I hope you don't take offense, it's just that sometimes I have a hard time understanding what you mean.

Chris had said, "I'm unaware of any snakes being extirpiated by the pet trade."

To which you replied, "I don't think it's common in the U.S., but it does happen in some other areas, and perhaps here as well, in certain localities."

So when you said "it", meaning extirpations by the pet trade, "does happen in some areas" I took that to mean you were aware of actual species or entire populations of species that had been extirpated by the pet trade. So I take it you don't know of any extirpations that were caused by the pet trade? If there were other significant factors we can't really say it was caused by the pet trade can we? I don't actually even know of any cases where the pet trade came along and took the last of anything, but I think my point is clear.

I just thought that was something that needed to be questioned because such claims, if valid, could have serious implications for the ability of hobbyists to continue to maintain herps in captivity.

As far as the new examples you've just provided, they are very interesting and should be looked into in further detail. I must add though that I didn't ask about numbers being reduced. I already believe that numbers can be reduced by collection and that is not nearly as significant to me as actual extirpations, IMHO. Populations can get reduced both naturally and unaturally for a variety of reasons and still be viable and have the ability to bounce back.

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