Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I posted this in the old forum, just found this one so I thought I would repost:
I talked to the guy selling the wild caught greens and similis, and I bought 2 female similis from him, and here is the rest of the story. These are not wild from central and south america, these are feral lizards in florida destroying native florida plant fauna. In fact, florida fish and wildlife is shooting, trapping and destroying all iguanas (green and similis) in the area that he is collecting out of because they have become such a danger to the native plant and animal life. He has gotten a license from the florida wildlife department for collection of both greens and similis. He is actually a real nice guy and made several phone calls to me to make sure the lizards arrived safely. The lizards were in great shape and seem less spastic and even calmer than wild ones I recieved from importers. So I think he is doing a great service. Any lizards not sold within a week he releases back to the capture site and hopes that they don't get shot.

That doesnt sound as bad, I thought it was just like our friends from the south though, once the iggs were here, they're home free. I get pump up when I see people selling wild caught animals, I see these guys selling desert iggs and hornytoads (and many other wildcaught herps) in the classifieds and it makes me mad. If someone wants something like that they should go on a trip and catch their own. Too many die and suffer when it is done commercialy. I am speaking domestic stuff. KB

I totally bothers me when I see all those wild harvested Nevada/Arizona chuckwallas, desert iguanas, horned lizards, and leopard lizards being sold. I wish the state fish and wildlife departments would end this.

He cares so much he has a price on them, and if they do not sell right away then I am not putting money or time into them so I will just let them go right?

That can be taken two different ways as a good thing or a bad thing just thought I would relate it the other way.