New reptile laws in Florida

[Seneschal]

This is an article found in a newspaper the other day, typed word for word...this is everything they had in it. No other information was provided.

New reptile owners in Florida face tougher requirements
Owning some animals will require a permit and a microchip.
Associated Press

TALLAHASSEE--New rules for owning some reptiles in Florida are in effect.

Anyone seeking to own a python, green anaconda, or Nile monitor lizard is required to get a permit and a microchip. The reptiles must be caged. Owners have to answer questions about basic reptile care and have a "bite response plan" plus an annual $100 fee.

A permit is also required for red-eared slider turtles. It's illegal to allow the turtles to reproduce, and all eggs must be destroyed.

More information about the reptile permits is available on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Comission's Website, MyFWC.com/permits.

A picture of a spider ball python is included with the text, "Owning a ball python such as this fellow is going to be tougher under new Florida rules. --Steve K. Zylius/Orange County Register"




Just...urgh.

[Jay_Bunny]

Bite Response Plan?

$100 annual fees?

Microchips?

That is all a little too much for some pythons, don't you think?

[Seneschal]

Yes...because while I can understand wanting to microchip the larger snakes (because of how frequently they get released into the everglades and are harming the ecosystem, and they would want to be able to find them easily to recover them) it's ridiculous for other species. A "bite response plan" I can understand for a venomous species...but...for pythons? *shakes head* This is a case of politicians signing a bill regarding something they don't understand much about.

[Emilio]

I thought it was for larger species nothing under 6 ft.

[neilgolli]

The new law is for larger species and the newspaper or the individual making the quote is incorrect.

These rules create the list of reptiles of concern -- the Indian or Burmese python, reticulated python, African rock python, Amethystine or scrub python, green anaconda and the Nile monitor lizard.

[Repti-Rob]

That's scary! I live in Florida and have a class II and III permit for my snakes and other animals(needed one for my ring tailed lemur) but had a friend that intends to breed balls and has 10 of them right now. When he sent in his application to get a class III permit he was told that he did not need it for this species? this was Dec about two weeks ago so I think that Emilio is right and it is for larger snakes(just my opinion) but it still sucks as I care for larger snakes as well!

[Seneschal]

I had originally heard that it was for only large snakes like burms and olive pythons and anacondas, but then this came out and said the opposite...still, I think the annual fee is a bit excessive. Yes, I agree that new owners should be required to prove they know how large the baby animal they are buying gets, and what their living and feeding requirements are...and that they should probably be microchipped...but the fee bothers me. You're already paying for a permit, and for the animal, and for the microchip, and for food...why the fee?

[Hotshot]

well, I got 2 ball BP'S and I'm not paying anything, I want to breed and I live in FL so do I have to pay for just BP?

[bonheki]

i read this you need to microchip any python and get a permit for a snake 10+ft now the microchip only cost 25$ but the permit is 100$ each snake over 10 ft

[neilgolli]

i read this you need to microchip any python and get a permit for a snake 10+ft now the microchip only cost 25$ but the permit is 100$ each snake over 10 ft

The fee is a once a year permit fee and is NOT for each snake. You get a blanket permit, you just need to let them know what you have. Also the size of the snake does not matter . You need to have a permit or get a permit before you buy a baby burm or any of the other species mentioned in my post above.