International trade in endangered species is regulated by the Convention on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora (CITES). In Germany, the BfN is the national CITES authority responsible for regulating international trade in protected species. Currently, trade in CITES listed live reptiles and amphibians mainly involves animals declared as captive-bred. While legal trade in captive-bred animals can contribute to species conservation, trade in wild-caught animals that are falsely declared as captive-bred to circumvent trade restrictions can be very harmful to wild populations. Therefore, verifying the origin of traded animals is a significant challenge for CITES authorities worldwide.
With this illustrative new guidance commissioned by the BfN, comprehensive data on the reproduction, biology, and husbandry requirements for the species most recently listed in CITES Appendices I and II are provided. These data were collected through interview surveys and literature research and compiled by the German Herpetological Society (DGHT). In addition, an assessment of difficulties and complexities involved in keeping and breeding these species in captivity was provided.

The guidance aims to support national and international conservation authorities in verifying the plausibility of breeding claims for these species, thereby improving the implementation of the CITES convention and helping to curb illegal trade. The guidance is now available online as a BfN script in both German and English.

Germany is one of the world's major importers of live reptiles and their parts and products (such as leather for the fashion industry), and bears thereby a responsibility for the protection of these species. Germany therefore advocates for the protection of species threatened by international trade and continuously develops support tools to help implementation and enforncement of CITES listings.