Costa Rica and Ball Pythons!

[Jakob]

i am having a difficult time finding a ball python here in costa rica. i have posted a craigslist listing and spoken with one guy that purchased a ball python from an american who smuggled the snake in, but the price was quite outrageous.

there is a possibility i might be able to pick up a ball python in Panama and have an easier time getting it back into the country, but that would be a last resort.

if i shipped a BP into the country via DHL/postal service i would not be able to list that there was a snake inside the box. it would have to be labeled as something different that didnt raise suspicion.

any information or experience you guys might have would be greatly appreciated.

[Montessa Python]

I would NOT do that. I am sure you can find a safe and legal way to find a snake in Costa Rica.
Have you talked to zoo's or to universities? They may be able to help you. Also check your pet stores, there must be breeders or people that can import one for you.
It is illegal to do that and I would not reccommend smuggling OR having one shipped in via fed ex or the post office.
JMHO
Carol

[Spaniard]

Are bps not allowed in Costa Rica?

There are many breeders here in the states that ship internationally. Although you must get your CITES papers and that could be expensive in its own right. I'm pretty sure all shipped boxes must have "live reptile" and the species name printed on the outside of the box somewhere.

[camb]

is it legal to own a bp in costa rica and lucky! you live in costa rica!

[Jakob]

one thing that is peculiar about costa rica is that you get different answers from many people. the people that i have spoken to so far say that there are no ball pythons in costa rica legally. i am hoping that they are wrong and i just havent found the right person yet.

getting the proper paperwork in order is crazy expensive. on top of that, you have to have a biologist on a proven payroll that shows up to your home once a month to make sure you are doing everything properly and account for what you have.

Montessa Python, pet stores do not sell reptiles legally here. i am friends with one breeder and he breeds only exotic Boas.

i will find out more information later this afternoon about Ball Pythons in Costa Rica and post what i hear. the aforementioned breeder used to breed ball pythons in the states before moving to costa rica. for some reason i never asked why he is not breeding them here. his entire setup is 100% legal and its a real hassle for him from what he says.

yes Camb, i am lucky.

[Jakob]

ok, i just got off the phone with the boa breeder and he told me that there are not any ball python breeders he is aware of.

it IS legal to own a ball python here but the permission process takes between a year and a year and a half in paperwork. in that process you have to have the proper facility approved by a biologist that you have on a monthly payroll that makes visits. im not talking about for breeders, im talking about 1 ball python or 100. he expressed it being a major pain in the neck. when i asked why there wasnt a ball python breeder in costa rica, his response was, "i dont think that there are that many collectors of ball pythons..." yeah right!?? i guess you have to agree that there arent many collectors when the snake itself doesnt exist in this country.

im sure some of you breeders have been longing to leave the states and come live in costa rica along with your ball python business in an un-tapped market...dont all come at once though.

[rabernet]

Just a caution - discussing smuggling or sneaking animals into your country without following the proper procedures is illegal and will not be allowed to be encouraged or discussed.

I'm sorry it's so difficult to have one in Costa Rica, but I'd encourage you to acquire one legally and not try to smuggle or sneak one into the country.

[Jakob]

Just a caution - discussing smuggling or sneaking animals into your country without following the proper procedures is illegal and will not be allowed to be encouraged or discussed.

I'm sorry it's so difficult to have one in Costa Rica, but I'd encourage you to acquire one legally and not try to smuggle or sneak one into the country.

ahh i see you are administration and im sorry to put you in the position to have to tell me that. please pardon my, for lack of a better word, honesty. you certainly told me to "stop" in a very sweet way Robin...haha, thank you for your careful words.