Kiss your hobby goodbye!!!! USFW Proposed ban!!!!

[JeffFlanagan]

You can submit your comment here.

My comment:
Regarding the proposed snake ban,

I think that we should be aware of the broad variety of snakes that would fall
under the current description. The large snakes can be extremely dangerous, and
I can understand an interest in regulating them to keep them out of the hands of
inexperienced keepers.

On the other hand, small snakes like Ball Pythons, some Carpet Pythons, and Boas
make wonderful pets and are less dangerous than a kitten. They require specific
conditions to survive, making wild populations impossible in most of the United
States, and are only a danger to the small rodents we consider pests.

I'm a Ball Python hobbyist, and plan to grow my hobby of breeding beautiful
snakes into a business I can fully focus on when I reach retirement age. I
ask that you not crush this dream.

Thank you for considering my input,

Jeff Flanagan

[Wh00h0069]

You can submit your comment here.

Everyone please post your comments.

This is my comment that I posted on the web site posted above.

To Whom It May Concern:

Regarding the Injurious Wildlife Species; Review of Information Concerning Constrictor Snakes From Python, Boa, and Eunectes genera. I own 30 ball python (python regius), and 3 boa constrictors (Boa Constrictor Imperator). My collection includes morphs, which are worth more than normal appearing snakes.

I have invested approximately $10,000, into my collection. I plan on breeding and selling the babies to other hobbyist/ breeders. I plan on selling them via reptile shows, and over the internet. I am in the process of getting certified to ship via FEDEX and Delta. I will only ship within the United States.

Ball pythons and boa constrictors are non-venomous. They are not dangerous to humans. Ball pythons normally do not grow longer than 4-5 feet. Boa constrictors normally do not grow longer than 7-8 feet. I am an experienced keeper and have never had an issue with my snakes escaping. I have spent a lot of money on specialty caging, which makes it impossible for the snakes to escape.

Ball pythons and boa constrictors need heat to survive. If they were to escape, or if an irresponsible keeper were to let them go in the wild, they would not survive the winters of most states.

If this ban were to be put in place, my business would not survive. I would also be extremely upset, because my snakes are my pets. I ask that this ban is reconsidered.

Thank you very much for your time, and consideration.

Eddie Strong, Jr.

[Ophiuchus]

This is what I have so far:

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I am writing in response to the proposed bill by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife to prohibit importation/ownership of all genera of Boa, Python and Eunectes.

I am deeply concerned with the impact that this bill will have on the community of people who keep and breed reptiles as a hobby. The vast majority of the species covered in the bill pose little threat to everyday life, certainly not more than owning a cat or a dog. I understand this bill is a response to the recent invasion of large python species infiltrating south Florida, but why not concentrate on the regulation of those select few species instead of outright banning all members of Boidae, most of which rarely exceed 5 feet long? After all, that is what the state of Florida has done already with the following species: Burmese python, African rock python, reticulated python, and green anacondas. The bill that the U.S.F.W. is proposing that is against all pythons and boas is the equivalent of banning the ownership of all dogs based on pitbulls used on dogfighting.

This bill, while good in its intentions, will end up devastating the lives of many hobbyists who keep those smaller species. I, for one, own a ball python, a commonly kept species that rarely even reaches a length of five feet and poses no greater threat to human life than a toy poodle. I have had this snake for nearly 15 years, longer than any other pet I've owned. I couldn't bear to give him up, but if this bill is passed, I fear I will be forced to do so.

I hope that the powers that be reconsider this bill and what it really means for the reptile industry.
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Any feedback would be welcome.

[MelissaFlipski]

You can submit your comment here.

My comment:
Regarding the proposed snake ban,

I think that we should be aware of the broad variety of snakes that would fall under the current description. The large snakes can be extremely dangerous, and I can understand an interest in regulating them to keep them out of the hands of inexperienced keepers.

On the other hand, small snakes like Ball Pythons, some Carpet Pythons, and Boas make wonderful pets and are less dangerous than a kitten. They require specific conditions to survive, making wild populations impossible in most of the United States, and are only a danger to the small rodents we consider pests.

I'm a Ball Python hobbyist, and plan to grow my hobby of breeding beautiful snakes into a business I can fully focus on when I reach retirement age. I ask that you not crush this dream.

Thank you for considering my input,

Jeff Flanagan

Thank you, Jeff. I hope you don't mind that I used your comment as the draft for my own.

All, here is the link where you can post your comments:
http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspubli...000064803a565f

And here is what I submitted:

"Regarding the proposed snake ban,

I think that we should be aware of the broad variety of snakes that would fall under the current descriptions. Some giant snakes (such as Burnese Pythons, Reticulated Pythons, and Green Anacondas) can be dangerous, and I can understand an interest in regulating them to keep them out of the hands of inexperienced keepers.

On the other hand, small snakes like Ball Pythons, Carpet Pythons, and Boas make wonderful pets and can be less dangerous than a dog or cat, especially with proper handling techniques and adult supervision. They require specific conditions to survive, such as tropical forests, making wild populations impossible in most of the United States, and are only a danger to the small rodents we consider pests.

I'm a pet snake hobbyist. We have four pet snakes - a Ball Python, a Jungle Carpet Python, a Kenyan Sand Boa, and a Rosy Boa (which is native to the SW United States). Our family got started with the Ball Python as a juvenile for my oldest son's 6th birthday. She and the two boas are the most docile pets we have ever owned. The Jungle Carpet Python is becoming more and more tame with careful adult handling, although even when this one bites, it is the equivalent of a pin prick or two and nothing more. We enjoy watching, caring for, and handling all of our snakes. It brings us great pleasure as small-time hobbyists.

We can't imagine snakes such as these being restricted or regulated. It would interfere with others' chances to enjoy this hobby as much as we do.

Please consider which specific species are a danger and which are not. It is imperative that you do not restrict harmless reptile species out of ignorance.

Thank you for considering my input,
Melissa J. Kowalski"