Florida May Tighten Restrictions on Pythons

[CharlieJ]

By David Fleshler / South Florida Sun-Sentinel

With giant snakes battling alligators in the Everglades, the state wildlife commission has proposed sharp restrictions on the owners of Burmese pythons and four other nonnative reptiles, including a requirement to implant their slithery pets with computer identification chips.
Florida's hot and wet climate has made the state a congenial home for species from Africa, Asia and South America let loose by their owners after they become too big or too high-maintenance. A breeding population of Burmese pythons has been discovered in Everglades National Park, where the constrictors have killed native birds, mammals, and in one notorious incident, an alligator. Elsewhere in the state, trappers routinely catch pythons and other large non-native snakes.
The new rules would limit sales of constricting snakes that grow to at least 12 feet, specifically Burmese pythons, reticulated pythons, African rock pythons, amethystine or scrub pythons, and green anacondas. The rules would also restrict sales of Nile monitors, carnivorous lizards that can grow up to 6 feet and already have established a breeding population on Florida's Gulf coast, where they menace burrowing owls and gopher tortoises.
Under the new rules, python buyers would have to be 18 years old, complete a questionnaire, apply for a state permit, submit a plan for keeping the animal secure in case of a hurricane or other disaster, and have the reptile implanted with a computer chip.The rules would go into effect Jan. 1, 2008.
Like the ones used to help return lost dogs, cats and birds, the computer chip identifying the reptile's owner would be implanted by a vet. If wildlife officials caught the snake in the wild, they could check the chip, find the owner and charge him or her with a second-degree misdemeanor for allowing the non-native animal to get loose. The maximum penalty would be a $500 fine and 60 days in jail.
Assuming — and hoping — that many owners of the big snakes will find these rules too onerous, the state plans to set up amnesty programs that would allow people to drop off unwanted reptiles.

[NicoleRussell]

Under the new rules, python buyers would have to be 18 years old, complete a questionnaire, apply for a state permit, submit a plan for keeping the animal secure in case of a hurricane or other disaster, and have the reptile implanted with a computer chip.The rules would go into effect Jan. 1, 2008.

all I can say is : thank god!

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[mpgt]

[QUOTE=CharlieJ;335033

With giant snakes battling alligators in the Everglades, the state wildlife commission...[/QUOTE]

I hope that's not their main motivation. Why are we so concerned about protecting alligators from snakes when everytime they (gators) get near someone, they're rounded up and killed?

Why not impose the same restrictions on cats, dogs, iguanas, etc. There are a lot more of them on the loose, and they probably threaten more indigenous wildlife.

	Iguana Iguana

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[Finghin]

sounds good to me.

mpgt: I doubt they're thinking 'save the gators!' it was just an example showing how bad the situation has become.

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[mpgt]

I'd like to move to FL. Does anyone know a sure way to secure a large snake or monitor from unintentional release in a natural disaster like a tornado or tsunami?

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[mpgt]

I don't want to sound argumentative, but things like this really upset me. People think you can solve everything with new laws. To even suggest something like this, they should first examine it from every angle.

Maybe I’m wrong about this, but I think it’s like banning handguns because some people misuse them…or banning cell phone use while driving, in case it causes an accident. I say, make it a crime to run into someone with your car (it already is) and leave it at that. Then if you were distracted by changing a CD, lighting a cigarette, or arguing with someone in the back seat and you cause an accident; everyone knows the offence…inattentive driving. If you shoot someone with a handgun, we already have laws for that. If we outlaw or tightly restrict handguns just in case, then we should do the same with kitchen knives, scissors, screw drivers, pencils and anything else that could be used as a weapon.

[badkittyamy]

I don't see a problem with these laws, it simply requires people to actually have put thought into buying a snake. How will any of these restrictions affect good owners? Simple it won't as a proper snake owner would have all of these things done with the exception of needing the permit.

At least you can be happy that unlike dog lovers they haven't outright banned breeds of snake. In dade county pitbull breeds like the APBT are illegal tow own.

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[blueboykennels]

Thats right. I personaly am a breeder of pit bulls. Its not the dogs faught, its the owner's. Just the same with the snakes. Its the owners that don't follow the rules and take proper precautions that make it harder for the rest of us.

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[badkittyamy]

Exactly but at least they are thinking of putting rules in place that allow responsible owner's to keep them. Unlike with pit bulls,(which no one knows what it is anymore because of backyard breeding mixing them with American bulldogs and such).

