Most herps are not game species, and are not renewable. If so, we wouldn't have endangered and threatened herps-- they'd be prolificly replacing their losses without anyone's help. Most herps also do not get proactively managed for like deer, elk, waterfowl, or turkey UNLESS they are a listed species. I am not an animal rights activist nor an environmentalist. Nobody likes extremists, and I certainly agree with you there. It's great that we do live in a free society. However, we also need to be responsible. As far as freedom having costs to the surrounding environment, we should be conscientious to that in light of how much we're losing all the time. Animals popular with humans may not become extinct as long as humans breed them in captivity. But their existence in the wild is a different story. If you're happy with pen-raised domestic stock like cows, dogs & cats, and zoo-maintained elephants, lions & tigers, then good for you. But I think the more diverse things are, the better. I like seeing things in the wild as they naturally occur. I agree that things do go extinct. But losing diversity if we've caused it, even if just a blind snake, IS a big deal. Would you feel any differently if the extinct snake was a larger, more conspicuous species like an EDB rattlesnake, an indigo, pine snake, or timber rattlesnake?



Greg

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