Is there anyone who can argue this is sustainable?

Um, if they're being ranched it's sustainable.



When they say ranched, I believe that means they go out and collect wild gravid females from their burrows, keep them until they lay eggs, hatch the eggs by the thousands and then either

- release the females or

- skin the females.



Either way, they are removing the next generations of BPs from the wild.



I would have to read the RH article to see the data.



Also, I suspect your assumption that most of those are going to the pet trade is incorrect. Think food, wallets, shoes and Chinese medicine. And no, I don't have any numbers, but I think that's a safe bet.



I agree. Clearly they are used for more than just pets, but to me it doesn't matter. Taking them from the wild is taking them from the wild, whether you put them in a rubbermaid or a medicine bottle. The effect to the wild population is the same.
-----
Chris Harrison

San Antonio, Texas

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