• Posted 12/19/2024.
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    I am still waiting on my developer to finish up on the Classifieds Control Panel so I can use it to encourage members into becoming paying members. Google Adsense has become a real burden on the viewing of this site, but honestly it is the ONLY source of income now that keeps it afloat. I tried offering disabling the ads being viewed by paying members, but apparently that is not enough incentive. Quite frankly, Google Adsense has dropped down to where it barely brings in enough daily to match even a single paid member per day. But it still gets the bills paid. But at what cost?

    So even without the classifieds control panel being complete, I believe I am going to have to disable those Google ads completely and likely disable some options here that have been free since going to the new platform. Like classified ad bumping, member name changes, and anything else I can use to encourage this site to be supported by the members instead of the Google Adsense ads.

    But there is risk involved. I will not pay out of pocket for very long during this last ditch experimental effort. If I find that the membership does not want to support this site with memberships, then I cannot support your being able to post your classified ads here for free. No, I am not intending to start charging for your posting ads here. I will just shut the site down and that will be it. I will be done with FaunaClassifieds. I certainly don't need this, and can live the rest of my life just fine without it. If I see that no one else really wants it to survive neither, then so be it. It goes away and you all can just go elsewhere to advertise your animals and merchandise.

    Not sure when this will take place, and I don't intend to give any further warning concerning the disabling of the Google Adsense. Just as there probably won't be any warning if I decide to close down this site. You will just come here and there will be some sort of message that the site is gone, and you have a nice day.

    I have been trying to make a go of this site for a very long time. And quite frankly, I am just tired of trying. I had hoped that enough people would be willing to help me help you all have a free outlet to offer your stuff for sale. But every year I see less and less people coming to this site, much less supporting it financially. That is fine. I tried. I retired the SerpenCo business about 14 years ago, so retiring out of this business completely is not that big if a step for me, nor will it be especially painful to do. When I was in Thailand, I did not check in here for three weeks. I didn't miss it even a little bit. So if you all want it to remain, it will be in your hands. I really don't care either way.

    =====================
    Some people have indicated that finding the method to contribute is rather difficult. And I have to admit, that it is not all that obvious. So to help, here is a thread to help as a quide. How to become a contributing member of FaunaClassifieds.

    And for the record, I will be shutting down the Google Adsense ads on January 1, 2025.
  • Responding to email notices you receive.
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    In short, DON'T! Email notices are to ONLY alert you of a reply to your private message or your ad on this site. Replying to the email just wastes your time as it goes NOWHERE, and probably pisses off the person you thought you replied to when they think you just ignored them. So instead of complaining to me about your messages not being replied to from this site via email, please READ that email notice that plainly states what you need to do in order to reply to who you are trying to converse with.

Exotic Phasmids illegal in USA? USDA/Aphis documentation???

N

Nathan Tow-Arnett

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Does anyone know where to find the documentation from usda or aphis stating that ALL exotic stick insects or phasmids are illegal to own in the US?

I keep reading comments on forums about them being illegal to keep as pets but when I've tried to look up where the legal wording coming from usda or aphis I cannot find anything. Also I looked at Minnesota and didn't find anything restricting then as pets.

I can understand in the southern states having restrictions but nothing tropical could withstand a winter here in the North.

Any help would be appreciated.
 
I've heard this same story when I used to be on Arachnoboards but I've researched it and have never found any documentation. I will say that the eggs of various phasmid species have been sold, inexpensively, on the U.S. based eBay site for years without issue. I know from personal experience that eBay is very diligent in ensuring that nothing is sold on their site which violates federal rules and regulations.
 
I checked to see if the information I wrote about phasmids being available on eBay was still accurate - and it is. If you enter the words "stick insect" as a search query, the listings come up. Additionally, they have listings for live ants, moths, butterflies, mantids, every feeder insect, and tropical fish.:shrug01:/SIZE]
 
Correction

CORRECTION: Enter the words "stick" "insect" and "eggs" in the search query on eBay and the listings will come up. Good luck.:thumbsup:
 
I’ve noticed that Underground Reptiles is selling nymphs of the Phasmid species, Extasoma tiaratum for $20/each. The Phasmid hobby has come a long way just since the creation of this thread.
 
When I worked at a museum, I remember that we were required to have a permit for some but I believe not all of our phasmid collection. I think the Australian species did not require a permit, but I could be wrong. This was back in 2005 though.
 
bjwhiteley said:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ou...and-soil-permits/insects-and-mites/CT_Insects
Click to expand...

Firstly, nowhere in the regulations you appended does it specifically say a word about Phasmids, stick insects, leaf insects or their larvae or eggs. Second, the regulations only reference "importation" of insects that feed on plant matter. In other words, bringing live animals into the USA from a foreign country. Most phasmid species are now being bred in the US and sold as "captive born" so the regulation (even if applicable to Phasmids, which there is no proof of) is inapplicable to animals that are captive born and sold within the US.
 
John, I'm not sure why you are arguing with me. I agree the regulation is vague, but that just leaves the interpretation up to federal agents. It requires a permit for interstate movement, that is pretty specific. Then it also requires the permit for all exotic insects in public displays, zoos and museums. The intent is clearly to preclude private ownership.
 
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