Folks -- I thought it was interesting that the California Herps website mentioned "protected" and "non-protected" herps, which meaning is still somewhat unclear to me and worthy of additional investigation. But a look at the California Fish and Game Code makes it abundantly clear that possession of all herps within California, along with other wildlife forms, is regulated by the Fish and Code; therefore my statement that the government of California does not care about possession of herps was wrong and illustrated ignorance of the issue on my part.
There are special protections of all animals listed in California as endangered species, threatened species, species of special concern, fully protected species, etc., which may be what the Cal Herps website were thinking of when they referred to "protected" species, such as the San Francisco garter snake, the desert tortoise, etc., which are listed on the state list of endangered species and thus obviously protected. And I might say that I am fully supportive of efforts to protect such species, including the desert tortoise, and I am highly impressed and appreciative of the work of the Center for Biological Diversity and others (including Federal and state politicians) in working to protect and recover desert tortoises and other imperiled taxa within the state. Below is the actual wording from the California Fish and Game Code (in part) which states the general policy of the Code towards possession of wildlife, including common and rare/endangered reptiles and amphibians (and the code continues after that paragraph to specifically describe the "rules" of possession of all these wildlife forms), and I also note that I do not necessarily see the word "native" in the wording, which could be significant. CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME CODE 2000. It is unlawful to take any bird, mammal, fish, reptile, or amphibian except as provided in this code or regulations made pursuant thereto. Possession of a bird, mammal, fish, or reptile or parts thereof in or on the fields, forests, or waters of this state, or while returning therefrom with fishing or hunting equipment is prima facie evidence the possessor took the bird, mammal, fish or reptile or parts thereof... submitted by Stan Moore San Geronimo, CA [EMAIL PROTECTED]
