Cat eating lizards invading Florida.....

[alucard0822]

I just find it amusing how all these articles go on and on about large carnivorous reptiles as though Florida didn't already have a native alligator population. Obviously different, but a giant reptile capable of eating your children and pets isn't exactly new to Florida.

I'm starting to wonder if maybe certain legislation is needed not to stop people from owning exotics in Florida, but to ensure that the wrong sort of people don't get a hold of them. I think everyone can agree that responsible owners don't release their pets into the wild, and it's certainly irresponsible owners causing a headache for the rest of us. Still, people buy animals like Nile monitors not realizing the kind of care that they require (a huge custom enclosure and a staggering feeding bill) and somehow come to the conclusion that releasing it is the best option.

Thing is there are already laws against releasing animals into the wild, although really not many cases of enforcement to show for them, or reputable statistics for intentional releases, mostly just urban legends or anecdotes, bass fishermen catching piranhas, alligators in sewers, cobras coming out of toilets etc. The most credible source of invasive reptiles in the everglades (burms) was a research facility destroyed by Hurricane Andrew, along with plenty of other breeders and shops. IMO if you look to government to regulate who can or can't have a reptile, it will end in disaster for the law abiding hobby, expand the large reptile black and greymarket, and probably a new way to rip us off for the government, the recent abusive expansion of the Lacy act is a perfect example.

Probably best thing we can do, while growing our hobby instead of endangering it is to help out local herp rescue organizations. If they are well funded, and new owners are aware of them, they can be critical to preventing animals from being abused, killed, released, or any number of other irresponsible things pet owners do, and can be a good source of animals for experienced keepers that are equipped to care for them.