The Proposed python ban S373 was introduces by Senator Bill Nelson a Democrat from Florida. He is proposing the constrictor snake of the species Python Genera be put on the Lacy act. The Lacy act would prohibit Pythons from being imported, exported, and state line trade.

Now my thoughts on this subject. Nothing against you larger python owners. However I completely agree that Burmese, Rock, and reticulated pythons should be banned. I have nothing against larger snakes but I feel the average herp keeper can not care or have the room for such a large powerful snake. They are so powerful you really need a very secure enclosure and more than one person to handle them.

These Larger Pythons especially Burmese pythons seem to be the center of attention when it comes to these proposals and bans. The problems in the everglades of Florida and the cases of children being attacked. Also these larger Burmese are quit low in cost. Just 5 years ago I could go to the pet store with no education on the snake and 50 bucks in my pocket and walk out with a little 18” Burmese python. Little did these uneducated people know they were picking up a snake that in 2 years was reaching 8 to 10 feet. Then it got to the point they didn’t know what to do with such a large snake. We as herp enthusiast need to educate our selves before purchasing these wonderful reptiles. That being said I fully agree with the banning of Burmese, Rock and reticulated pythons.

You can call me biased because I own Ball Pythons. However I do not agree that the species python as a whole should be put in the ban or wind up on the lacy act. Our economy is struggling right now everyone knows that the herp community as a whole employs thousands of people and brings in significant revenue. While not all revenue is from ball pythons a very large percent is. Ball pythons have always been recognized as a good starter pet for any educated herp enthusiast. There small size and for the most part docile disposition has been there trademark for years. They are a shy python that would prefer to ball up then strike out of fear.

The breeding of ball pythons have brought us many beautiful morphs that we have all grow to appreciate and love. Ball pythons are enjoyed by many herp keepers and gives us the canvas to many of our ideas they are a form of art work through there beauty. We must keep breeding them in captivity to keep them from being imported from wild at a higher rate. Many of the worlds largest Ball python breeders call the US home and with them being banned we could see the number of Wild Ball pythons declining do to the demand to the rest of the world were in most cases don’t have a ban on pythons.

Ball pythons are enjoyed by a huge percent of the herp community and now they want to rid us of them. Ball pythons have earned a name for themselves because of there size and great disposition. Now they want to throw them in the same group with Burmese and other larger pythons. What happened to the little girl in Florida is tragic. At the same time though you can’t blame the snake. The owner of the snake is responsible for maintaining, caring for and making sure this large python is properly enclosed. He didn’t even have a permit to own the snake in the first place so they want to punish us for one uneducated guy not fallowing the law.

We as herp owners have to respect what these reptiles are capable of. These large snakes are not getting loose then killing for the thrill of it. They are a predator this is what they know how they survive. They seek out prey, constrict then consume.

In my opinion there is so much out there that is way more harmful to me than my snakes. Take this in consideration I’m guessing that half the US population owns a pet dog. Do me a favor Google snake attacks resulting in death you will find the same few stories over and over. Yes tragic but it has happened and it unfortunate there are irresponsible owners out there. Now Google dog attacks resulting in death and the list is endless you can read all day about dogs that have killed children. I read one story about a 3 month old lab puppy that killed a baby. A PUPPY! However we are not hearing people trying to ban us from owning dogs.

The herp industry is being frowned upon by uneducated people who don’t understand or care to understand these amazing animals. We need to ban together and fight this off. Stay out of the headlines, be responsible for what you own. Respect these animals and understand what they can be capable of.

In closing I would like to say this is my hobby I have grown to love more and more each day. It is unfortunate it seems we have to fight on a daily basis to continue to enjoy our hobby our passion. When this bill goes away if it does there will be another right behind it and we will have to stand together again. I enjoy the snakes I have and this is my passion, who I am and I will stand by that tell the day I die as would anyone in there own hobby they have a passion for. We just have to fight to enjoy ours they don’t. Fighting for what we love makes us stronger as a communities . The Herp communities voice will be heard but not without your help.

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