Why is California so restrictive with exotic pets?

I've noticed that California has bans on so many exotic animals that most states have legal to own. And many are proven to do no harm to the new ecosystem they are introduced to so why is California so anal retentive with owning exotic pets?Why is California so restrictive with exotic pets?Because they can be invasive if released or escape. So many people get exotic pets because they think they are cool, then they realize that they can't care for them when they are grown. When these "pets" are released they can wreak havoc on the local ecosystem and destroy many of the areas native species. Everybody needs to think carefully when they are considering a new pet or plant and research them to make sure they do not have the propensity to overcome and destroy local flora and fauna.Why is California so restrictive with exotic pets?What animals exactly are "proven" to not damage an ecosystem? Even if they don't do well and set up control of a ecosystem niche they can introduce foreign bacteria/virus/fungi that can rage uncontrolled.

California is massive and has a very large and varied amount of habitat that released pets could adapt to and disrupt. While I think many of California's laws go too far and are extraneous there is a reason to control certain types of exotic pets, even if a great deal of their reasons are misled.