"Highly Desirable" to import?

[Noto]

I disagree that permits are the first step towards banning and other onerous regulations. They may instead be the alternative to these things. They allow the hobbyists and industry to demonstrate that the hobby can be carried on responsibly and accountably, and that there is an existing control mechanism. Without that in place, it is much easier for PETA or other anti-exotic-pet groups to say that the exotic pet industry is an uncontrolled threat to the public interest and should be shut down entirely.

Anyways, back on topic: I'd like to see some of the smaller African softshells available.

 

[David Tobler]

u do realise i have a smooth front caiman?? if i can handle claudia i can handle a chinese gator

Wait till she's a little bigger...

This pic was taken after my first water catch-up.. basically without the use of a blindfold. Just quick deliberate movements..and hang on!! Haha.. Fun little guys.

This same caiman actually got out of the hands of a very experienced keeper, and it almost grabbed his leg...bit through his pants and destroyed his cell phone.

 

[Lepisosteus platyrhincus]

^is that a smooth front?????

more pics? more info plz? age sex etc!!!!

I need to see more pics!!! MORE!!!

God i cant wait untill Claudia gets to that size.

 

[David Tobler]

^is that a smooth front?????

more pics? more info plz? age sex etc!!!!

I need to see more pics!!! MORE!!!

God i cant wait untill Claudia gets to that size.

Paleosuchus palpebrosus ... He's in his twenties if I remember correctly, though he lives in Canada now. I don't have any other pictures of him..sorry.

 

[Lepisosteus platyrhincus]

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But thanks for that much info at least. Its beautiful!! I cant wait till my girl gets that big.

 

[kittyhazelton]

I wasn't saying that everything SHOULD cost 10X what it is now, that's just an exaggeration your part, merely an example that difficult/dangerous/hard to keep animals should be so cheaply priced and easily available. I used the $500 mark as an exaggeration as well to make a point of that. and YES I was using the Serval as a cost comparison... perhaps you think they should cost as little as the average purebred cat based on your idea, then every kid could have one and soon instead of feral cats running around when people get bored we could have feral jungle cats instead.
Sadly, the price of the animal DOES have a fair bit to do with how well it's going to be kept, yes there are many people who buy expensive pets on a whim, but there are much fewer people willing to dump those animals when they have to dish out $2000+, Dumped pets posing threats to wildlife and the public that's almost the ENTIRE reason many of these species are illegal certain places to begin with.
The costs with or without permits ALWAYS come down on us. Say there is no permit system, so anyone can get one of these beasts.. then the numbers of them getting released/dumped increases, thus increasing the requirement for the fish and game dept officers to step in and take care of them... then you have to pay those officers, thus increases in taxes and fees...
Or what about homeowners insurance? Do you want to have the same case with exotic reptiles happen as there has been with "bully" dog breeds? They're not illegal in most places but good luck finding home owners insurance that covers you for a reasonable price if you have one.

Like it or not, permit or not, you will always be paying the cost of having these animals on the market SOMEWHERE.
My NH permit to keep most restricted reptile species (excluding venomous)= $65 with 1 yearly inspection. A fair price in my opinion, and one I gladly pay. VT is $100/yr with health certificates... also not an unreasonable cost. I'd rather pay this single yearly permit fee than have my property taxes, homeowners insurance, or hunting/fishing license fees increased.

Few things....

1) what does my desire to own an african serval have to do with anything??? This statement is random and really has no place within this conversation.

2) YES it would hurt those who want to keep them responcibly. Lets take your example. It would be bad for an average, dime a dozen, run of the mill COMMON NON EXOTIC gator to cost 500. That is roughly 10x the current price for a hatchling. What do you think an exotic croc is gonna run??

Lets see!! So at 10x the price for a hatchling, that would make my smooth front(current average hatchling price is $200) cost $2000. This would price me out of the market. Im less than that much into my ENTIRE enclosure INCLUDING Claudia. Now look at my enclosure and tell me I'm an irresponcible owner. Tell me. You cant.

You say it wouldn't hurt those that want to keep them responsibly. You just completely eliminated me. Wont hurt them? IM DONE. I cant afford it.

Using the same price model that would make an average young west african dwarf croc(current average price $1,500) cost $15,000. Wow.... Just wow.

I am your average consumer. I make an average amoung of money, have a nice house, a dog, a kid. I am your average middle class consumer. You just priced me completely out of the market.

Your average ball python at a petstore cost roughly $70. Under your example they would run $700. Lets see, I can make my mortgage or I can buy a ball python.

You just priced me out of the market entirely. Your opinon on this matter is clear. You think if you dont make a ton of money you cant properly take care of an animal. We have had this discussion before and, sorry to break it to you, your wrong. Money has nothing to do with husbandry.

Just because you run a rescue, doesnt make your opinion the only one or right.

 

[Mishy]

I'd have to say most of the reptiles in Australia...mostly the Central Bearded Dragon. I'd like to have an all black beardie

I use to own one

 

[Mishy]

u do realise i have a smooth front caiman?? if i can handle claudia i can handle a chinese gator

Yeh, he has a pet that wants to rip him apart & she's only small, wait till she gets full size LP your so ****ed

 

[coura]

Yeh, he has a pet that wants to rip him apart & she's only small, wait till she gets full size LP your so ****ed

Crocs are really best left alone both for their and the keeper safety. They can however be trained to several commands which can make your life easier. But people are getting nowhere in terms of the croc lissening to them if they dont leave them alone. The animal must first be allowed to trust the human and only associate good things with it.

 

[Lepisosteus platyrhincus]

She hates me.................
but she is eatting regularly and is just all around awesome!!!