Reptile hurricane preps??*FLORIDA**

[crisstyle21]

I was just curious and had this question in my mind. Hurricane season is here and the topic of hurricanes is everywhere. So my main concern is what will happen if we reptile keepers have to be evacuated to a shelter , in this case what types of things should be done? Can we even bring our snakes with us? Here in florida they've prodicted 17 storms. Hey just like they make a hurricane prep for a household someone should create one for us reptile keepers. Hope to hear some good thoughts

[Alice]

Good idea about a hurricane plan. We're making sure we have tubs with lids for all our snakes so we can move them if need be. I know the shelters around here won't accept them though. Maybe staying in a hotel would be an idea if they didn't know what you had in the tubs. I'm not real concerned about loss of electricity for the balls, since they'd love the heat and humidity. We did purchase a generator for the incubator . . . .


I doubt we'd evacuate, simply because we have so make balls (100 including hatchlings), eggs incubating and dogs (5). But, we're in Central Florida and not along the coast so I feel safer staying at home.

I think it would be smart if we could form an evacuation buddy system so those with balls that have to evaucuate could bring them to someone they trust to keep them who knows what to do with a ball python.

Any other ideas?

[neilgolli]

Part of the new legislation that will go into effect january 1st of next year regarding the animals of concern will require you to submit an evacuation plan to fish and wildlife along with your application.

Items to include off the top of my head are:

The total number of animals, their size, scientific and common names.

A well thought out relocation plan for the animals or if your not going anywhere like Alice or Me, a plan to ensure that unless of total destruction your animals will not be escaping into the wild. i.e., each and every animal individually bagged in the event that your rack or tanks are knocked over or destroyed the animals are not just able to crawl out the back door and into the wild.

There are also many other items for you to think about as well regarding heat, clean water and power for incubators. Write it all down, make a check list and compare it with fellow herpers to see where your list can be improved upon.


Neil Golli

[crisstyle21]

Wow I should notify my local reptile breeders to see how theyve done it in the past. I have a breeder down here that went through hurricane andrew in 92 and still was able to keep his eggs and snakes safe. Maybe a generator should be in the plan when living in a natural disaster state.

[Alice]

A well thought out relocation plan for the animals or if your not going anywhere like Alice or Me, a plan to ensure that unless of total destruction your animals will not be escaping into the wild. i.e., each and every animal individually bagged in the event that your rack or tanks are knocked over or destroyed the animals are not just able to crawl out the back door and into the wild.

Good point about bagging the snakes Neil!