I was floored when I saw that heading on banning boas and pythons. Here is the statement I submitted:

I do believe that wild populations of Burmese Pythons living in Florida is not a good thing. However, how is banning all boas and pythons going to solve this problem? I think it would be more reasonable to regulate the GIANT species of pythons in Florida, where the problem exists. If hobbyists or breeders in Florida want to keep those species, I don’t think obtaining a permit would be too much to ask. That may keep these snakes out of the hands of irresponsible owners, who may turn them loose. Although, at this point, with wild populations already existing, I don’t know if it will completely solve Florida’s problems. I just don’t see how banning these snakes, especially the smaller, harmless species, everywhere in the US, can possibly be considered a rational solution. The biggest problem I can see with any regulation, is how easy it would be for the government to quietly add additional species. Give and inch- take a mile. Regulation of truly dangerous species is one thing, but adding harmless species such as ball pythons, green tree pythons, and others, is other thing entirely.

As far as importation goes, the majority of imported reptiles do come into Florida from other countries. I personally am not a fan of importing large numbers of common species so that they can end up in pet stores, especially when they can be captive bred and born so easily. Do we really need to import thousands of normal ball pythons every year when there are tens of thousands being produced here in the US? Captive bred and born reptiles do so much better in captivity, and make much better pets, than imports. I do believe that small numbers of different species, especially rare ones, or rare color morphs, should be imported. That helps breeders maintain genetic diversity. Taking a few hundred individuals out of the wild will not affect wild populations.

Boas and Pythons represent a huge portion of the reptile industry. Everyone knows how valuable many of the ball python and boa constrictor morphs are. I consider myself only a mid-level breeder, and my collection is easily worth a half million dollars. I focus mainly on species that I feel make good pets, such as ball pythons. I produce nearly 1000 babies per year. If it becomes illegal for me to ship my offspring out of the state, I will be out of business. Ball pythons and other smaller species of boas and pythons pose no threat to human life whatsoever. How can it be justified to essentially kill that market. There is no sensible reason for it. I certainly can’t make a living only selling them in my own state, Wisconsin. If I want to stay in business, would I be forced to secretly ship them out of the state, essentially making me a criminal? Does anyone out there really think it is a crime to be a ball python breeder? If I go out of business, what am I supposed to do with my breeding stock? I can’t sell them because I would have to ship them out of state. That is if I could even find a buyer for them. If there is no longer a market for them, I would have a very difficult time selling them. I would be lucky to find people to take them for free. That would financially devastate me Or am I supposed to let my snakes go? Return them to the wild? That certainly doesn’t make sense and would be exactly what the government is trying to enact this law for in the first place. I certainly couldn’t afford to keep my large collection if I wasn’t making any money on it. It costs me tens of thousands of dollars per year to feed and maintain my collection. Would I even be able to feed them if there are no rodent breeders still in business? It also takes me 40-50 hours a week to care for my collection. If I had no income from them, I would have to find another career, which would take away all the time I have to care for my animals. Now, think of my situation and multiply it by the number of full-time breeders and part-time breeders in the US. There are thousands of us. Where are all those snakes supposed to go? This law would greatly impact the economy. What about all those rodent breeders selling to reptile breeders? What about cage and equipment manufacturers? What about retail pet stores? We are talking about billions of dollars here. I know the reptile industry is small compared to some other industries, but it is still important, especially to those of us in the industry.

If there is ever a time for every single hobbyist, breeders, wholesaler, or retailer to act, it is now. Once a law is in place, there won’t be much we can do. Every single one of us must voice our concerns and opinions in an intelligent, proper manner. I don’t think the government realizes how educated, intelligent, and motivated the members of the reptile community really are. Please find your voice and speak up against this, or our hobby, our industry, and in some cases, or livelihood, will never be the same.

Garrick DeMeyer
Royal Constrictor Designs

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