I sent a comment that although I thought more regulation of invasive and potentially invasive exotic animals is warrented, the specific proposal might be taking it a little far.

I'll point out that I don't consider myself part of the 'business.'I'm a hobbyist who hasn't actually purchased a snake for a while and am not sure if I ever will again (if I do it'll likely be from another small-time hobbyist), particularly because of my discomfort with the business. I suppose business ad fees pay for this forum, but I guess I could live without it if it went away. I used to buy from breeders and breed some myself, but lately I've been adopting snakes from rescues (since the business over-produces - if anyone wants a burmese, a ball python, etc., I can point you to some good rescues) and playing with the occasional snake I catch (hence my participation on this forum).

Of course there are some well-intentioned and careful breeders out there who make a living (I think of South Mountain Reptiles as an example, and Dan Scolaro just might convince me to buy something in the future) at it, but the business has given us the disaster of invasive Burmese (Nile monitors soon enough too) in South Florida and the invasive RES in my back yard, and as a field herper I find that very disturbing. I also see all the iguanas, pythons, sulcattas, and RES mistreated or that people have to give up because they bought them not understanding the commitment required.

Florida and the feds are trying to come up with solutions to some serious environmental problems that cost a lot to even try to clean up. They're a little clumsy about it, but I support the overall process even if I disagree with some of the specific proposed steps.

Billy

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Phillyherping

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