ive heard Axolotls are illegal in CA anybody know why?

[dirtyblacksocks]

Working in a pet store you actually get ALL KINDS of hook ups for illegal animals - the only thing we do remotely against the rules in my shop would be selling turtles under 4" - which is a somewhat pointless law passed in the 70's to begin with.

 

[dirtyblacksocks]

I know this is a dead discussion, but on a side note here- all albino axolotls are actually hybrids with Eastern tiger salamanders. A scientist bred an albino Eastern tiger with an axolotl years ago to introduce the gene- I believe it was in the 50s.


And Noto had it right on- axolotls are illegal because Tiger salamander intergrades (meaning any of the Ambystoma species) are hardier & breed stronger than any of the true bloodlines of species. It's become a big problem with a lot of groups in the wild, not just with the Californian tigers. It's also one of the reasons I'd never want to live in California! I love my axies, and I can't see myself giving them up.

Just because it's illegal doesn't keep most people from getting them - it just boosts the price up quite a bit - fish and game don't do a whole lot, nor do CITES, when it comes to private hobbyists owning illegal pets. Basically a "don't do it again" and take the animal away. Selling is a different story.

 

[bfhslilred93]

they were used for a long time in labs being studied for their ability to regenerate limbs so some might have gotten out plus nothings legal in cali anymore