Warning: S373

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Originally Posted by ScottyDsntKnow

I feel the same way as you do personally. HOWEVER, this guy wrote the bill and you calling it ignorant is calling him ignorant by association. I know you didn't mean it that way but it WILL be taken that way. Even using the word uninformed would be iffy here. I know its ridiculous but that's just how it is. I personally would have used an example such as:

Honorable Sir or Ma'am,

I write to you to ask that you please consider voting NO to S373 which would impose a federal trading ban on all species of pythons and boa constrictors. While I understand your concern about the feral population of Burmese Pythons in the Everglades and possible propagation of a non-native species to other areas, this bill does not address this issue itself, nor does it provide a solution for removal of these animals.

The Burmese Python issue is a South Florida issue not a national one. There is no credible evidence to show that these animals can exist north of Lake Okeechobee. Out of all the Pythons and Boas imported into the US over the last 50 years, only Burmese Pythons have ever established a breeding wild colony and only in South Florida. No evidence exists anywhere to suggest that banning all Pythons will have any positive impact on the effected area in the southern tip of Florida as it does nothing to address the issue that these animals are already living there. Banning the interstate trade of all pythons does nothing to solve this. To the contrary, it will destroy thousands of small businesses and further damage and already fragile economy.

While some may not consider a snake a pet, the herpetological(sp?) industy is growing by leaps and bounds. According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Assn. 2007-2008 pet owners’ survey, the total number of reptiles owned in the United States increased 22 percent since the survey was taken two years ago, from 11 million to 13.4 million. In response, pet manufacturing companies, supply companies and retailers everywhere are moving to meet the demand.

“The reptile market is a growing one,” says Kevin Wai, managing director of AquaTerra International in Los Angeles. “As the aquarium industry is becoming saturated with products, manufacturers are now turning toward the reptile industry. They see the growth potential and the rising popularity of reptiles as pets and now they want to get involved.”

The proposed trade ban of Pythons and Boa Constrictors will severely restrict or even halt the rapid growth of the industry as these two animals are some of the most popular reptile pets. Yes, it is true that larger constricting snakes such as the animals currently living in the Everglades can grow to up to 20 feet and are dangerous for inexperienced keepers. However, the most common constricting snakes kept as pets, Ball Pythons(python regius) top out at 6 feet with most specimens only ever reaching about 4 feet and the thickness of a 12 oz. aluminum beverage can. These animals are not dangerous. Even the larger Boa Constrictors are considered the most docile of all constricting snakes and great pets able to be handled by one person.

Banning the interstate trade of these animals because one species is a problem in an isolated area is unfair. Would an interstate trade ban of dogs be fair to the canine community because one breed became a problem in one area of one state? I would understand requiring permits for larger constricting snakes as they can be dangerous and should only be owned by experienced, trained keepers but a straight up ban is unnecessary for a small animal such as a ball python.

As mentioned previously, this ban will be financially devastating. It will destroy thousands of hardworking American families and small businesses. Not just the breeders and dealers who make most of their sales worldwide, but hobbyists, dry goods, equipment manufacturers, food providers, shippers, trade shows, hotels and restaurants. In an already precarious economy do we really want to create even more economic hardship?

In closing, as a herpetology enthusiast and hopeful future breeder I again implore you to vote NO to this proposed bill. I know that a snake is not the ideal perfect pet for everyone but not everyone is a dog or cat person either. There are millions of us who love these reptiles and want to continue to enjoy them and all they have to offer.

Very Respectfully,
NAME

IMO that is how you communicate with these people. No I don't have very many statistics in there but I do have a reliable source and a quote. Rationalizing also plays a good part. I did say unfair, but that is much different than using the word ignorant. I'm not trying to pick on anyone in particular, I just saw that word in a post and yes it does stick out. Hopefully what I wrote can be expanded on and improved. I know I'm not the greatest writer in the world and what I wrote up there needs a bunch of editing and probably some more good information but its a start.

