Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This is not helping the cause now a green anaconda was found yesterday in miami,also over our recent cold snap a burm was seen in melbourne fl which i dont know if it was true but we know the media also it hard to believe because for 13 days its been below freezing or at,recorded several times at 24degrees in melbourne and state trappers say they have not seen it yet.Im tried of so called snake haters doing this fake release crap and i think this happened in melbourne if it is a true.Im going to keep checking on this story.FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT.

I can't find anything about this in Miami. I see an article about one in Kissimmee if that's what you are talking about. The one in Kissimmee wouldn't last the winter as it gets too cold up there. I do a lot of photography in that area and know it well.

No matter what people from HSUS, PETA, our Senators, and Congressmen spew out none of these snakes will last outside of the Everglades. Too populated everywhere and too cold north of Palm Beach County.
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Matt Lerer
Ghi Reptiles

I think you mean the African Rock Pythons found there over the last few days-and yes bad news indeed.

We're caught in a leghold trap here folks-it may be time to chew off the foot before they beat us to death!
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Brad Chambers
WWW.HCU-TX.ORG

"I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them. I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do." - Robert A. Heinlein

Of course they did, real or not, they are trying to counter the articles and photos of stiff, frozen snakes being found and iguanas dropping out of the trees. Unfortunately, this fight will be won or lost in the media. Most people are sheep and will believe everything they see on TV, true or not.
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Tri State Pythons

or does it almost sounds like someone going down the list. If the reports are true that would make Burms, af rocks, and anacondas found. If a retic is found next it is time for these politicians to look at the situation a little differently. Not like the HSUS would release these animals or anything. Just getting way to odd.

Man, and I was supposed to move to Florida this summer. I'll have to rethink that now. I hope everybody plans on boycotting Daytona this year to show Florida what kind of money is involved here.

>>Man, and I was supposed to move to Florida this summer. I'll have to rethink that now. I hope everybody plans on boycotting Daytona this year to show Florida what kind of money is involved here.

Please try to understand that the legislation going through right now is federal level legislation, not state level. In my opinion, FL has some of the most reasonable regulations regarding venomous/large constrictors of any state that I have lived in. And, I am twice (and currently) a FL resident but I have also lived in Marlyand, Pennsylvania and Washington, DC.

As far as Daytona goes, why would you punish the show organizers and vendors for lesislation that they most certainly oppose themsleves. The only thing that boycotting Daytona will do will take food off of the tables of those very people that we are fighting to protect. Wouldn't we all be better served by showing them our support and utilizing other avenues to send our message to legislators?

So, please, reconsider being down on FL just becuae the poster children for this legislation (Burms in the 'Glades) happen to reside here. Consider supporting FL and working to a solution to the real problem - the eradication of ALL invasive species here (and there are bunches).

Thanks for listening.

Rob

There are loads of invasive species in just about every state in the country...not just Florida.
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Matt Lerer
Ghi Reptiles

...I was just focused on FL since the OP seemed so down on the state.

Rob

Some good points. However money gets things done in politics as the HSUS knows. The Daytona show puts a nice chunk of change into the economy for Florida. Lost revenue from just that show should certainly open Sen. Nelson's eyes to just how much money this industry pumps into the economy. JMO

Sometimes you have to give something in order to get what you want. IMO it would be worth skipping a year of having the Daytona show if it opens their eyes to the money they will lose.

For breeders who work mainly with boas they would pull out of the show if the bill goes through anyway. That will hurt the show in the long haul anyway, meaning the show will suffer eventually anyway. I say make a statement now or eventually fall later.

A better response would be to get all the businesses that benefit from the expo to get involved in our fight. I would think that letters and calls to senators from the management of the hotels, restaurants etc in the area, along with the chamber of commerce would carry more weight than letters from individual reptile keepers. Can you imagine the joy in the HSUS and PETA if there were an organized boycott of the show.

Mike Bell

WE NEED TO UNITE NOT BOYCOTT, THROW OUR BROTHERS & SISTERS UNDER THE BUS, ETC...THIS IS WHAT THEY WANT, A HUGE DIVISION AND BICKERING AMONGST OURSELVES....
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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

Is my idea best? Who knows, but my comments caused a little brain storming. Problem is it should have been done already. I actually like your idea. To bring other forms of business in it would be huge for us. And it just doesn't have to be Florida. I mean there is a show every weekend somewhere in the US. Problem is the time and leg work it would take to get it done at this point.

The show promoters know the hotels and other businesses that benefit from their business. Hopefully they have contacted some of them to get extra help from the people on the outside of the reptile industry that benefit from it.

To get what they want...absolutely. Just like the Captain from the Steve Irwin who pretended to get shot by a sniper from a Japanese whaling vessel. The ends justifies the means in their minds.

And it is hilarious that animals from the list are suspiciously showing up and animals are showing up just before a vote...in oh so animal terrorist fashion.
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Matt Lerer
Ghi Reptiles

Oh I agree. It was sarcastic in my head but didn't come across as such the way I posted it.