Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Read the story here: http://news4colorado.com/topstories/local_story_123121321.html/?can_view=124080708
and vote no in the poll at the right.

It sickens me to see how many people judge people that choose to keep exotic pets just because of a few stupid people that decide to keep a tiger in the garage and a cobra in the closet. Although i am in no way condoning the actions of the irresponsible keepers. The fact that there will always be some person who is irresponisble and lets his anaconda loose or something along thoes lines. That is why they now have established breeding populations of burmese pythons in south florida. It is thoes people who choose not to use common sence or obey the laws who give Herpers a bad wrap. It is not fair that so many people should have to look bad for a few ignorant people.

Just my 2-cents
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Be excellent to each other...and Party on dude!

Sorry Eric, Can't vote no on that one. There is a world of difference between having a snake like a ball python and having a gabbon viper. That's not to mention the 400 lb tiger.

This story mentioned both the specific gaboon viper confiscation and general exotic reptile ownership. If the poll question's intent was to determine the public's opinion on owning VENOMOUS snakes, that should have been clearly stated instead of the vague definition of "exotic pets" (which, as most of you know, includes ferrets, pocket pets, ALL reptiles, etc). If it were that way, I probably would have voted "yes".

not sure what kind of pets you are keeping in your pockets there... but I have to agree with you. I used to be terrified of snakes and actually moved when I found out that the person in the apartment above mine had snakes. Now with some training and understanding, I have a ball python I kiss goodnight before going to bed (he likes to give hugs). But even now I would have issues if my neighbor had vipers or a mamba 100 feet (and one hopefully locked lock) away from my children. Things need more definition. Saying Exotic Animals is too vague.
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Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Ball Python - Apep
1-1-0 Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

Just a suggestion, not particularly to anybody specific, but if you discover that a neighbour owns venomous snakes, and are concerned that they may escape, you could always ask to see his/her setup and enclosure... People are scared of things that are foreign to them. A long time ago, i used to be scared of snakes. So, I did a lot of reading, and bought a few. Now I wouldn't be without them!!!

ah come on now, if we asked to see the enclosure it would just serve to amplify the fear. Then when you lay in bed at night you instead of a random vision of the cobra (or what ever) next door getting out, you will actually be able to see it in your mind as it is picking the lock with it's tail.

Seriously though, that is a very good idea I for one had not thought of.
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Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Ball Python - Apep
1-1-0 Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

Ok....I am a guy who has vipers in his garage. I have for over thirty years with any escapes or bites. I live in an area where people get shot at least a few times a week and children are grabbed, raped and murdered almost as frequently. At least one person a week dies on my local roads.

I mention this to put things in perspective. In Florida where I am we DO NOT have established populations of Burmese Pythons. The only snake proven to be established here is the Brahminy Blind Snake.

And there lyes the crux of the matter. People build myths about what animals and the people who keep them are about. I (as former VP of my local herp society and as an ex zoo curator have know lots of people who keep exotics safely-and sainly.

The lady who had the famous Lincoln-Mercury Cougar mascot lived just a quarter mile from me. Never was there any trouble from the two dozen or more big cats (including Jaguars) that she kept-in a suburban neighborhood.

I really get tired of the paranoia that is out there. Granted there are kooks out there that go too far, but there are the same mindsets driving dangerously on our roads, or playing with firearms. Lumping people into groups based on what they keep is just plain stupid.

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

It is not a matter of lumping people into groups. Were a person lives is their choice. Just like you said that there is crime in your area, you choice to live there. You weigh the problems or potental of problems and decide what is best for you and your family. All I am saying is that it is another factor in the overall equation. The fact that you own vipers and have never had a problem is wonderful but you know that there is alway a possibility that you may get bitten no matter how remote that possiblity is. Its all just part of the equation.
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Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Ball Python - Apep
1-1-0 Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

Unfortunately my experience in 40 years of working with wildlife is that those who make laws seldom have the background to do so intelligently-especially when it comes to Pet/wildlife issues. There is often a sense of overkill to their actions that does not separate the careful keeper from the idiots who play with things they shouldn't have.

As to lumping people into groups...That is how the law makers function. They hear about a "problem" and go for what seems to be the simplest solution, so it looks like they are doing their jobs. That's how many bad laws get on the books.

Ultimately we all want to make our own choices. I personally resent that my desire to continue to work with animals-that I have safely kept longer than many of you have been alive-should hinge on reactionary legislation inspired by the stupidity of others. But when we get people making noise about the need to restrict our keeping, then Pandora's box is opened and we invite other's to make that choice.

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

If any one has been offended in any way i apologize that was not my intention. I was not trying to single out any body or any specnfic group of people. What i meant to get across was that the irresponsible are the ones who make headlines in newspapers and on TV. Thoes are the people that give the rest of us responsible keepers a bad wrap from the public. I am sure that most individuals that choose to keep venemous or potentially dangerous animals use good judgement and are confident in their skills. And about the Burmese pythons in Florida, what i was trying to get across was that there are many species that have been introduced into Americas wildernes that have adverse effects on the areas natural inhabbitants. The list includes but is not limited to the Burmese python. Here in my state of Louisiana a good example would be the Nutria. This animal escaped from a building during a hurricane. Now the are EVERYWHERE. I personally have no problem with the captive care of venemous snakes as well as the giant pythons, as long as the keeper in wuestion is properly qualified to accept the responsibilities that a potentially dangerous animal requires.

Information on feral Burmese pythons and other species.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/06/0603_040603_invasivespecies.html
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Be excellent to each other...and Party on dude!

I agree with you completely. I am sure that almost every hot herp owner on kingsnake is extremely careful in the care and housing of their pets. But as with the hurricane, there is always something that could go wrong. I personally want to eventually work up to owning one myself.
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Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Ball Python - Apep
1-1-0 Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

I realize that there is always a risk factor in any aspect of life i was simply implying that sometimes a simple mishap or mistake can have detramental effects.
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Be excellent to each other...and Party on dude!

np
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Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Ball Python - Apep
1-1-0 Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

dangerous or even classified as exotic really..Not anymore exotic then Akita's or chihuahuas..Stupid and uneducated people voting for something they know nothing about.
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n/p
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Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Ball Python - Apep
1-1-0 Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids