firstly, PLEASE do not interpret this as any kind of flame or attack; i am only trying to better my understanding of the issue and how it relates to tortoises.

it cannot be argued that irresponsible ex-owners of large species of snakes have caused a situation where they are loose and destroying wildlife in florida. (the same is true of iguanas, and of domestic dogs and cats as well, but that's another issue).

however, i don't think that tortoises (or even most, if any, turtles) would fall under the restrictions of being injurious species because, for one thing, they are not aggressive (do you ever hear of small children or pets being eaten by sulcatas gone bad?) and, secondly, are not known to have feral populations (not being turned out in nearly the same numbers, and not being adapted to live in the affected wetlands anyway).

as far as the financial impact on the reptile trade goes, i can't argue with that reasoning. i just think it might be a bit much to speculate that they are "coming for our tortoises..." but again i'm very interested in hearing more explanation form this point of view.

"i'll give you my tortoise when you take her from my cold dead hands!"

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