From the US?

[foghog]

Anyone else here from the USA? It seems that most are elsewhere but I figure there has to be a few of us around. I have had the pleasure of finding one other from the States here, but are there any others?
I btw, am in Michigan.

[coyote]

I'm in sunny California.

[foghog]

ah so three of us so far....yay. it's so hard to find anyone in the states who are into snails really.

[coyote]

Without access to any GALS species, a lot of people probably see little appeal with only the small species to consider. I kinda like my little guys, though.

[foghog]

ya I know....it is sorta silly imo, (Although of course I understand the position.) especially amongst enthusiasts who know the species, and the proper way of handling them, I do not know any who would release them out in the wild irresponsibly. I'm not interested in having a GAL yet, myself....but I'd like to have a H. pomatia...and the really silly part of it is, I'm in Michigan and they were actually introduced here in the 30's on purpose.....so all I gotta do presumably is just find one somewhere they are...there are reports in various parts of the state of them being, but have'nt had a chance to track any down. but the point is, I wouldn't allow them out of my house, so they won't be a threat to anything. I used to think this country was free to those who were responsible for their own actions. In any case, there won;t be any pictures of GALS or others that are outlawed from me on this forum, I guarantee that.

[ness]

It certainly is a shame that responsible people from the US can't keep GAlS and other none-US species, but all it takes is one deliberately irresponsible release in a warm area of the US or an accidental release (like a couple of tiny babies thrown out in a soil-change or attached to food cleaned out of the tank and dumped on a compost heap). If they can survive the climate they can cause awful damage to the eco system and cost many thousands of dollars to irradicate. So I appreciate the 'better to be safe than sorry' attitude of the government.
There are many parts of the US where GALS wouldn't survive the winter but if any of them get posted or moved to people in warmer areas then there is the danger.

But I agree, it's a shame.
I will say though, I have kept various Achatina and Archachatina over many years but I still think the various types of garden snails are just as lovely .
Pomatia are on my wish list too. Good luck in finding some

[foghog]

ya there is still plenty of variety to own. I myself am not so interested in GALS anyways as I stated. but they are big, and cool looking.

[coyote]

Aug 12, 2011 9:47:52 GMT ness said:

. . . all it takes is one deliberately irresponsible release in a warm area of the US . . .

This happened many years ago in Florida with a fulica brought back from a Hawaiian vacation by a young boy, and it cost over $1 million in agricultural losses and pest containment and eradication costs. Since then all GALS have been illegal in the whole country.

[foghog]

how many people actually 'know' GALS are illegal? none hardly thats how many....I guarantee many have been brought into the US still. they may of said the outbreak happened because of that kid, but it's highly doubtful, and more than likely a excuse. it's how I see it anyways. and same with the numbers and costs probably. I mean call me skeptical, but thats what I am. the law is the law though...so to be a good citizen I suppose it's best to follow it, regardless. just in case.

[coyote]

I'm just nervous about the potential for harm to come to snails that have to be smuggled in past customs that might wind up not being properly packaged and protected during the process. Plus the risk run by anyone getting caught, the fines they'd have to pay, plus the knowledge that any confiscated snails will be destroyed. It's a huge risk to run.

[foghog]

ya well, I am sure whoever would do such a thing would love to just be able to do it straight up and safe for the creature involved. I personally have to wonder if honestly any inspector or what have you really would know the differences in snails anyways. I cannot say I even would under some circumstances. Snails after-all are the second largest species on the planet next to insects, many believe. but yes it would be a shame, that out of captivity 4-5 of them may be destroyed or harmed when you typically have anywhere from 12-100+ eggs being laid up to 5 times/year......They should be protected as much as possible, without needless risk, like they would have in a natural setting.

[coyote]

I guarantee you that with the way the US government functions, any inspectors would be lucky to know a GALS from an aspersa. If it didn't have the proper permit and documentation enclosed with it, it would be confiscated, and that would be the end of that.

It would be nice if there was sufficient education for people interested in snails as pets so that they would know how to keep them responsibly. There is already too much of an attitude in our culture that pets are disposable, and you just chuck it out when you get bored or it gets too hard to take care of. Then maybe there wouldn't have to be laws banning certain species in the first place.

[SnailsPace]

So when they were banned did people have to kill their GALS? (Sorry for interupting )

[foghog]

I can agree with that Coyote. as usual it is always the irresponsible effecting the responsible negatively. If people were responcible, anyone would pretty much be able to do anything.

No Snailspace...they just put out general notices that people if they turn them in would face no fines, and they should report them if they found them in the wild...notices which no one knows about nor reads ever, or cares about.....but farmers who are the main concern of course will report them and they have been being eradicated on sight since. If they catch you or find out you have them you can be fined though. periodically actually you find them for sale from dealers though still. at least until someone tells the right people who rush over and shut them down.

I imagine when they confiscate them though they slaughter them.