I could check all the boxes....everything is conditional however....much more specific than just a general answer...

I think its fine.....If the animal is being produced in captivity, there is really no need to take it from the wild; however, some animals are not readily available in captivity so if you are interested in keeping a native species and have no access to it other than to go into the wild and catch it....why not? However, before attempting to care for a wild animal, you should have the experience and knowledge to provide for the animal.

Only if the required legal basis are covered (license to collect native animals etc)....legal issues should ALWAY be covered for ANY animal a person buys. Anyone that owns or sells an animal in violation of the law is WRONG and should be locked away.

I don't think native herps should be taken for captivity....by ignorant keepers. It takes some skill to care for a wild caught reptile; however, the majority of 'keepers' that take animals from the wild have no skill what so ever. The animals we keep currently were at one time taken from the wild, but it was only those skilled in the care of reptiles that were able to establish them.

I may or may not keep a native herp captive if found.....It depends on the animal. I have the necessary licenses for my state to take non-protected reptiles from the wild. I also feel that I have the knowledge to care for the animals if I wish to do so. If I wanted to keep a local species and could find no one that breeds the animal, I would take a locality specific pair from the wild and breed them. As a reptile keeper, I would feel that it is my responsibility to make this animal available as captive born and bred so the next person that comes along will have a choice before taking another animal out of the wild.