Hi Dusty,

Actually, there are LOTS of legal Baja herps in the U.S. I have several copies of permits for such animals all the way from the 70's up to recent. Mexico has no problem issuing permits to just about anyone if you have the money. The problem isn't Mexico. It's the USFWS that does not allow import permits unless scientific. Every year there are legal baja herps coming in from Mexico. You just have to go to Europe to get them. Most of them being crotes. Very few rosy boas, kingsnakes, and ratsnakes are taken. Though a small handfull do. Every year.

Smuggling out of Mexico is practically non existant anymore. There's really no money for the commom stuff to be worth it and the harder to find animals are, well not found by most herpers pursueing them. Only rarely does anyone illegally bring anything back anymore and it's not for commercial puposes. And I repeat it's rarely done.

Some of the big academic guys should really shut up about this. As I personally know that some of them that cry wolf are the worst offenders period! I really hate hearing about this first hand from them and of coarse reading it in aritcles. Hope this clears some things up.

PL

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