Ok, according to Fish and Game Code in California:
2118. It is unlawful to import, transport, possess, or release
alive into this state, except under a revocable, nontransferable
permit as provided in this chapter and the regulations pertaining
thereto, any wild animal of the following species:
Class Aves: (birds)
Family Cuculidae (cuckoos) <--used this as an example
Class Mammalia (mammals)
Order Primates <--Another example
All species except those in family
Hominidae
Class Reptilia (snakes, lizards, <--area in question
turtles, alligators)
Family Crocodilidae
All species.
Fish and Game code states that all species in the Crocodilidae Family are restricted.
Example: Nile Crocodile, Class Reptilia, Order Crocodilia, Family Crocodilidae would be illegal under California Fish and Game Code.
BUT: American Alligator, Class Reptilia, Order Crocodilia, Family ALLIGATORIDAE.
Now Fish and Game Code specifies ORDER and FAMILY as shown above with Aves (birds, cuckoos) and Mammalia (mammals, primates).
If you follow taxonomy specifically, aren't alligators (Family Alligatoridae NOT Family Crocodilidae) legal in California, example: American Alligator, Class Reptilia, Order Crocodilia, Family Alligatoridae, Genus Alligator, Species A. mississippiensis?
Also caimans (Family Alligatoridae, NOT Family Crocodilidae)? Example: Dwarf Caiman, Class Reptilia, Order Crocodilia, Family Alligatoridae, Genus Paleosuchus, Species P. palpebrosus?
Am I getting my taxonomy wrong? Or has the CA Fish and Game Code been misinterpreted? If I'm reading this correctly, Alligators and Caimans are legal in California.
See:
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/wa...ction=retrieve
Section 2118 (f).