But not only are these reptiles short on popularity in Hong Kong, they are also in short supply, thanks to the new cargo embargo.

'The delays itself would not be a problem if the suppliers could keep them on hold for me,' said the Wan Chai shopowner Kwok Tak-wai.

'However, the suppliers are opting for alternative buyers so they don't have to face the cost of keeping them.' Having started his business during a recession poses more than a few risks for Mr Kwok.

'I started organising this in April,' he said. 'I knew business wouldn't be good because not everyone is willing to spend the extra money. I still went ahead with the idea.

'I got the place renovated, got my licence - which took a long time - and I finally opened the store by late June.

'Business now is worse than I expected and I didn't expect it to be good.' But because he is a reptile lover, Mr Kwok will soldier on.

'This is my hobby and I have been hooked on it for 10 years and I don't think I can give it up now,' he said.

But could the merchandise escape? 'No. You can see that all the ventilation openings are covered by wire mesh. The Agriculture and Fisheries Department wouldn't have given me my licence if my business endangered others.

'Even though I keep poisonous reptiles such as the ball python and rose-hair tarantula, these reptiles are not killers. The bites are the same as a mosquito's or an insect's.

'Those who keep scorpions have to be more careful. I don't sell the highly poisonous sort but a sting would hurt a lot. Even experienced collectors don't touch them.' Of all the reptiles in the shop, the biggest was a 3.5-year-old African savanna monitor lizard. The creature is 60cm to 80cm long and still growing.

'It has been here for three years. At night I take it home and I cuddle it while watching television. It's just like a small dog. In fact, I use to keep a dog and it got along with him pretty well.'