Crazy Crow Trading Post, respected seller of American Indian and Muzzleloading supplies, (
http://www.crazycrow.com/) is selling Rattlesnake skins and Turtle Shells!
For every individual Rattlesnake skin and turtle shell sold, Crazy Crow is directly contributing to the reduction of the remaining populations of some of our Earth's most unique and beautiful creatures.
Rattlesnakes are a very important part of a healthy ecosystem. The removal of even one Rattlesnake has a huge impact on the local populations of predators and prey where it was taken from. Rattlesnakes have a very slow reproductive rate and if many snakes are removed from an area in a short period of time then those snakes that are left will have a very hard time finding mates and controlling prey items such as rodents and rabbits which may then overpopulate spreading disease and damaging crops.
Also, the way that many snake hunters capture Rattlesnakes by often
spraying gasoline or other toxic chemicals into holes, rock crevices
and burrows is deadly for the other creatures that share the
den with the Rattlesnake--the Gopher tortoise is endangered due in part to this practice. This ignorant practice also pollutes the ground water that we and our livestock eventually will drink.
Selling Rattlesnake parts also serves to spread irrational fears of an animal that is actually very timid by nature. Countless times while conducting field research I have encountered a Rattlesnake in the wild only to have it crawl quickly away to hide--not rattle and strike as most people believe they do. They only become defensive and may bite when cornered, threatened or harmed--just as any animal will do.
By selling products such as Rattlesnake skins the fear of the animal is spread and the Rattlesnake as a species suffers.
Turtles of all species are declining worldwide due to the greed of man. Turtles are collected from the wild--often illegally--and sold for food, decorations and as "pets." Many species of turtles are slow to reach sexual maturity and then produce very few offspring that reach adulthood. Removing hundreds of turtles from the wild for whatevever reason upsets the balance of nature. Remaining turtles will not be able to find mates, eggs will not be laid and the populations will dwindle. Prey items of those removed turtles will have no limiting factor and will overpopulate causing further imbalance.
Crazy Crow, please reconsider your marketing of these items--it is an unsustainable and environmentally unethical practice that is unsettling to see from a supplier of Native American craft items. The Native Americans of the past were good stewards of the Earth and lived in harmony with all creatures. Please take inspiration from past generations and do not sell out as so many others have done--for the almighty dollar. Please consider using the technology now avalible and sell imitation turtle shells and snake skins. You may even consider becoming a supporter of wildlife conservation and teach environmental awareness through your website as I have done.
Let's work together to end the irrational, ignorant and unsustainable trade in threatened and endangered wildlife parts such as Rattlesnake skins and turtle shells.
View the skins and shells on Crazy Crow's website:
http://www.crazycrow.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CCTP&Product_Code=1626-101-111&Category_Code=
http://www.crazycrow.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CCTP&Product_Code=1950-100-002&Category_Code=
http://www.crazycrow.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CCTP&Product_Code=1950-100-003&Category_Code=
My website:
http://www.earthshinenature.com
Hello Crazy Crow,
We the Undersigned--
Would like to voice our concern about some of the items you are
selling on your site. By selling Rattlesnake skins and turtle shells you are directly contributing to the reduction of the remaining populations of some of our Earth's most unique and beautiful creatures.
Rattlesnakes are very important components of a healthy ecosystem. The removal of even one Rattlesnake has a huge impact on the local populations of predators and prey where it was taken from. They have a very slow reproductive rate and if many snakes are removed from an area in a short period of time then those snakes that are left will have a very hard time finding mates and controlling their prey items such as rodents and rabbits which may then overpopulate spreading disease and damaging crops.
Also, the way that many snake hunters capture Rattlesnakes--often
spraying gasoline or other toxic chemicals into holes, rock crevices
and burrows is usually deadly for the other creatures that share the den with the Rattlesnake--the Gopher tortoise is endangered due in part to this practice. This practice also pollutes the ground water that we and our livestock eventually will drink.
Selling Rattlesnake parts also serves to spread irrational fears of an animal that is actually very timid by nature. Countless times while conducting field research I have encountered a Rattlesnake in the wild only to have it crawl quickly away to hide--not rattle and strike as most people believe they do. They only become defensive and may bite when cornered, threatened or harmed--just as any other animal will do.
By selling products like Rattlesnake skins, the fear of the animal is spread and the Rattlesnake suffers.
Turtles of all species are declining worldwide due to the greed of man. Turtles are collected from the wild--often illegally--and sold for food, decorations and as "pets." Many species of turtles are slow to reach sexual maturity and then produce very few offspring that reach adulthood. Removing hundreds of turtles from the wild for whatever reason upsets the balance of nature. Remaining turtles will not be able to find mates, eggs will not be laid and the wild populations will dwindle. Prey items of those removed turtles will have no limiting factor and will overpopulate causing further imbalance.
Crazy Crow, please reconsider your marketing of these items--it is an unsustainable and environmentally unethical practice that is unsettling to see from a supplier of Native American craft items. The Native Americans of the past were good stewards of the Earth and lived in harmony with all creatures. Please take inspiration from past generations and do not sell out as so many others have done--for the almighty dollar. Please consider using the technology avaliable and sell imitation turtle shells and snake skins. You may even consider becoming a supporter of wildlife conservation and teach environmental awareness through your website as I have done.
Let's work together to end the irrational, ignorant and unsustainable trade in threatened and endangered wildlife parts such as Rattlesnake skins and turtle shells.
Thank you for your time,