U.S. border agents had a zoo on their hands last week.
Over 160 living reptile and bug species hidden in jars and bags, including pythons, frogs and tarantulas, were confiscated by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at Anzalduas International Bridge in Texas on their way to Mexico, according to a press release.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection – PHOTO: Jars and bags containing more than 160 species of reptiles and arthropods seized by CBP officers at Anzalduas International Bridge.
Port Director Carlos Rodriguez said that exotic animal smuggling has been on the rise across the U.S.’ southern border.
“The smuggling of exotic pets has been on the rise in our area, and we work closely with our partners of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect and preserve these creatures and ensure that importations and exportations of wildlife adhere to all applicable federal requirements,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez.
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According to the press release, a silver Toyota truck carrying the animals was intercepted by the border agents on Oct. 22, who arrested the driver and began a criminal investigation into the matter. The reptiles and spiders were given to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for custody.
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The full list of the 163 confiscated animals is below.
Royal Pythons (24)
Green Anoles (15)
Spotted Salamanders (11)
Sick Red Eye Tree Frogs (10)
Albino Milk Snakes (10)
Orange Milk Snakes (10)
Mexican Black King Snakes (10)
Monarch Ball Pythons (4)
Tarantulas (4)
Yellow Pacman Frogs (3)
Coffee Pacman Frogs (3)
Chilean Rose Tarantulas (3)
Irian Jaya Blue Tongued Skinks (3)
Bearded Dragons (3)
Savannah Monitors (3)
Rankin Dragons (3)
Albino Aberrant Calif. King Snakes (3)
Albino Banded Calif. King Snakes (3)
Albino Striped Calif. King Snakes (3)
Albino/Amelanistic Corn Snakes (3)
Black Corn Snakes (3)
Ball Pythons (2)
Honduran Milk Snakes (2)
Ornate Monitor Lizards (2)
Chinese Caved Geckos (2)
Veiled Chameleons (2)
Centipedes (2)
Green Tree Pythons (2)
High White Calif. King Snakes (2)
Timor Python (1)
Carpet Python (1)
Garter Snake (1)
Banana Blade Clown (1)
Banana Spotnose (1)
Pinstripe Ball Python (1)
Fire Skink (1)
Indian Star Tortoise (1)
Ghost Aztec Jungle Boa (1)
Female Juveline Axanthic Banana Ball Python (1)
Female Juveline Axanthic Banana Lesser Ball Python (1)
Juveline Axanthic Lesser Ball Python (1)
Juveline Axanthic Ball Python (1)
Juvenile Ghost Piebald Ball Python (1)
Juvenile Piebald Ball Python (1)
Male Juvenile Axanthic Banana Enchi Ball Python (1)
