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

[Texas Dan]

I can see it now, illegal drug I mean snake trafficers. Instead of hidden compartments for drugs there will be hidden rack systems so breeders can sell their reptiles to out of staters. Instead of cops busting marijuans grow houses they will look at electric bills to determine who is using heat tape and radiator heaters. This sucks.

Lol, how do you think drug dealers make the drugs? Large lights and lots of water.

[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"

[Gloryhound]

Keep in mind this is a consensus and not a bill and most people who aren't into snakes as a hobby are not even going to hear about this so it gives us a pretty good chance of keeping our hobby safe. Just my opinion.

Things can turn around quick when a news (USA today) paper runs a front page article called "Pythons have us in their grasp" on 2-21-08. Then they use a bunch of hypotheticals to make people panic. I cancelled our subscription. When a paper writes a story that is based on possibilities and not fact, then puts it on the front page it makes me think they have an agenda and are not an unbiased news agency.

[_BoidFinatic_]

The other thing they're not looking into is the damage that the hurricanes have done, to allow this. They've released a multitude of species into the everglades that could establish themselves, including various species of primates, various mammal species, various species of monitors, elapids, various other Pythons including Reticulated Pythons, African Rock Pythons and rare species. The most common and notable though is the Burmese, due largely to their frequent occurrence of finds, as well as their noted feeding on large Floridian predators and mammals, and discoveries of clutches, juveniles, and younger animals (Noting they have established themselves and are thriving). All its doing though, is giving fuel to their fire. Really all we can do now is fight it

great post

[MelissaFlipski]

Things can turn around quick when a news (USA today) paper runs a front page article called "Pythons have us in their grasp" on 2-21-08. Then they use a bunch of hypotheticals to make people panic. I cancelled our subscription. When a paper writes a story that is based on possibilities and not fact, then puts it on the front page it makes me think they have an agenda and are not an unbiased news agency.

Good for you. Did you tell them why you canceled? Also, it's not an agenda, it's about drama, readership, and the media hype. It sells. But it's still no excuse of them to do that.

[cgrinter]

Here is an interesting article I just came across, I think it helps point out just how serious this problem could be. If they really did spread, even to a fraction of the map highlighted, they would have a serious effect on the environment and people.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0223111456.htm

[BMorrison]

FYI I think this is the 500th time something like this has been attempted and it's NEVER worked. They tried it in Arizona not long ago and it got shot down real quick. Once again it's a consensus which is open to the public and when the government sees how much money is pumped into a failing economy through the pet trade most notably the reptile trade is booming right now they will consider that as well. I'm not saying to not be weary or write in and voice your opinion because god knows I have but I think we'll all stand strong throughout the nation and keep our hobby safe. Think about it as it's an inconvenience to us to have to write letters or e-mails or sign petitions.. think about people who are truly busy.. they don't have time to put together information to support a reason for a ban. Most people could care less. You do have a few select uneducated people out there who are gung-ho about banning snakes as a whole but as long as the letters keep pouring in with fact based information instead of irrational fears... I'll leave the rest to you...

[jjspirko]

You know the two facts that are being ignored are

1. The burms in the Glades ain't going to migrate very far north. They won't make it to VA like some of those stupid maps say. There is nothing preventing them from going north in Asia and they don't. Why? Weather below freezing is FATAL to them.

2. It is not even people letting them go that created the problem in South Florida. That is one of the biggest lies since the false passing of the 16th amendment (for those that don't know it created the income tax). You see most of the burm population in South Florida has its' roots in Hurricane Andrew in 1992 when many burms were "freed" by houses being blown flat.

With Florida being a meca for importing reptiles many got away. After more then 15 years now a healthy breeding population has built up. There are more every year because of BREEDING not released animals. This is the same in Cozumel there are boas everywhere from 8 released in the 70s.

Even we in the community are wrong to blame "Irresponsible Keepers" for this issue. Sure some of that happens but the massive numbers set free by a natural disaster are the seeds of the Burm population in South Florida. You have to ask yourself this as well, why only Burms? Why are there not boas, retics and bloods all over the Glades if it is "Irresponsible Keepers". Could it be because Burms are perfectly adapted for the Everglades and therefore self supporting at this time? You bet it is.

[jjspirko]

Here is what I mean by they won't move north, this map is the natural range of the Burmese Python.



Notice the did not move into central China, Afghanistan, etc. They are not heading for Moscow, etc after tens of thousands of years with no real boundaries. Why? Climate!

The Burms in the Glades are bad for the Glades but they are not going to be "coming to an area near you" as Fox News reported just last week. There really needs to be some accountability in the fricken media.

[Austin Smith]

I read some of that article. Here's a quote from it

"Several endangered species,' he noted, 'have already been found in the snakes' stomachs".

The thing is, no one cares how the species got to be endangered in the first place. They are endangered because of habitat destruction, pollution, hunting etc., and thats all okay if its done by humans but the second a python decides to make a meal out of some endangered bird its an outrage. My point is no one cares about the endangered species until a big scary snake starts eating them.

Well thats my rant on the subject for today. Keep up the good fight everyone.

-Austin