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But see, Scotty, the thing is, that paragraph was only the last paragraph of a very eloquent, well thought-out appeal to Senator Nelson to remove S373 from the Senate floor. And it was paraphrased at that - because, I don't have a copy of the letter I sent! I wish I would have saved the letter so I can post a copy of it here. But, alas, I did not expect to be defending it to you guys! The letter is riddled with facts about the Ball Python - not as an industry, but as a species - gathered from my son's Ball Python books. I touched on why experts consider Ball Pythons a good starter pet and how my 7 and 5 year old sons have benefited from ball python ownership as opposed to their Bichon Frise dog and my African Grey parrot. It attempts to predict the impact a Ball Python will have on the vulnerable and near threatened Floridian fauna like the Key Largo Wood Rat as opposed to the impact of habitat loss from expanding human development (the main reason why Sen Nelson wanted a Federal ban is because Burmese Pythons are killing vulnerable fauna in the Everglades). It also outlines the differences between the Ball Python and the Brown Tree Snake in Guam. And it also provides key differences between a Burmese Python and a Ball Python and their prey items. I had at least 6 books open plus the internet search engines running at full power to make sure I was accurate. Towards the end, I made special mention of the current permit process instituted by the State of Florida on Jan 1, 2008 to regulate ownership of certain species of pythons, anacondas, and nile monitors. This was a successful compromise between FFWCC and the Florida Herp Society and can be used as a template for a Federal bill. The letter did not touch on the ball python trade as an industry because I meant to focus on the fact that not all pythons are created equal and that a sweeping ban is, in fact,... here we go... ready?... ignorant of the existence of Ball Pythons. Okay, so revise the last statement, take out ignorant, and replace with a different word - make sure you keep the meaning of the sentence - and send to your senator. But, in the whole scheme of things, with all that I presented in the letter, do you really think the use of the word ignorant matters one bit? I mean, of course, if the letter would have said, "Your introduction of this preposterous bill is indicative of your ignorance" regardless of the professionalism of the first 10 paragraphs... yeah, I would see that as a big problem. 'Nuff said.

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Originally Posted by ScottyDsntKnow

I feel the same way as you do personally. HOWEVER, this guy wrote the bill and you calling it ignorant is calling him ignorant by association. I know you didn't mean it that way but it WILL be taken that way. Even using the word uninformed would be iffy here. I know its ridiculous but that's just how it is. I personally would have used an example such as:

Honorable Sir or Ma'am,

I write to you to ask that you please consider voting NO to S373 which would impose a federal trading ban on all species of pythons and boa constrictors. While I understand your concern about the feral population of Burmese Pythons in the Everglades and possible propagation of a non-native species to other areas, this bill does not address this issue itself, nor does it provide a solution for removal of these animals.

The Burmese Python issue is a South Florida issue not a national one. There is no credible evidence to show that these animals can exist north of Lake Okeechobee. Out of all the Pythons and Boas imported into the US over the last 50 years, only Burmese Pythons have ever established a breeding wild colony and only in South Florida. No evidence exists anywhere to suggest that banning all Pythons will have any positive impact on the effected area in the southern tip of Florida as it does nothing to address the issue that these animals are already living there. Banning the interstate trade of all pythons does nothing to solve this. To the contrary, it will destroy thousands of small businesses and further damage and already fragile economy.

While some may not consider a snake a pet, the herpetological(sp?) industy is growing by leaps and bounds. According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Assn. 2007-2008 pet owners’ survey, the total number of reptiles owned in the United States increased 22 percent since the survey was taken two years ago, from 11 million to 13.4 million. In response, pet manufacturing companies, supply companies and retailers everywhere are moving to meet the demand.

“The reptile market is a growing one,” says Kevin Wai, managing director of AquaTerra International in Los Angeles. “As the aquarium industry is becoming saturated with products, manufacturers are now turning toward the reptile industry. They see the growth potential and the rising popularity of reptiles as pets and now they want to get involved.”

The proposed trade ban of Pythons and Boa Constrictors will severely restrict or even halt the rapid growth of the industry as these two animals are some of the most popular reptile pets. Yes, it is true that larger constricting snakes such as the animals currently living in the Everglades can grow to up to 20 feet and are dangerous for inexperienced keepers. However, the most common constricting snakes kept as pets, Ball Pythons(python regius) top out at 6 feet with most specimens only ever reaching about 4 feet and the thickness of a 12 oz. aluminum beverage can. These animals are not dangerous. Even the larger Boa Constrictors are considered the most docile of all constricting snakes and great pets able to be handled by one person.