And cats and dogs do not pose a threat to The Everglades. If one of those animals got into the everglades they wouldn't survive long before getting eaten. However the pythons have the ability to compete with the everglades top predator hence the stricter reaction to pythons than cats. Which yes kill species of birds but most likely are not actually roaming the glades, reproducing and thriving.

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[mpgt]

"Under the new rules, python buyers would have to be 18 years old, complete a questionnaire, apply for a state permit, submit a plan for keeping the animal secure in case of a hurricane or other disaster, and have the reptile implanted with a computer chip.The rules would go into effect Jan. 1, 2008...

...Assuming — and hoping — that many owners of the big snakes will find these rules too onerous, the state plans to set up amnesty programs that would allow people to drop off unwanted reptiles."

I suspect many current owners will not be able and/or sufficiently motivated to comply. The end result might be a lot of illegal pets and a lot of illegal sales, resulting ultimately in even more being released into the parks because there's no other way to get rid of an illegal snake. I don't think the amnesty program would last for long before they started charging people right and left. The plan also makes it harder to find legal purchasers for your babies. I think prices will drop (except for the illegal trade) and even more might find their way into the wild.

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[patch]

I dont see the need for one to own a burm as a pet. They get too large, cost more than the average person can afford to feed and house. Not to mention they need more than one person to be handled correctly. I have been reminded recently that common sense isnt common. These snakes are killing off endanged native animals. I say these new laws could do some good for us snake keepers as well as the environment.

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[RevMojo]

It's a good start. I especially like the must be 18 part. Nothing against our well meaning, best intentioned youngster members, but burms and kids ain't usually a good idea (for all the reasons we usually cite when they come on asking about it). Heck, burms and most people ain't a good idea. The hurricane contigency plan is something you already have, living in FL. Or ought to, if you're a responsible person, much less responsible pet owner.

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[crush]

A permit is one thing but at what cost. Here in New York as of 2005 if you had a Burm,Rock,Scrub or Anaconda or Larger Monitors you had to get a permit. $200 each every year. Sales and buying them was no longer aloud after Jan 1st 2005. Atleast in Florida if they pass it you can still buy them.

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[CraigC]

Here's a link to what exotics are now found in Florida:

FWC - Critter Questions - Exotic wildlife

I support the permit requirement. Living in So. Florida, I have frequented the Everglades for years. It is a shame what many exotic species have done to this once pristeen environment. Both plants and animals. Some exotics have been introduced by the state to combat other exotics to curtail their devestation to native species. Agriculture has also had a major hand in the devestaion and is guilty of introducing some of exotic plants.

These new regulations will help prevent a lot of the "disposable" pet sales that occur on a regular basis, make people responsible for these animals (both seller and buyer) and may prevent the release of more into the environment. Legitimate sales at shows should be unaffected. As far as "underground sales", I don't think there will be a tremendous increase, as they will have to be by word of mouth. Anyone who advertises via internet classifieds, auctions or website will have to be cautious when selling into Florida and may altogether choose not too. The $39.95 Burm will nolonger exist and the breeders that specifically target that market won't be doing so in Florida.

Craig

[crush]

I just dont want to see a total ban like here in New York. I would like to see responsible people be able to have and afford the permits.

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[Sleepy_FF]

that sounds like a good plan... i like it.

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[CraigC]

Originally Posted by crush

I just dont want to see a total ban like here in New York. I would like to see responsible people be able to have and afford the permits.

I might understand a ban in the city (so many people in a relatively small area) due to having an escapee survive and possibly thrive in an apartment complex or closely knit housing. I just don't understand why it would be an issue in the burbs or country. I don't think an escapee would survive the winter.

Craig

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[icedtrip]

This may have already been posted, but here is an article concerning where a lot of this is coming from. Although I despise it when people let their large snakes loose when they can no longer keep them, I also despise it when authors pin the fault on the animal itself as a monster, foe, enemy, etc. Oh well, they are after the headline.

Biologists in pursuit of#$%^&exotic, voracious foe - CNN.com

[razeraze]

i think the age and questionare as well as the microchip are fantastic ideas. it should be passed to iguanas, dogs and cats as well. an animal should have to be sold to an adult, with proper knowledge and proper finances.

	Iguana Iguana

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[SoberGuy]

Originally Posted by razeraze

an animal should have to be sold to an adult, with proper knowledge and proper finances.

They don't even do that with kids or firearms.

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters