Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello, I'm pretty new with some of the CITES laws and I have a few questions that I would love to be answered. I'm traveling to the Amazon(Brazil) at the first of this summer. I am going with an Educational Expedition group. I want to know how easy it would be to get a permit to import a snake(non-poisinus and non-endangered) and/or a tarantula(theraphosa blondi). I know a little about the CITES permits to do this but I was wondering on the government of South America, specifically Brazil. I also don't know about the costs of doing this. My use for these wonderful animals would be sortof educational(enlisting them at a science camp that I work at) and personal(pets). My main question would be if it's worth the trouble and how much of a pain this will be in doing this. I am very aware that captive animals are much easier to maintain and are generally healthier. I know it would be easier to just get the animals here in the US but this seems costly. The animals that I wish to attain will be wild and unique but if it will cost more in trying to import them into the US I will refer to US dealers.

Thanks

I've exchanged emails with native Brazlians who keep some of their native species (mostly lancehead pitvipers) but they have told me that its illegal in Brazil to keep native reptiles, even if you live in Brazil. With the rare exception of a few captive born species, it's virtually impossible to obtain export permits.

Thats not to say that some people don't smuggle stuff out, but I would not even consider this.

Matt Harris