I will no longer be selling, trading or keeping ANY invertebrates.
I will not go into any specifics, other than to say that it has come to my attention, in a rather disturbing way, that the USDA is cracking down on keepers of mantids, assassins, etc (which it presumably views as a potential threat to agriculture). As an entomologist I don't agree with this assessment of risk, but since I am pursuing a professional career in the field and this is how the law is being applied, this is no longer a hobby which I feel I can truly enjoy.
I would get back into it in a heartbeat if the laws were relaxed with regard to the responsible keeping of predatory insects, but for now it looks like my reptiles will be feasting on mantids for the next few days
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As I said I will not go into specifics, and I will not respond to emails or PMs unless I know you. I will probably still visit the forums from time to time and will still be keeping and breeding tarantulas, reptiles and fish.
Its been fun.
Obie
I will not go into any specifics, other than to say that it has come to my attention, in a rather disturbing way, that the USDA is cracking down on keepers of mantids, assassins, etc (which it presumably views as a potential threat to agriculture). As an entomologist I don't agree with this assessment of risk, but since I am pursuing a professional career in the field and this is how the law is being applied, this is no longer a hobby which I feel I can truly enjoy.
I would get back into it in a heartbeat if the laws were relaxed with regard to the responsible keeping of predatory insects, but for now it looks like my reptiles will be feasting on mantids for the next few days
.As I said I will not go into specifics, and I will not respond to emails or PMs unless I know you. I will probably still visit the forums from time to time and will still be keeping and breeding tarantulas, reptiles and fish.
Its been fun.
Obie
