife agent who became obsessed with destroying his global operation. Simply one of the most entertaining nonfiction reads I've come across in awhile.
September 30, 2009
I agree with the review in Publisher's Weekly that the author had a great idea, but didn't present the information in a straightforward way. The story jumps around, and I kept having to flip back a few pages to see what guy the author was writing about. Some of the tales were fascinating. I couldn't believe how much the reptile smugglers make in America and it was disgusting to learn how these critters are smuggled into our country. If the tale didn't jump around so much, I would have enjoyed it more. I liked the special federal agent who spent his life trying to nail down the Lizard King, but that didn't come into focus until the end of the book.
October 31, 2017
For me, there are two kinds of true crime books that are hard to read: abuse to children and abuse to animals. I don't understand how someone can be cruel to animals and I don't understand how anyone can keep wild animals for pets. The reptile dealers in this book make thousands of dollars from rare reptiles. They will do anything to get these rare reptiles from other countries and even if they get caught the punishment is usually not that bad and when they get out they get right back into the business. They don't care if the reptiles are endangered- they make even more money the rarer they are. I hate reading about this but feel it is a story that needs to be told.
Currently reading
September 24, 2008Just starting it.
June 1, 2020
As a reptile afficionado who is also fascinated by true crime, I was really looking forward to reading this book! Unfortunately, it didn't fully live up to expectations. While Christy manages to paint a good picture of the economics behind reptile smuggling, he spends very little time detailing why it's a problem in the first place (animal welfare, introductions of invasive species, removing threatened species from their ideal environment thus leading to a population decline, etc). When he does mention the problems with animal smuggling, it's often in passing. There were several points in the book where I couldn't help but feel the absence of this discussion. Occasionally the book also seems to skim over people, too. We don't really learn much about Ray Sr.'s post-incarceration life, which I'm assuming means that it was less eventful than what was happening with his son, but I'm not sure. And I could've read an entire book about Mr. Wong, but instead his story feels almost like it was put in there to add more words. I'm sure it's hard to find information about him, but if Christy wanted to make him a major player in the story, I think more details would have been better.
All that aside, the action in this book is really interesting. I had no idea how prolific reptile smuggling is/was, or how profitable it could be for the perpetrators. I didn't realize how easily it could be done, either. I also learned about a lot of endangered species that I hadn't heard of before. It's also a good book to bring up in conversation. Or maybe not - my partner is a reptile expert, so when I was discussing it with him, we had a lot we could talk about, but maybe that won't be true for everyone.
Overall, I'd say this book is worth reading, but there may be some additional research you'd want to do on your to supplement what happens here.
All that aside, the action in this book is really interesting. I had no idea how prolific reptile smuggling is/was, or how profitable it could be for the perpetrators. I didn't realize how easily it could be done, either. I also learned about a lot of endangered species that I hadn't heard of before. It's also a good book to bring up in conversation. Or maybe not - my partner is a reptile expert, so when I was discussing it with him, we had a lot we could talk about, but maybe that won't be true for everyone.
Overall, I'd say this book is worth reading, but there may be some additional research you'd want to do on your to supplement what happens here.
July 4, 2020
I have reptiles as pets and have been interested in animal advocacy and how illegal animal smuggling plays a role in the pet industry. I’ve been to reptile expos and talked to many reptile breeders from geckos to turtles. These expos have a large range of exotic pets for purchase, some animals I believe shouldn’t be kept as pets. I don’t understand why you would want to own an alligator or a Burmese python. I don’t see the appeal of owning dangerous or endangered species.
This book is about a U.S. Fish and Wildlife officer on the hunt for a crime kingpin of the reptile smuggling business. What I hadn’t fully understood until now is how so much of crime is weaved with one another. The same people who are involved in the black market of exotic animals know the drug cartels, who also know the human traffickers. By not enforcing the law on one of these crimes, they all benefit and continue an endless cycle. This book also entails why there is such a demand for exotic snakes and turtles by collectors around the world. The kind of people who develop an addiction to owning the most venomous snake or largest lizard known to man.
I had this on my list to read because J.A. Mills author of, “Blood of the Tiger”, mentioned it in her book about the tiger trade and conservation. My only issue with “The Lizard King” was some of the sentence structure was hard to read. There are a lot of name drops and I almost had to take notes on which players were connected with who. Overall, I did enjoy this book and gained more knowledge on the subject than I would have otherwise. If you have any interest in reptiles or the illegal pet trade, I would recommend this.
