John, I read somewhere that the reason there are so few albino alligator snapper hatchlings available in the U.S. is because the Japanese outbid all other buyers by a longshot. Interesting note that Don mentioned about the "Japanese perfect" category. The pet store herps I saw looked like death warmed over, so I guess that was due to the pet shop.
After I posted my first Japan report a couple of years ago, Dick Bartlett emailed me saying that he used to see a lot of Japanese stuff at the import places, but that he hadn't seen the species I posted in years. I get the feeling that he was talking about the '60 and '70s. It is strange that there are so few conspics available, given the apparent demand. Perhaps they were more common at one time, but fell down a similar path as the Bismarck Ringed Python........beautiful hatchlings, but rather drab adults????? I've heard that a few people keep Mamushi and Okinawa Habu, so obviously there are a few that enter the states......

Shane
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