Podbit · The Joe Rogan Experience

#2536 - Eric Goode & Jeremy McBride

Explore episode Aug 6, 2026

Business

The US Is Now Exporting Native Turtles to China — and It's a Half-Million Dollar Problem

#2536 - Eric Goode & Jeremy McBride · Aug 6, 2026 Business

The illegal wildlife trade has flipped. Native American turtles — wood turtles, spotted turtles, box turtles — are now being collected across the Midwest and shipped to China and Taiwan, where they fetch thousands of dollars each as exotic pets. A recent confiscation was valued at half a million dollars once the turtles reached the Chinese market.

Where this was said

Pop Culture, Disney, and the Accidental Poaching Pipeline

At 2:10:50 · chapter starts 2:00:50

Eric Goode and Jeremy McBride present one of the most underappreciated mechanisms driving wildlife extinction: major entertainment properties. The pattern is consistent and predictable. Finding Nemo hit theaters and clownfish disappeared from reefs as every child demanded a Nemo. Harry Potter made owls fashionable, and Eric recalls walking through Asian markets after the films' release and seeing cage after cage of Harry Potter owls. Jurassic Park created the green iguana boom that led directly to Florida's invasive species crisis.^{[1]

— Eric Goode

"Every major animal-themed movie creates a wave of demand for that animal as a pet. Finding Nemo emptied clownfish from reefs. Harry Potter …"

2:07:02} And now, Zootopia featuring a snake character is apparently going gangbusters in China, raising the possibility that demand for pet snakes could spike. Tiger King gets examined as a potential counter-example: did it inspire tiger ownership or discourage it? The filmmakers believe it raised awareness that roadside zoo photo opportunities were exploitative, rather than sparking ownership demand. Eric darkly jokes that he hopes Monsters of God makes everyone want a snake again.

Society & Culture

The Disney Effect: How Children's Movies Drive Endangered Species to Extinction

#2536 - Eric Goode & Jeremy McBride · Aug 6, 2026 Society & Culture

Every major animal-themed movie creates a wave of demand for that animal as a pet. Finding Nemo emptied clownfish from reefs. Harry Potter flooded Asian markets with owls. Jurassic Park turbocharged the iguana trade. Now Zootopia is driving snake demand in China. The most well-intentioned entertainment becomes a poaching driver.

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