This book is about a U.S. Fish and Wildlife officer on the hunt for a crime kingpin of the reptile smuggling business. What I hadn’t fully understood until now is how so much of crime is weaved with one another. The same people who are involved in the black market of exotic animals know the drug cartels, who also know the human traffickers. By not enforcing the law on one of these crimes, they all benefit and continue an endless cycle. This book also entails why there is such a demand for exotic snakes and turtles by collectors around the world. The kind of people who develop an addiction to owning the most venomous snake or largest lizard known to man.
I had this on my list to read because J.A. Mills author of, “Blood of the Tiger”, mentioned it in her book about the tiger trade and conservation. My only issue with “The Lizard King” was some of the sentence structure was hard to read. There are a lot of name drops and I almost had to take notes on which players were connected with who. Overall, I did enjoy this book and gained more knowledge on the subject than I would have otherwise. If you have any interest in reptiles or the illegal pet trade, I would recommend this.
February 2, 2025
This is a true-life account of the international reptile smuggling activity that was prevalent in the 1980s and 1990s, after the introduction of CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). A very esoteric topic, but one that I find immensely interesting.
The book holds a lot of interest for those who are involved in the reptile “community” as some of the people profiled in the book are still active in the reptile world today.
I appreciated that the book was written almost as a tribute to one of the central characters, Fish and Wildlife Services agent Chip Bepler, who tragically passed away at a young age.
Another aspect of the story that is interesting is that many of the endangered reptiles that were smuggled into the United States during the period featured in the book have since become quite prevalent in captivity, through the breeding efforts of reptile enthusiasts. Without this illegal activity decades ago some of these animals might be near extinction today.
While I found the subject matter interesting, the book is not necessarily written in a great-story-I-can’t-put-it-down way
The book holds a lot of interest for those who are involved in the reptile “community” as some of the people profiled in the book are still active in the reptile world today.
I appreciated that the book was written almost as a tribute to one of the central characters, Fish and Wildlife Services agent Chip Bepler, who tragically passed away at a young age.
Another aspect of the story that is interesting is that many of the endangered reptiles that were smuggled into the United States during the period featured in the book have since become quite prevalent in captivity, through the breeding efforts of reptile enthusiasts. Without this illegal activity decades ago some of these animals might be near extinction today.
While I found the subject matter interesting, the book is not necessarily written in a great-story-I-can’t-put-it-down way
July 29, 2022
I sincerely mean it when I say that this is the best non-fiction book I’ve read in a long, long time. Bryan Christy’s writing is so engaging, I felt as if I were reading a thriller. I do wish dates and years were used more to give a better perspective on timeline, though (my ONLY complaint!).
This book is not for the faint of heart. It was extremely heartbreaking to read through the countless cases of wildlife abuse and death that run through the veins of the smuggling business. Christy is well-researched and has a birds-eye view of the cases; It allows you to learn about the US Fish & Wildlife Service and the way they are under-funded, under-represented, and yet still hold the weight of wildlife crimes (in the US and in the world) on their shoulders.
You see the inside of the nastiness that inherently lies in the pet trade. I’ll never look at a pet store the same. On the other hand, you truly meet some extraordinary people in this book who were trailblazers in wildlife law, protection, and investigation. I can’t recommend this book enough. 4.5 stars.
This book is not for the faint of heart. It was extremely heartbreaking to read through the countless cases of wildlife abuse and death that run through the veins of the smuggling business. Christy is well-researched and has a birds-eye view of the cases; It allows you to learn about the US Fish & Wildlife Service and the way they are under-funded, under-represented, and yet still hold the weight of wildlife crimes (in the US and in the world) on their shoulders.
You see the inside of the nastiness that inherently lies in the pet trade. I’ll never look at a pet store the same. On the other hand, you truly meet some extraordinary people in this book who were trailblazers in wildlife law, protection, and investigation. I can’t recommend this book enough. 4.5 stars.
October 30, 2021
3 1/2 stars. You don’t have to be a fan of lizards, snakes or turtles to enjoy this book. It’s a good guy vs. bad guy story. An agent for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service sets his sights on a kingpin importing rare and illegal reptiles. We get to know both men and what drives them to do what they do. The next book I’d like to see Christy write is an expansion of the jacket blurb about him: “In researching this book, he was bitten between the eyes by a blood python, chased by a mother alligator, sprayed by a bird-eating tarantula, and ejaculated on by a Bengal tiger.”. Now that’s a story worth telling.
