I still say if it was possible, there would be a large number of boa constrictors in TX by now. Not just from natural distribution of native wild animals over time, but also from released pets. Boa constrictors are the most common of the "big nine" in the pet trade IMO, and I've seen a lot of idiots that owned them - I'm not saying that boa owners are idiots, just that lots of the ones I've met are. I know a lot of good snake keepers and breeders, but you're average person walking into a pet store to buy a boa? Not so good - and that's who's more likely to let a snake get loose or let it go. Just going by personal observation.

Plus, Steph, have you read the whole USGS report? It's not science IMO (and I have a BS in biology and work in biotech). The January Bulletin of the Chigaco Herp Society had an interesting article on it.

Katrina

>>Hey Katrina,
>>
>>Point taken, but I for one won't assume that these snakes can't or won't adapt.
>>
>>While it's certainly useful to base opinions on existing information, there are other considerations at work, not the least of which is the extensive man-made environment in this country that exotics can utilize to their advantage.
>>
>>While large constrictors may thrive in comparatively narrow range of circumstances in their natural habitat, we have infrastructure here that may well provide them with the means to survive and possibly even thrive here too.
>>
>>Be skeptical but open to discovery.

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