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MIAMI HERALD (Florida) 18 April 07 Rules put squeeze on snake owners - In an attempt to fight proliferation of Burmese pythons in the Everglades, the Legislature and wildlife officers are placing new rules on some reptile owners. (Stephanie Garry)
Tallahassee: If you've ever had an urge to buy a giant constricting snake -- resist. The state soon could charge you $100 a year for it.
Bills moving quickly through the Legislature would require the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to mandate permits and fees from owners of certain reptiles. It's part of a joint effort between the Legislature and the commission to increase the state's power to keep tabs on snakes such as Burmese pythons, which have invaded the Everglades by the thousands and are preying on native wildlife.
Under the bills, owners of large pythons, green anacondas and Nile monitor lizards would have to get permits, inspections and pay the state $100 a year. According to a new wildlife commission rule that goes into effect in 2008, ''reptiles of concern'' must have a microchip implanted under the skin so wildlife officers can match pet and owner if the animals are lost or let loose.
''We still can be in business. We can still have these animals,'' said Eugene Bessette, a snake farmer in North Central Florida who serves on a wildlife commission council. ``It's just going to cost you.''
The commission voted in February to create a new category of state-watched reptiles that aren't poisonous, but are considered a threat -- either to the public, the environment or both.
Skip Snow, a wildlife biologist in Everglades National Park, said 170 pythons were captured in the Everglades last year, but that's just a sliver of a population that has thrived without predators. Tourists have seen at least two fights between Burmese pythons and alligators.
''Nobody scares a full-grown python -- nobody,'' said bill sponsor Sen. Bill Posey, R-Rockledge. ``Not an alligator, nobody.''
The problem, the sponsors say, is irresponsible pet owners. People buy cute baby pythons when they're about a foot long. But when the pets grow to 20 feet and start to handle the owners, they are released into the River of Grass.
''It's mind-boggling that someone would call something a pet when it can eat you,'' said Rep. Ralph Poppell, a Vero Beach Republican. ``You don't want to be part of the food chain.''
The legislation, which is headed to the Senate floor and has one more stop in the House, would also allow owners to be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor and a $750 minimum fine if they let a snake slither to freedom. To exhibit the animals, such as in schools or zoos, owners would have to buy a $10,000 bond.
The wildlife commission plans to launch a campaign after the legislative session to make sure owners of the estimated 3,000 to 6,000 newly regulated reptiles know about the rules. State officials hope the requirements will give snake lovers pause before committing to a constrictor.
''We're not telling you that you can't have it,'' Poppell said, though he added, ``That could be down the road if people aren't responsible.''
Snow, the Everglades biologist, said he can't even think about eliminating the python population until the dumped-pet supply dries up. And he's troubled by snakes that have been found farther away from their swampy home.
''We're concerned that they're moving out of the South Glades,'' Snow said, adding that Florida's climate would allow Burmese pythons to live anywhere in the state. ``There's a lot of potential there for spreading.''
Reptile rules
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission rules will go into effect Jan. 1, regulating ownership of certain animals designated ''reptiles of concern.'' They are:
• Indian or Burmese pythons
• Reticulated pythons
• African rock pythons
• Amethystine or scrub pythons
• Green anacondas
• Nile monitor lizards
Owners will have to:
• Be 18 years old, complete an application and a questionnaire to get a permit
• Have a microchip implanted under the animal's skin after it reaches two inches in diameter to allow the commission to identify the animal's owner if it gets loose
• Meet record-keeping, reporting and cage requirements
Under a bill the Legislature is considering, owners of such reptiles would:
• Pay $100 each year
• Face first-degree misdemeanor charges for deliberately dumping a reptile in the wild
• Also, the wildlife commission will designate ''amnesty days'' when people can turn in their pets to the agency, which will try to find other homes.
Rules put squeeze on snake owners

Personally I think that this is a great idea.

I am so sick of hearing about one community after another propose complete bans on all "exotics" whatever they are. Or all pythons, or all boas and other rediculous things that never get passed. Then nothing happens, people buy pets that they shouldn't and then the next time some old ladies cat gets eaten everyone freaks out and it starts all over again.

This law shows some insight and some research. I think that way too many people have large reptiles that they can't care for properly. And for the dedicated keepers who are passionate about their pets, they can go right ahead.

Way to go florida!

