snowgyre
New Member
- Messages
- 588
- Location
- Athens, GA
I'd like someone to clarify the following statements please:
I'm going to play devil's advocate here.
I think Incredible Pets is sensationalizing this potential legislation too much. While a lot of you are angry, going into panic mode is counterproductive in almost every way.
How would this legislation ban Daytona? This proposed legislation only focuses on exotic large snakes, mainly Burmese Pythons. I doubt this legislation would have much of an impact at all on Daytona, other than certain big snake species (ie. green anacondas, big venomids like cobras, burmese pythons, etc.) wouldn't be able to be sold. I will admit that this legislation would likely extend to large Varanids and lizards as well after a while, as the Everglades does have an established population of Nile monitors, tegus, and several species of iguanas.
While it is understandable that breeders have pride in their businesses, considering the government just approved of a massive spending bill, I honestly don't think limiting the trade of big snakes in Florida is going to be a huge dent in an economy, local, national, or otherwise. Will some breeders lose money? Maybe, but considering most of the exotic reptiles potential legislation will target are large animals that are owned by a minority (admit it folks, it's a minority) of people.
If you're going to pick your fights, please be rational about it. The people who are proposing this legislation are not your enemy, they're wildlife biologists, scientists, and Federal Fish and Wildlife people who are being paid BY you to maintain the natural environment FOR you. Big snakes and lizards are doing tremendous damage in Florida and are most decidely not part of the natural environment. The last National Wildlife Society meeting was held in Miami back in November, and there was a whole day dedicated to the exotic animal problems Florida is facing.
You all are very right in that any legislation must strive to target the irresponsible individuals who are releasing animals into the wild. I doubt anyone in this forum would be so irresponsible, but at the same time I feel that those of us who are responsible breeders live with blinders on because we're not exposed to the ignorant general public as much.
How many of you have gone to a pet shop and seen a burmese python for sale for less than $100? I have. The people who are buying these snakes and big animals generally have no idea what they're getting into, and unfortunately you can't exactly flush a 6 foot long Nile monitor down your toilet like you can an unwanted goldfish (many lakes and rivers now have exotic goldfish in them now too, by the way).
If you want to fight this legislation that is great. In fact, I encourage it. The US Fish and Wildlife Service, Congress, the Senate, and even Mr. President himself has to listen to public comments about any proposed law. If you write them, please inform them that not all pythons and boas are dangerous, and that a sweeping ban is not necessary. Ball pythons and boa constrictors are the only two species I see breeders in Florida having real trouble with, because these two species have wild breeding populations now. Pick your fight, and fight for those two. The economic argument for those is strong, especially with the high end morphs.
Breeders, please be responsible with who you sell your animals to. I realize business is business, but when you're selling surplus offspring to X chain store I can almost guarantee you that those animals are not going to live long lives.
Here's a brainstorming session for everyone. How would people feel if, perhaps, pet stores in Florida are no longer allowed to display or sell reptiles that could cause problems, but have to stick with species that wouldn't cause damage if released? There are plenty of corn snakes, kingsnakes, smaller boas, etc. that are perfectly fine for the pet shops and are a better pet for beginners than big stuff anyway. That way the only way people in Florida could get reptiles that could cause problems would be directly from breeders, which means they'd have to do research to begin with? Maybe it would be a first step to end impulsive reptile purchases?
I'm going to play devil's advocate here.
I think Incredible Pets is sensationalizing this potential legislation too much. While a lot of you are angry, going into panic mode is counterproductive in almost every way.
How would this legislation ban Daytona? This proposed legislation only focuses on exotic large snakes, mainly Burmese Pythons. I doubt this legislation would have much of an impact at all on Daytona, other than certain big snake species (ie. green anacondas, big venomids like cobras, burmese pythons, etc.) wouldn't be able to be sold. I will admit that this legislation would likely extend to large Varanids and lizards as well after a while, as the Everglades does have an established population of Nile monitors, tegus, and several species of iguanas.
While it is understandable that breeders have pride in their businesses, considering the government just approved of a massive spending bill, I honestly don't think limiting the trade of big snakes in Florida is going to be a huge dent in an economy, local, national, or otherwise. Will some breeders lose money? Maybe, but considering most of the exotic reptiles potential legislation will target are large animals that are owned by a minority (admit it folks, it's a minority) of people.
If you're going to pick your fights, please be rational about it. The people who are proposing this legislation are not your enemy, they're wildlife biologists, scientists, and Federal Fish and Wildlife people who are being paid BY you to maintain the natural environment FOR you. Big snakes and lizards are doing tremendous damage in Florida and are most decidely not part of the natural environment. The last National Wildlife Society meeting was held in Miami back in November, and there was a whole day dedicated to the exotic animal problems Florida is facing.
You all are very right in that any legislation must strive to target the irresponsible individuals who are releasing animals into the wild. I doubt anyone in this forum would be so irresponsible, but at the same time I feel that those of us who are responsible breeders live with blinders on because we're not exposed to the ignorant general public as much.
How many of you have gone to a pet shop and seen a burmese python for sale for less than $100? I have. The people who are buying these snakes and big animals generally have no idea what they're getting into, and unfortunately you can't exactly flush a 6 foot long Nile monitor down your toilet like you can an unwanted goldfish (many lakes and rivers now have exotic goldfish in them now too, by the way).
If you want to fight this legislation that is great. In fact, I encourage it. The US Fish and Wildlife Service, Congress, the Senate, and even Mr. President himself has to listen to public comments about any proposed law. If you write them, please inform them that not all pythons and boas are dangerous, and that a sweeping ban is not necessary. Ball pythons and boa constrictors are the only two species I see breeders in Florida having real trouble with, because these two species have wild breeding populations now. Pick your fight, and fight for those two. The economic argument for those is strong, especially with the high end morphs.
Breeders, please be responsible with who you sell your animals to. I realize business is business, but when you're selling surplus offspring to X chain store I can almost guarantee you that those animals are not going to live long lives.
Here's a brainstorming session for everyone. How would people feel if, perhaps, pet stores in Florida are no longer allowed to display or sell reptiles that could cause problems, but have to stick with species that wouldn't cause damage if released? There are plenty of corn snakes, kingsnakes, smaller boas, etc. that are perfectly fine for the pet shops and are a better pet for beginners than big stuff anyway. That way the only way people in Florida could get reptiles that could cause problems would be directly from breeders, which means they'd have to do research to begin with? Maybe it would be a first step to end impulsive reptile purchases?
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