Yes, the most pressing herp being the very protected desert tortoise. Many construction monitoring projects I have been on as project biologist require measures to be in place for the protection of fence lizards, iguanas, and in particular some rare snakes such as the San Francisco garter snake, whose protection was the cyclonic center of activity last year on a controversial gig in the bay area.
I work with the DT (desert tortoises) quite a bit and have a strong allegiance for their protection. To me they are more of a philosophical animal. One that is symbolic. Lots of herps are that way (not to say birds aren't incredibly symbolic) but reptiles to me have such an ancient presence that their protection seems like protecting the living history of the earth. Birds especially raptors, have had more close contact with humans. Reptiles need to be protected not because of our relationship to them, but on the basis of awe and magnificence of their existence. We tend to like the animals that readily acknowledge us, tortoises hardly ever notice me, but I continue to act as their steward because caring for them brings so much joy and depth to my life. My 2 cents. -Brit . On 9/28/06, stan moore <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Folks -- > > I probably should have done a little research on the specifics of > protections of herps, such as fence lizards, etc., before making my > previous > posting with comments on possession of California herps. I just did a > Google search out of curiosity and came a cross a California herps website > which includes disclaimers against offering legal advice, but also lists > and > quotes some California regulations on the possession of reptiles and > amphibians. The website is at: > > http://www.californiaherps.com/info/herpinglaws.html > > > The gyst of the regs as I saw them on this website is that a California > sport fishing license is required to possess common reptiles and > amphibians, > even when there are no limits to possession. I think this is generally a > good policy, although I don't know if the public is generally aware of it. > Obviously, listed (imperiled) species are treated differently, with no > permits issued for sport take. > > Thanks to all for the interesting, informative and sometimes entertaining > private replies I have received from this thread of discussion. And > please, > California residents -- don't go grabbing wild herps in California under > the > (mis)understanding based on my erroneous comments that no permits are > required to do so! > > > > Stan Moore San Geronimo, CA [EMAIL PROTECTED] > -- In every work of genius we recognize our own rejected thoughts; they come back to us with a certain alienated majesty. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
