by Will » Sat Dec 08, 2012 9:34 pm
I see, there are many restrictions on both native and exotic herps here too, but they are very much a state by state issue, unless they are part of the US Endangered Species act, and still then you can deal with them, it's just a more onerous task to be compliant with the laws.
Many laws are based on health/safety issues here, or large commerce issues. We have a 4 inch law, chelonians under four inches have restricted sales, based on salmonella disease transmission. Large snakes and monitors have been hit with regional laws restricting their sale, distribution, or for keeping. An actual few people have been killed by large constrictors here, not eaten, but killed. Venomous is not illegal in many places, are illegal in others, but if you get bit, your health insurance will probably not cover your required hospital visit. So many 'controlling' effect are achieved by more than pure legislation.
And field herping can be a great deal of good fun. So maybe that is enough. I have done some bit of field herping in the Western Cape. The topography is excellent, and I got to see many tortos, snakes, lizards etc. You'all got to learn which side of the road to drive on (ha ha hahahahahahahha), but otherwise it was a high point of my life to drive around and see so many tortoises in the Karoo, etc.
Will