Wildlife officers have arrested 10 Kentucky serpent traders – mostly in eastern Kentucky – and confiscated more than 100 rattlesnakes, copperheads, water moccasins and cobras, according to the Associated Press.Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Director of Law Enforcement Col. Bob Milligan told the AP that it was unclear whether the snakes were intended for Appalachian churches where handling serpents is a religious rite or whether they were destined to become exotic pets in homes.
"It is disturbing to me that individuals would keep such dangerous wildlife in their homes and in neighborhoods where they
put their families, visitors and neighbors as such high risk,'' Milligan said.
Wildlife officers made the arrests late last week after a nearly two-year undercover investigation into Kentucky's snake
trade. Those arrested were charged with illegally possessing, importing, buying or selling reptiles.
The snakes, plus one alligator, were turned over to the Kentucky Reptile Zoo at Slade.
The AP reported that undercover officers purchased more than 200 illegal reptiles during the investigation, some of which were advertised for sale on Web sites. One such Web site lists copperheads for $50 each. Cobras for $450.
"You can purchase anything off the Internet except common sense,'' Harrison said. ``A venomous snake isn't a pet. You don't
play with it. If you do, you're an idiot.''
Most of the people arrested were in Appalachian counties. They were dealing in a variety of snakes, including the gaboon viper and puff adder, both highly venomous. Officers confiscated 200 reptiles, including 125 snakes.
(The inset photo is the cover of a book Serpents and Humans by Edwin E. Ott.)
