Question about the new possible boa constrictor ban

[Bluebonnet Herp]

The species being regulated are the species being listed by the FWS, or at least what the FWS defines as a species. (While Burmese pythons were declared a separate species from Indian rock pythons, FWS ignored this. In addition, if Boa constrictor imperator is declared a separate species from B. c. constrictor based on recent new evidence, they would likely ignore this as well.) The Lacey Act regulations generally go by specific scientific names, not common names. Dumeril's boas are taxonomically arranged as Acrantophis dumerili, not Boa constrictor, therefor, they are not a boa constrictor and not proposed to be regulated.
The regulation itself only prohibits interstate transport and importation. In other words, it would be a felony if you took your prohibited species from, say, Texas to Oklahoma because you were moving or attending an expo. It would also be illegal to ship out of state, as most online breeders do. Therefor, it would end the online sales that typical ship across the country, such as selling a prohibited species from California to South Carolina because that would mean the animal is leaving one state and entering another. In general, the law kills both the availability as well as a motivation for breeding them. But it does not ban keeping them altogether, although local and state regulations vary and some do put outright bans on animals that are regulated by the Lacey Act or the Endangered Species Act. In addition, it is also still legal to export your animals, so in theory, you could still breed a prohibited species to sell to Europe or some other foreign market, although shipping is much more expensive as you can imagine.

The currently prohibited species are as follows:

• Indian Rock Pythons (Python molurus, including Burmese pythons as FWS recognizes them being a subspecies, P. m. bivittatus)
• North African Rock Pythons (P. sebae)
• South African Python (P. natalensis)
• Yellow Anaconda (Eunectes notaeus)

The other snakes originally refrained from being listed and are now being considered for listing are as follows:

• Boa constrictors (Boa constrictor; all subspecies, including but not limited to B. c. constrictor, B. c. imperator, and B. c. occidentalis)
• Reticulated Pythons (Python reticulatus or, being that FWS recognizes it, Broghammerus reticulatus. Includes all subspecies and dwarf races.)
• Green Anaconda (Eunectes murinus)
• De Schauensee's Anaconda (E. deschauenseei)
• Bolivian Anaconda (E. beniensis)

*Please note that De Schauensee’s anacondas and Bolivian anacondas do not exist in the North American or European trade. For whatever reason the USGS included it in their "study" is unknown.
The only reason why these animals were chosen is because they were considered in the USGS's deceptive "study." I would not be surprised if they were to do another "study" including ball pythons, dumeril's boas, and many other python and boa species and considered barring their ownership as well, simply because they can't consider any new laws or listings without having "evidence" to refer to.

This is just killing all the breeding being done. I've always loved Burms and want a granite but now I can't because the government thinks that they're dangerous.


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You need to move to Texas. Just saw some Burm juvies at a recent expo.

Edit:

The Lacy act was put into place to protect species from being exploited in nations where they offer no protection from export. Basically, the original purpose of this was to ban the import of these species into the US even if the country of origin will allow them to be exported (either legally, or illegally through bribe). This gives animals a chance to prosper by taking away the pressure from the import of these species into the US as "rare" commodities. The lacy act in and of itself is a very powerful tool. However, it is being twisted by the government at current to be used as a method of control for species crossing state lines, because this law specifically regulates these animals not only from import, but from crossing state lines.

Take away the government trying to regulate the snake trade (leave that to the states) and the Lacy act is a GREAT thing (places like Africa will pretty much allow you to get endangered species out with a bribe, as well as many countries in South America). But given the way the government is abusing its power (Shocked face) its turning a good thing into a horrible thing.

And this, exactly. The listing of the current snake species is nothing short of abusive use of the Lacey Act.

[meowmeowkazoo]

The Dumeril's Boa may not technically count as a boa constrictor, but people are kidding themselves if they think the HSUS and USFW are done with proposing bans. After boa constrictors, you can bet money that the other snakes will soon follow. Which is why people need to get involved NOW and donate to USARK, not just wait until it's something that personally affects them.

[whatsherface]

I've been ruminating on getting my first red tail boa for awhile, and now I feel like I need to get on it while I still can! The fact that misinformed fear mongers can put regulations like this into law makes me so angry...

[bcr229]

I've been ruminating on getting my first red tail boa for awhile, and now I feel like I need to get on it while I still can! The fact that misinformed fear mongers can put regulations like this into law makes me so angry...

I know, I accelerated my purchases too. I had planned to get more BP's this year but put those plans on hold for the last 2 boas that I want.

[colton62]

Serious question though. How can they monitor the interstate commerce? They can't inspect every package and have someone on duty that is familiar enough with snake species to be able to identify them. And for in state sales, are there permits and stuff needed to prove you are from the state? Like if I went to Texas as mentioned earlier and bought a burmese python. Do they have to check that I am from Texas?


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[alan12013]

I have so many problems with this... Regulation is one thing so people know what they are getting into but a ban?... When I was growing up the local petco was selling burms a lot which was a joke, I doubt any one knew what they were getting into when they saw all the cute small babies at the store but a ban is stupid and to include it on the Lacy act is worse. I wrote my comment to them finally and used some of the info provided here and some other things I found on my own. It took me a few days to calm down though before writing it.

[colton62]

I have so many problems with this... Regulation is one thing so people know what they are getting into but a ban?... When I was growing up the local petco was selling burms a lot which was a joke, I doubt any one knew what they were getting into when they saw all the cute small babies at the store but a ban is stupid and to include it on the Lacy act is worse. I wrote my comment to them finally and used some of the info provided here and some other things I found on my own. It took me a few days to calm down though before writing it.

I agree. Maybe they should put into effect some sort of system where you have to be licensed to some degree in order to purchase and own them, to stop people from buying large pythons without prior knowledge on growth and potential size.


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[Bluebonnet Herp]

Serious question though. How can they monitor the interstate commerce? They can't inspect every package and have someone on duty that is familiar enough with snake species to be able to identify them. And for in state sales, are there permits and stuff needed to prove you are from the state? Like if I went to Texas as mentioned earlier and bought a burmese python. Do they have to check that I am from Texas?


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Texas actually has a licensing system for Burms and other giants which I am perfectly okay with. (Nothing wrong with a $20 ownership permit which you can just buy or renew at the local Walmart.) This aside, you don't need the permit to even buy the snake unless the seller decides to require it, as even a receipt acts as a temporary permit.
Anyway, I agree with your post as it brings up a perfectly valid point.
Personally, I might put off my plans for a new pair of Macklot's pythons to have a chance at nabbing my first Boa constrictor or a pair before it's too late. Which is a shame. This fear alone is already stabbing the market.
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I agree. Maybe they should put into effect some sort of system where you have to be licensed to some degree in order to purchase and own them, to stop people from buying large pythons without prior knowledge on growth and potential size.


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As I previously stated, I personally think Texas' permit system is perfect. It's there, but not impossible to obtain by any means, which is great.

[reptileexperts]

Serious question though. How can they monitor the interstate commerce? They can't inspect every package and have someone on duty that is familiar enough with snake species to be able to identify them. And for in state sales, are there permits and stuff needed to prove you are from the state? Like if I went to Texas as mentioned earlier and bought a burmese python. Do they have to check that I am from Texas?


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Yep you have to have a Texas address for the breeder to file. Once you've provided that it's on you to follow the law.

[ispitroseas]

I can totally understand getting permits to stop irresponsible ownership, but it floors me how ignorant a lot of these anti-snake people are. Shortly after I got my boa I was linked to an article about how large constrictors will kill you, your children, then take over the world. To my knowledge a lot more people die from dog attacks...