Is it legal to sell monitor lizards in pet stores?

[Skiploder]

I figured that since we were discussing monitor venom in a thread about the legality of selling monitors......discussing legislation concerning monitors would actually be more 'on topic'

All interesting conversation topics though. I like to talk monitors.

I have mixed feelings, Daniel, on whether or not there should be legislation regarding the sale of some reptiles.

The number or nile, croc, water, etc. monitors being sold to people who have no business buying them is obscene, and efforts to educate people or preach ethics to dealers seems to be falling on deaf ears.

I for one, would not be upset in the least if I would be required to obtain a license to keep my boiga, my heterodon, my rufous or even my varanids - as far as I am concerned that little bit of inconvenience would be worth it if it kept these animals out of the hands of people who are unable to care for them.

I attended the Sacramento reptile show last month as was appalled to see what many people would consider reputable breeders selling retics and burms to anyone who had the cash on hand. It's become obvious to me that as this hobby has become more and more popular, we have been increasingly unable to promote proper ethics to retailers and proper education to consumers. As a result, we are attracting unwanted attention to our hobby.