Not stepping on my toes, as the specimen within the photo is a resident within the university collection, with documentation regarding its import into the U.S., but I’m happy to give you a laugh.

Before going public with incorrect information, you may wish to do some research on the subject you undertake, instead of relying upon your own impressions, as such can be very misleading and imposes unnecessary fears upon individuals harboring such specimens.

Ahh, the urban legend surrounding the individual being incarcerated for importing C. insculpta. I find it odd that the two USF&W agents I work with on a regular basis are unfamiliar with anyone “doing time” in conjunction with the illegal import and / or distribution of C. insculpta, nor was a report posted regarding such, much like the report posted by the USF&W, that everyone and their brother saw, when Don hamper was convicted of illegal herpetofauna dealings, but my USF&W friends are looking into this for me and I should have accurate information by the end of next week, which I shall post, as I could be wrong, it would not be a first, and I will post such findings.

All in all, I believe we are in agreement, as I too feel this is a species of concern, more from its availability within the Asian food markets then U.S. pet trade and I will further agree with you, in that there are a great number of specimens entering the U.S. illegally, but then again, I believe C. insculpta make up less then 1% of the total illegal herpetofauna trade, since such is the second largest “black market” within the U.S., being second only to the smuggling of narcotics…



Best regards,



Jeff
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Jeff Snodgres

University of Arkansas

snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu

501.603.1947

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