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!

[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

[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.

[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?

[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.