Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Dogs bite harder, run faster, and are usually bigger than almost any herp. Cats are widespread in breeding colonies, kill lots of native wildlife, can live in areas that freeze, and are excellent escape artists. All mammals (including hampsters, cats, dogs, rats, and other commonly kept pets) can carry rabies which can be passed onto humans.
A monitor is only dangerous if cornered. A rabid dog can chase you down. A snake is very slow and 99.999 (my estimation) % of the time would not even consider a human as food. Large mammals may se us as food or a rival for territory (and try to do something about it, other that run away like an iguana or a monitor).
Probably the most dangerous herp in the wilds of florida is the native american alligator (or maybe the crocodile). And anyone who lives here (and is not an ignorant fool) knows that you have to be doing something that obviously involves the risk of getting attacke by one in order to get attacked by one (swimming in lakes, jumping on an alligator). And though non-native herps can impact native wildlife, I don't think it even compares to the impact that feral pigs, cats, dogs, and whatever other mammals are out here have on native wildlife (both flora and fauna).
I wish that people and politicians would consider this more often, especially when it comes to legislation on herps.

a jogger was killed yesturday by a gator down there, but I still have to disagree. I would rank some snakes (mostly rattlesnakes) as high as a gator threat wise. I also think we can do as much to hurt the cause as anything else. Stupid feeding errors and being tagged by your own 'pet' get much more press than most any other animal encounters. There was a story about a burmese in California that attacked a rat terrier. The dog was off its leash (against the law there) and in the snake's owner's yard. The dog died the next day from either the constriction or from its own owner beating it and the snake with a golf club to get the dog free. Dog owner sued and got $1200. The article told the dog's name and how it had been a ring barer at its owner's wedding. As for the snake, it said it was an 11ft burmese python... Scales will never be as loved as fur... Look at it as descrimination. Mammels (us) are more drawn to mammels...
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Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Rescued Ball Python - Apep
0-0-1 Rescued Bearded Dragon - Zeus
0-0-1 Rescued Non-Alpha Green Iguana - Bud
1-2-0 Rescued Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet, Isis
0-0-1 Rescued Fit and Trim Panda Hamster - Mr. Fluffy
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

I'm with you on that. I am a mammal person and a reptile person. I don't really let people know about my herps and critters because I know that once word gets out that "oh this guy has animals" everybody will be on my ass. The average retard of the neighborhood will think "oh this iguana is going to attack me" or "oh this raccoon has rabies and will bite me". I love animals. I always have and I always will. Our right to keep animals shouldn't be taken away!
Drew

I do not like most politicians and agree that most reptiles are not nearly as dangerous as dogs.

Hi,
Are you saying that out of all the venomous species in the United States, dogs are more dangerous?
Drew

Well you could be like that and say he was including all venamous snakes. But he said most reptiles. And since we are talking about common pet reptiles and iguanas particularly, this was a rediculous comment. Nice going, I wish I was able say something like that withgout feeling like I an idiot.