[jkooiman]

I found this ad interesting:

kingsnake.com Classifieds: Wanted: Nectophrynoides viviparous

Is there a chance that these could ever come in...or ever have? Any of the Zookeepers on here work with them? Thanks! JVK

 

[SethDoty]

I found this ad interesting:

kingsnake.com Classifieds: Wanted: Nectophrynoides viviparous

Is there a chance that these could ever come in...or ever have? Any of the Zookeepers on here work with them? Thanks! JVK

I saw one briefly offered for sale at 200$ last year on kingsnake.com by a florida dealer(they had pic's and it was the real deal), but, and this is a big BUT the whole genus is listed on CITES I and importing them or possessing them is illegal and could potentially get you in big trouble. That said at least a few have obviously come into the states with shipments of other things, how many have come in in this manner and if such importations are intentional or accidental I couldn't say. The kingsnake add your asking about could either be someone ignorant of the fact they are illegal or it could be an attempt by USWF to nail some unscrupulous dealers that can get them if they want to. Your guess is as good as mine which it is.

 

[jkooiman]

I saw one briefly offered for sale at 200$ last year on kingsnake.com by a florida dealer(they had pic's and it was the real deal), but, and this is a big BUT the whole genus is listed on CITES I and importing them or possessing them is illegal and could potentially get you in big trouble. That said at least a few have obviously come into the states with shipments of other things, how many have come in in this manner and if such importations are intentional or accidental I couldn't say. The kingsnake add your asking about could either be someone ignorant of the fact they are illegal or it could be an attempt by USWF to nail some unscrupulous dealers that can get them if they want to. Your guess is as good as mine which it is.

Interesting to say the least Seth, I had no idea they were CITES listed. I'm sure the owner of that ad is ignorant of this fact as well?

I was under the impression that this member of the genus was relatively abundant in areas, and under no threat, in decline, etc.

Very informative post,Seth,a bit of a bummer though. Thanks, JVK

 

[SethDoty]

I was under the impression that this member of the genus was relatively abundant in areas, and under no threat, in decline, etc.

I am sure you have heard of the Kihansi spray toad, Nectophrynoides asperginis, as it is somewhat of a "poster frog" for being endangered. The knee jerk reaction was to list the whole genus as CITES I five or six years ago. Personally, I wouldn't be at all surprised if Nectophrynoides viviparus was in no real danger as in truth there is insufficient data to know for sure. Environmental politics at work.

Interesting to say the least Seth, I had no idea they were CITES listed. I'm sure the owner of that ad is ignorant of this fact as well?

I don't know if he knows or not, but looking at his other want adds it appears he is asking for quite a bit of moderately to very hard to get stuff. Given what all he is asking for it seems like he is either a advanced hobbyist(and those should know what they are asking for before they ask), a small time "dealer" in hard to get animals(read a shady character who isn't that smart to be asking around online for that kind of thing), or with the feds. Doesn't really seem like a case of someone who just saw a picture or something and is trying to find out if he can get them. Who knows though. I just know you run across things like that in the hobby from time to time and the smart thing is not to touch it with a 10 foot pole.

 

[Ed]

I don't know if he knows or not, but looking at his other want adds it appears he is asking for quite a bit of moderately to very hard to get stuff. Given what all he is asking for it seems like he is either a advanced hobbyist(and those should know what they are asking for before they ask), a small time "dealer" in hard to get animals(read a shady character who isn't that smart to be asking around online for that kind of thing), or with the feds. Doesn't really seem like a case of someone who just saw a picture or something and is trying to find out if he can get them. Who knows though. I just know you run across things like that in the hobby from time to time and the smart thing is not to touch it with a 10 foot pole.

This is how I would interpret it as well.

Ed

 

[jkooiman]

I am sure you have heard of the Kihansi spray toad, Nectophrynoides asperginis, as it is somewhat of a "poster frog" for being endangered. The knee jerk reaction was to list the whole genus as CITES I five or six years ago. Personally, I wouldn't be at all surprised if Nectophrynoides viviparus was in no real danger as in truth there is insufficient data to know for sure. Environmental politics at work.

I thought this might be the case as soon as I read your post...

I don't know if he knows or not, but looking at his other want adds it appears he is asking for quite a bit of moderately to very hard to get stuff. Given what all he is asking for it seems like he is either a advanced hobbyist(and those should know what they are asking for before they ask), a small time "dealer" in hard to get animals(read a shady character who isn't that smart to be asking around online for that kind of thing), or with the feds. Doesn't really seem like a case of someone who just saw a picture or something and is trying to find out if he can get them. Who knows though. I just know you run across things like that in the hobby from time to time and the smart thing is not to touch it with a 10 foot pole.

My "knee jerk" reaction initially was indeed that he might be some kid looking at pretty frog pictures and put up an ad, however, the more I've thought on it, it does cost some bit of money to post the ad in the first place...and he was asking for specific African species, I'll have to check if Leptopelis barbouri is protected in anyway. Whatever the case, intrigue aside, I'm pretty disappointed that they are illegal. Perhaps some Zoos in the US have them on display? JVK

 

[Ed]

I don't think any of the institutions in the US have Nectophrynoides viviparus. The two main institutions with Nectophrynoides asperginis are Toledo and the Bronx. I don't know off hand if either one has them on display.

Ed

 

[jkooiman]

I don't think any of the institutions in the US have Nectophrynoides viviparus. The two main institutions with Nectophrynoides asperginis are Toledo and the Bronx. I don't know off hand if either one has them on display.

Ed

Geez, what an absolute friggin bummer! Thanks for the responses though. JVK

 

[mantisdragon91]

I don't think any of the institutions in the US have Nectophrynoides viviparus. The two main institutions with Nectophrynoides asperginis are Toledo and the Bronx. I don't know off hand if either one has them on display.

Ed

Last time I was at the Bronx Zoo last summer there was a nice public display of this species.

 

[Ed]

Thanks Roman, I couldn't remember if they did or not.

Ed

 

[Blue_Pumilio]

Old thread, but who had these listed? Just curious....an awesome genus.

I saw one briefly offered for sale at 200$ last year on kingsnake.com by a florida dealer(they had pic's and it was the real deal), but, and this is a big BUT the whole genus is listed on CITES I and importing them or possessing them is illegal and could potentially get you in big trouble. That said at least a few have obviously come into the states with shipments of other things, how many have come in in this manner and if such importations are intentional or accidental I couldn't say. The kingsnake add your asking about could either be someone ignorant of the fact they are illegal or it could be an attempt by USWF to nail some unscrupulous dealers that can get them if they want to. Your guess is as good as mine which it is.