Back in the 70's and 80's many herps now commomplace in the Pet Trade were ALL smuggled into the U.S. Some examples are Bearded Dragons, all Varanids from Australia, Womas, Diamond Pythons, Carpet Pythons [except for Irian Jayas], Spotted Pythons, many types of Bluetongue Skinks, Olive Pythons, every Australian Gecko species, and a host of other commonly seem inexpensive herps were ALL derived from illegal origins. I have many times heard some prominent herpers condemning the smugglers that did these heinous crimes. Realize that the majority did because they wanted to work with the species involved and not for the money. Also many of these people that now profess their disgust at smugglers were doing it themselves in that time period. I'm not suggesting that smuggling wildlife is a positive thing to do just stating facts. One thing is for sure now, NO ONE WOULD CONSIDER SMUGGLING A BEARDED DRAGON BECAUSE THEY ARE MUCH LESS EXPENSIVE HERE THAN IN AUSTRALIA.
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Tom Crutchfield

www.tomcrutchfield.com

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