I, too, have become very aggravated at the strict regulations and restrictions facing the herp community. The biggest problems I see here are:



1) liability...whose liable should someone do something stupid and get bit?...that would be enough for me to not want to get involved in a shipping "team".



2) Breaking the law...how do you get the snake through a state whereby it is illegal for a private individual to "own" a venomous snake (such as Illinois). If the driver gets caught, they are in deep trouble.



3) Stress on the snake...if this snake/herp is being sent across a great distance, that animal could be exposed to a ton of stressors...and who is responsible if the animal doesn't make it or expires shortly after arrival? I would MUCH prefer paying a far higher price for air freight knowing that I will have the animal the same day it is shipped than an animal that may have to endure several days (at least) of sub optimal conditions.



4) COST...in the end, this could cost more than just paying the "high" price of air freight. You will be hard pressed to see people willing to drive long distances without getting reimbursed for mileage, gas, etc....but maybe I'm wrong.



Your idea means well, and can work on a small scale basis (perhaps within the same state, etc.) and I am only thinking out loud and mean no disrespect towards your idea....but when it comes to venomous, I just see far too many problems (and liability for those on the transportation line). Our efforts should be on finding ways to change regulations and working closely with the transportation community.



Rob Carmichael, Director/Curator of the Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm

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