This study investigated trends and characteristics of the non-native amphibian and reptile pet market in South Korea, focusing on commercial breeding practices based on online data collected through August 2021. A total of 351 commercial breeding cases involving 106 species (79 reptiles and 27 amphibians) were documented. The Burmese python was first recorded in 2008, followed by the golden tree frog in 2015. Since 2013, commercial breeding activity has significantly increased, particularly among squamates and testudines. The corn snake emerged as the most frequently bred reptile, while the Dendrobatidae family was the only amphibian group noted among the most commonly bred species. According to IUCN Red List criteria, 77.5% of the bred species were classified as Least Concern. However, species of conservation concern were also identified, including one Extinct, three Critically Endangered, and one Endangered species. Private breeders represented 67.9% of the cases, achieving a breeding success rate of 73.3%. Despite evident market growth and breeder activity, the prevalence of endangered and invasive species, along with insufficient regulation, poses significant risks to biodiversity. These findings highlight the urgent need for enhanced monitoring, stricter legal frameworks, and targeted public education to mitigate the impacts of the expanding exotic pet market in Korea.

Abstract
1. INTRODUCTION
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
    2.1. Data collection
    2.2. Data categorization
    2.3. Statistical analysis
3. RESULTS
    3.1. Diversity of commercial breeding inSouth Korea
    3.2. Trend in commercial breeding
    3.3. Most commonly bred speciesin South Korea
    3.4. Conservation status of commerciallybred species
    3.5. Type of commercial breeder
4. DISCUSSION
5. CONCLUSION
SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS
CRediT authorship contribution statement
Declaration of Competing Interest
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
REFERENCES

• Soo Jeong Park(Underwood International College, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea)
• Eugene Kim(School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, 92093, USA)
• Injeong Jeon(Gumi Youth-led Ecological Monitoring Team, Gumi 39196, Republic of Korea)
• Kyo Soung Koo(Korean Environmental Geography Institute, Sejong 30141, Republic of Korea) Corresponding author