Hi,

Thanks for your interest. Australia is wise in limiting the importation of exotics, especially considering all the damage they have caused to the continent's unique wildlife.

In the USA, the situation is somewhat complex. Federal laws apply to all states and people - other than via permit (zoos, museums, researchers etc), there is no way to legally own federally protected species.

State laws vary as to non-Federally protected species - for example, tiger salamanders may not be sold in NY, but are used as fishing bait in some western states!

Best, Frank