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

[Kesslers Kreatures]

i posted on that site where you can leave comments. I dont want this to happen!

[SiscoReptiles]

The summary is poorly written. They do not clearly state if they are inquiring about "ALL" Python, Boa and Eunectes genera as everyone is assuming or if they are inquiring about larger species. Don't get me wrong, I am against any federal level restrictions. If anything, restrictions should be done state by state. Name one species of constrictor that would cause an enviromental impact in Maine?

Keep on guard, but keep in mind that this is "inquiry" for information, they have not even proposed a ban yet.

Rick

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or We), are reviewing available biological and economic information on constrictor snakes in the Python, Boa and Eunectes genera for possible addition to the list of injurious wildlife under the Lacey Act.

[bait4snake]

I left them this comment
---------------------------------

Since 2002 I have been collecting and breeding some of the rarest and most beautiful python species on the planet. I have invested a lot of disposable income and countless hours of effort maintaining my breeding colony. It is not only a hobby but a passion and hopefully a small business in the very near future. It is what I have been planning on to supplement my wife's income so I can keep working at my full time job and she can raise our children the right way. If I succeed, this would also mean another small business the federal and state government would enjoy collecting taxes from.

If banning the importation and interstate sale of pythons and boas is established, all my years of effort will be for nothing. On a side note, but nonetheless important, how is enacting this ban a legitimate role of government? It protects nobody, and will only drive this trade into the black market. We people who are deeply into this business/hobby take great care of our animals, and try our best to make sure they end up in the most responsible of hands. True, there may be some who relinquish their responsibilities and not care for their animals properly, but they are the minority, and should be punished for their actions. That's the legitimate role of our government: that we have the freedom to be responsible in our trade, and if we commit any crimes of abuse or neglect, we should be punished.

But to blanketly punish us all for crimes we never commited and ban a completely lawfull industry and market is the exact opposite of freedom.

Those who would pass such laws and ordinances most likely have never had the privelege of spending a year feeding and cleaning up after a beloved animal, then introduce them to a mate, to wait months for them to lay their eggs, to then wait a few more months incubating those precious eggs, and finally to watch as those tiny babies pip their little noses out of those eggs and you realize you were responsible for creating those little lives. Then you see that rare genetic color mutation you've been hoping to reproduce and outbreed, or you see that endangered species hatch out of 8 more eggs! This is what it means to us.

We have done more for these species than any naturalist or environmentalist. Our passion and the free market has saved these animals from extinction. The Indian Python is hugely popular, as is the Dumeril's Boa... both on the endangered species list, and both are bred for love and for business, to sell to others who have that same love and business aspirations.

Our trade is the only hope for a lot of these animals that would otherwise be hunted to extinction or left to the ravages of jungles or human encroachment. Our business aspirations and love for these animals make others appreciate them and influence them to be a part of it. The look in children's eyes who see not only their first python, but a genetic mutation that makes them half white leaves children and adults alike in awe, and it keeps this whole thing going.

Please, take everything I have written into consideration. This is important to a LOT of people, so let the people be the ones to decide this industry's fate.

Thank you for your time.

[Shelby]

Alrighty.. I've thought about it a few days.. here is my letter. Feel free to base your letter off it (I based mine off one posted above.. but I changed it considerably) and offer suggestions if you see any problems:

To Whom It May Concern,
It has come to my attention that the USFW is proposing adding
snakes of the genera Python, Eunectes, and Boa to the list of
injurious species under the Lacey Act. This will affect the
interstate commerce and importation of many common pet
species. This addition is not needed, and would essentially halt
the business of captive reptile breeding. This would not help the
economy; the reptile business is big, and growing daily.

The idea of protecting our wild ecosystems is noble, however the
proposed legislation will not help in this case, and could actually
harm it.

The animals in question all come from tropical areas of the world.
They can not survive freezing temperatures. In fact, one of the
greatest expenses in keeping these animals is the heating. I keep
seven of the species of the genera concerned. All of them are
kept at a constant 80-90 temperature gradient. The only time
they are cooler is when they are breeding, but they never go
below 65 degrees as this is dangerous for them.
These species simply could not establish themselves in the wild in
the US, except for one portion of one state: The Florida
Everglades.

All states already have laws that prohibit the release of
non-native animals into the wild. Florida has just instated a permit
system involving the burmese python (Python molorus bivittatus)
and several other species. This addresses this problem directly.
Additional legislation is not needed, and again--would cripple the
multi-million dollar reptile business as well as endanger the jobs of
many; not only reptile breeders, but breeders of feeder rodents,
equipment suppliers and pet stores that sell reptiles and reptile
supplies.

The captive breeding of these species is not only a valuable
business, it protects the species. Keeping these animals fosters a
deep appreciation for wildlife in general. We want to see these
animals thrive not only in captivity, but in their native habitat. In
fact, if it weren't for private captive breeding, the Hog Island boa,
and the Cay Caulker's boa may very well be extinct. The Hog
Island boa IS considered extinct in its native habitat... but these
small boa constrictors are a popular pet and there are thousands
in private hands. They are not particularly impressive animals, so
zoos do not often keep them or breed them. If it weren't for the
captive breeding business.. these species may have been no
more.

If this were to be enacted, thousands of captive reptiles would
become effectively worthless. Professional breeders will find it
difficult, if not impossible to sell their stock within their state.
Many of the larger breeders even export their animals to other
countries. It is not hard to imagine some people releasing their
animals to cope with the problem. In areas other than southern
Florida, this would not impact the wildlife, but do we really want
to deal with the possibility of an influx of released snakes into the
Everglades area? This is the exact thing we are trying to avoid.
Let Florida take care of it--as they already have begun to.

Most of the species in question here do not even exceed 2 meters
in length. These animals are not dangerous to humans, and are
exceedingly popular pets. One of the most popular is the ball
python (Python regius) of Africa. It rarely exceeds 4' and there
are many color and pattern morphs (varieties different from the
normal wild-type animal) that sell for multiple thousands of dollars.
Some even carried a price tag of $100,000. Again, this is big
business. Do you want to force it underground with this
legislation? I'm afraid it would be inevitable.

I personally maintain a collection of 39 snakes. I have spent well
over 10,000 on my collection (I'm 20 years old, so that is a lot of
money for me!) and I plan to turn it into a small business. This
legislation would not solve the problem it is intended to address,
and it would make many people lose their jobs--and not allow
them to pursue their passion for these beautiful animals. Again, let
Florida take care of it. Federal legislation is not needed and would
do more harm than good.

Thank you for your time,
April Curtis

[elevatethis]

You guys might find this interesting...

http://forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=1471997,1471997

[Freakie_frog]

You guys might find this interesting...

http://forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=1471997,1471997

Ok now that is intresting

[elevatethis]

Its an exploratory thing...

To me its like talking about banning dolphins in Kansas...they are basically exploring the possibility of each species and its ability to affect native habitats. A lot of people out there are just ignorant to reptiles and as a result, we have issues like this come up.

I personally feel that the states all should have a right to make their own decisions based on their own situations. Local problems should be dealt with at a local level - not federally.

We can all think of one area that is basically ruining it for the rest of us - FLO-RIDA.

[Gurgie]

perhaps its been asked before, and I apologize if it has, but where does that leave those of us who own said snakes? are we going to get in trouble if they catch us with one?

[Jay_Bunny]

This is not a ban on the KEEPING of the snakes, but a ban on importing and exporting of the snakes. Meaning, you can't import them from overseas and you can't ship them over state lines.

[rm1888]

Too Many Rules in the good ol us of a.