I guess that most people are buying into the media bs that a bunch of kids are tossing their pets into the everglades when better than 99% of the problem comes from Hurricane Andrew when all the reptile breeders facilities got blown away and thousands of reptiles were let loose into the wild Can’t wait to see what hype they will come up with in Louisiana when people’s pets start to go missing in a couple of years and that they will be over run with them in about 15 years . just another way to collect money, fund a bs project and make it look like somebody is doing some thing about the problem....

Where did they get that list from, Clifford Pope's book? How many scrubs are loose?? Anyway, a fight between equal length python and gator is not a fight. The python is dinner.
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1.1 Blackheaded pythons
1.0 Woma
2.1 Aussie Olives
1.1 Timors
1.1 Savu
1.1 Juvie Bloods
1.1 Juvie Balls
1.1 IJ Carpets
1.1 Coastal Carpets
1.2 Macklotts
1.1 Papuan Olives
1.0 Jungle Carpet
2.2 Scrubs (on breeding loan)
0.1 Jungle/Diamond cross
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC

I have sold many large pythons over the years and despite my best efforts to disuade customers who I felt were insincere, many people have gone home with snakes that they shouldn't have.

Snakes do escape.

People DO let them go. I have witnessed it with my own eyes.

And huricanes are a huge factor as well.

This isn't a solution that is magicaly going to stop the problem with invasives but I think it will help. I also think that it will help with animal welfare concerns. I have seen too many big snakes housed in horrific conditions.

Mainly the point that I was trying to make was that many states would be throwing around laws to ban all boids. Or ban all reptiles. Not only are these things unrealistic, but if they did happen to pass, they would shut down an entire industry and enjoyable hobby. I thought that it was prudent of the florida government to at least take the time to think about the problem a little and propose an intelligent law that would still let the right people keep their favorite animals if they wanted to.

Look at NY state. Its been a while since I lived there but if I'm not mistaken they made a complete ban on all 6 of the giant pythons and several monitors too. By comparison, $100 bucks seems like a small price to pay.

I guess my thought is if they start charging us where does it stop. What are they going to try the next year? They could tax the crap out of us and kill our hobby anyway!

I think it is a horrible idea..

#1 If you allow another law on the books, it is simply becoming a slippery slope, and soon they will start to create rules and regulations for even puppy dogs.. err, I mean ball pythons.

and #2... If a person has the level of morals and ethics that they feel comfortable releasing a CB animal into the wild (which is already illegal) because it has grown to large for them to properly care for, or they have lost interest in the animal.. then odds are, they are not going to pay that $100 a year and they are not going to have their animals chipped. This just makes it harder for the normal, passionate hobbier to keep and house thier animal.

Do I think there is an easy answer? NO.. but all that this law does is make it harder on those that already follow the rules, and force them to spend more money on an already expensive animal.
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photos.xtremecombatsports.com

I live in FL and I agree with the law. It's going to hopefully limit owners to the responsible ones which is great for the reptile community in FL. $100 a year, that's cheap, just save $10 a month and you have your annual fee and some money to buy a bit of food(or treat yourself). And the fee is the same amount for venomous reptiles. I personally think any snake that can get over 15 feet(on average) should be regulated, not banned; but that's my personal feelings. If you can't afford $100 a year, then you can afford the food bill of large constrictors who eat like $40 a month or so.

If I could afford the food bill and encloser and whatnot then I'd love to get a reticulated python, I love their eyes and colors.$100 is nothing to me
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1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Rex- "normal" orange fire)
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Glutany- German Giant Mix)
0.1.0 Okeetee Corn (Okatee)
1.1.0 Spotted Python (Hotdog and Shoelace)

Ok I guess a 100 bucks is nothing to a pet owner. But I’ve got a 2500.00 dollar food bill plus vet and maintenance, substrate, cleaning supplies. It’s already illegal to release them why create more crap for the Florida fish and wildlife, they don’t even have time to check out the venomous stuff much less any other crap that hardly ever happens just ask one, I have.

the idea behind is that all respectable "reptiles of concern" breeders will be more careful on who they sell these too(as well as pet stores)in the state of FL so that these snakes don't keep getting out. If you want your snake then you won't let it go and pay the minor $100/yr for it and if you do let it go then they can find you and fine you. I'm agianst people just throwing out an animal (non-native)because they don't want it anymore. Eventually that's going to mess it up for everyone.
I had a friend release a ferret beacuse she didn't want to clean litter. Ferrets are not native to florida
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1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Rex- "normal" orange fire)
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Glutany- German Giant Mix)
0.1.0 Okeetee Corn (Okatee)
1.1.0 Spotted Python (Hotdog and Shoelace)