Banning the interstate trade of these animals because one species is a problem in an isolated area is unfair. Would an interstate trade ban of dogs be fair to the canine community because one breed became a problem in one area of one state? I would understand requiring permits for larger constricting snakes as they can be dangerous and should only be owned by experienced, trained keepers but a straight up ban is unnecessary for a small animal such as a ball python.

As mentioned previously, this ban will be financially devastating. It will destroy thousands of hardworking American families and small businesses. Not just the breeders and dealers who make most of their sales worldwide, but hobbyists, dry goods, equipment manufacturers, food providers, shippers, trade shows, hotels and restaurants. In an already precarious economy do we really want to create even more economic hardship?

In closing, as a herpetology enthusiast and hopeful future breeder I again implore you to vote NO to this proposed bill. I know that a snake is not the ideal perfect pet for everyone but not everyone is a dog or cat person either. There are millions of us who love these reptiles and want to continue to enjoy them and all they have to offer.

Very Respectfully,
NAME

IMO that is how you communicate with these people. No I don't have very many statistics in there but I do have a reliable source and a quote. Rationalizing also plays a good part. I did say unfair, but that is much different than using the word ignorant. I'm not trying to pick on anyone in particular, I just saw that word in a post and yes it does stick out. Hopefully what I wrote can be expanded on and improved. I know I'm not the greatest writer in the world and what I wrote up there needs a bunch of editing and probably some more good information but its a start.

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Originally Posted by snakemastercanada

S373 has been moved into the Water & Wildlife Sub- Committee. It will be heard there and if given a favorable rating move back to the full Environment & Public Works Committee. (see contact info below)

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all of the cosponsors of this bill represent just over half of that committee

I forgot to mention that I also included in the letter that in our search for reliable, responsible captive breeders of quality ball pythons, we tend to either go to reptile shows or have them shipped from out-of-state and cited BHB Reptiles in Michigan and 8BallPythons in Maryland as prime examples.

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Originally Posted by anatess

But see, Scotty, the thing is, that paragraph was only the last paragraph of a very eloquent, well thought-out appeal to Senator Nelson to remove S373 from the Senate floor. And it was paraphrased at that - because, I don't have a copy of the letter I sent! I wish I would have saved the letter so I can post a copy of it here. But, alas, I did not expect to be defending it to you guys! The letter is riddled with facts about the Ball Python - not as an industry, but as a species - gathered from my son's Ball Python books. I touched on why experts consider Ball Pythons a good starter pet and how my 7 and 5 year old sons have benefited from ball python ownership as opposed to their Bichon Frise dog and my African Grey parrot. It attempts to predict the impact a Ball Python will have on the vulnerable and near threatened Floridian fauna like the Key Largo Wood Rat as opposed to the impact of habitat loss from expanding human development (the main reason why Sen Nelson wanted a Federal ban is because Burmese Pythons are killing vulnerable fauna in the Everglades). It also outlines the differences between the Ball Python and the Brown Tree Snake in Guam. And it also provides key differences between a Burmese Python and a Ball Python and their prey items. I had at least 6 books open plus the internet search engines running at full power to make sure I was accurate. Towards the end, I made special mention of the current permit process instituted by the State of Florida on Jan 1, 2008 to regulate ownership of certain species of pythons, anacondas, and nile monitors. This was a successful compromise between FFWCC and the Florida Herp Society and can be used as a template for a Federal bill. The letter did not touch on the ball python trade as an industry because I meant to focus on the fact that not all pythons are created equal and that a sweeping ban is, in fact,... here we go... ready?... ignorant of the existence of Ball Pythons. Okay, so revise the last statement, take out ignorant, and replace with a different word - make sure you keep the meaning of the sentence - and send to your senator. But, in the whole scheme of things, with all that I presented in the letter, do you really think the use of the word ignorant matters one bit? I mean, of course, if the letter would have said, "Your introduction of this preposterous bill is indicative of your ignorance" regardless of the professionalism of the first 10 paragraphs... yeah, I would see that as a big problem. 'Nuff said.

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Has anyone read PIJAC's info on it all yet? http://www.pijac.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=505
They also have a survey for breeders/wholesalers/petstores etc to gather some info on the financial aspects of pythons in the pet trade.

If anything, their Pet Alert .pdf has lots of good information http://www.pijac.org/files/public/US_SB_373.pdf