Please give some thought to your comment. Many of our people have said things along the lines of "please don't take my snake, he's a good snake". Its important to mention question the ability of pythons and boas to live in temperate climates. The natural range of Boa constrictor comes to within 100 miles of the southern US border. Why didn't they go all the way to Colorado? They've certainly had enough time to make the move. Why haven't Burmese pythons moved into the subtropical and temperate areas adjacent to their current range? Why don't they already live in half of China? Many factors determine where animals live not just temperature.

Most of the data Rodda used when determining temperature tolerances of Burmese pythons was actually taken from the Indian Python in southern Pakistan. The Indian python is an endangered species and is not represented at all in the pet trade. Burmese pythons don't live in areas that freeze.

Rodda told me that Burmese pythons will hibernate in cold climates. He has no data to support this position. In temperate climates would the warm season be long enough for the snakes to complete their breeding cycle? Rodda claims the snakes could establish populations in places like Oklahoma and Virgina. If they survived the winter I doubt they could reproduce. He says they are "highly adaptable". What's the basis for this statement?

Read the comments. There are many people against us. There is a link from the front page of the Humane Society's website to the comment page. These people have flooded the system with their comments. Most of them think no one should keep a snake for a pet. They say captive snakes are mistreated and snakes deserve to be free! This has nothing to do with the information that USFWS is seeking but that didn't keep hundreds of their people from commenting.

Anyway, do what you can do. Do it today.

[ Hide Replies ]

• Did you do your part? Did YOU ? - boaphile, Wed Apr 30 14:59:58 2008
• RE: Did you do your part? Did YOU ? - bobclark, Wed Apr 30 16:24:15 2008
• RE: Did you do your part? Did YOU ? - dadspets, Wed Apr 30 19:27:24 2008
• RE: Did you do your part? Did YOU ? - HappyHillbilly, Wed Apr 30 22:01:59 2008
• RE: Did you do your part? Did YOU ? - laurarfl, Thu May 1 06:27:28 2008
• RE: Did you do your part? Did YOU ? - spatt02, Thu May 8 19:51:47 2008
• RE: Did you do your part? Did YOU ? - HappyHillbilly, Fri May 9 02:51:24 2008
• RE: Did you do your part? Did YOU ? - spatt02, Fri May 9 13:00:12 2008
• RE: Did you do your part? Did YOU ? - HappyHillbilly, Fri May 9 22:50:04 2008
• One more thing...... - HappyHillbilly, Fri May 9 23:26:55 2008