December 28, 2021
A book we're reality is truly stranger than fiction. If your the sort of person who enjoys books about reptiles and/or true crime then this is the book for you. It combines those two aspect perfectly in a captivating and engrossing way. Pair that with larger then life individuals and unbelievable events that have twist and turns that are shocking makes for an entertaining and informative book. It shows a side of reptile collectors and keeping that I knew nothing about while following cops, smugglers, keeps, and major scientist in museums and zoos. An aspect of non-fiction I love and that shows the genre can be as fast paced and entertaining as fiction.
February 12, 2024
This book was incredible. It read like a science fiction novel with incredible pacing and a look into the world of reptile smuggling. The author did a great job of setting up the story, giving interesting insights into some of the animals being smuggled, and covering the complex humanity around the smugglers and the fish and wildlife officers prosecuting them. I also read the authors note which I never do, but the author does a great job of really pulling you into the story.
I would recommend this book again and again, I loved it.
I would recommend this book again and again, I loved it.
July 11, 2021
The Lizard King: The True Crimes and Passions of the World's Greatest Reptile Smugglers - The Tiger King ain't got nothing on these guys!
If you're looking for a nonfiction book that reads like fiction, this is it! If you're looking for a plot where sometimes the good guys are the bad guys and the bad guys are the good guys, here's your book. And if you want to read something unbelievable but true, look no further.
The lengths people have gone to in order to procure and trade exotic reptiles is ridiculous. The money that's changed hands is extraordinary! Growing up, I had a number of snakes, iguanas, even a Nile monitor, and I never stopped to think where these pets came from or what they went through before they came into my home. I feel horrible for having contributed to some of the horrors that occur in this eye-opening tale of the world's reptile trade, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
If you're looking for a nonfiction book that reads like fiction, this is it! If you're looking for a plot where sometimes the good guys are the bad guys and the bad guys are the good guys, here's your book. And if you want to read something unbelievable but true, look no further.
The lengths people have gone to in order to procure and trade exotic reptiles is ridiculous. The money that's changed hands is extraordinary! Growing up, I had a number of snakes, iguanas, even a Nile monitor, and I never stopped to think where these pets came from or what they went through before they came into my home. I feel horrible for having contributed to some of the horrors that occur in this eye-opening tale of the world's reptile trade, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
January 15, 2024
This was a super interesting book about smuggling reptiles. I was enthralled the entire time but found the different names to keep track of a bit hard. The book also states it's based on a true story but I find it a bit hard to believe all of the inner thoughts and reasonings are true. Those details make the book very good but I don't know how the author could know some of the inner thoughts of people related.
May 25, 2018
Wonderfully enlighting book about smuggling going on in the reptile trade. The Fist and Wildlife service do not get enough money or praise about trying to stop what is going on with reptiles and also with animals. Short staffed and with little or no money, they are trying to stop the trade in smuggling.
October 9, 2019
Who knew the world of reptile sales was so fraught with crime? The book was utterly fascinating, if perhaps, in need of some more editing. Still, the sometimes mixed narrative shouldn’t stop you from enjoying this weird section of American history. It sounds like the effects are far reaching and, I imagine, if you read it more slowly, some of the repetitive stuff wouldn’t pop out.
September 22, 2022
Turtles. Snakes. Lizards. OH MY!
Really fun read into the world of legal and illegal reptilian trades. Imagine going to the airport and getting screened with baby tortoises in your overcoat. For our kingpin, it was a reality. A good read told in a way that makes you wanting to see how this plays out.
Really fun read into the world of legal and illegal reptilian trades. Imagine going to the airport and getting screened with baby tortoises in your overcoat. For our kingpin, it was a reality. A good read told in a way that makes you wanting to see how this plays out.
July 16, 2017
Listened to this on a cross country trip. Extremely interesting, but there is one sad description of snakes used to smuggle cocaine that I can't get out of my head, even several years later. If cruelty to animals distresses you a lot, read with caution.
May 12, 2021
I picked this up as a random thrift find - AND IT WAS GREAT. Changes the way I view the pet industry and the structure of wildlife protection services. Such a niche story that also itched the “true crime” itch.
November 30, 2022
1) Miami in the 2010’s has NOTHING on the craziness of Miami in the 1980’s. I love that this all happened where I lived.
2) We had always joked that the Exotic Reptiles store downtown looked like a front for the mob. I don’t think that is a joke anymore!
2) We had always joked that the Exotic Reptiles store downtown looked like a front for the mob. I don’t think that is a joke anymore!
January 4, 2025
I always begin the year by reading a book about a subject I like. This time it was reptiles. I would say that it didn’t disappoint, but it reminded me of how big a problem animal smuggling is. It did though, introduce me to reptile species I never heard of before.
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