Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello everyone,

We are preparing to battle a ban on constrictors over 8' in length here in Ohio. I would like to know if anyone has records or knows where I can obtain records giving the number of deaths in the U.S. as a result of Large constrictors. I would certainly appreciate if anyone can help me out or point me in the right direction.

Thank you very much,

Chris
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U.A.P.P.E.A.L.
Uniting A Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League

Chris, do you frequent the Boa forum? There's a post there tittled Re:HELP HERE with some info from Melissa Kaplans site. Check it out.

Quig

Hey Quig,

Yes, I have viewed that. Dean had actually beaten me to the Boa forum..lol. I did see Melissa Kaplan's site. One thing I didn't think of is possibly viewing her sources of information...perhaps there is an "official record" being kept of these occurences?

Thanks,

Chris

>>Chris, do you frequent the Boa forum? There's a post there tittled Re:HELP HERE with some info from Melissa Kaplans site. Check it out.
>>
>>Quig
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U.A.P.P.E.A.L.
Uniting A Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League

I would guess you will have to rely on the same sources as the opposition: not real good science. First web search on Google produced a site that state: "8 more or less" (fatal attacks by constrictors) have occoured in North America in the "past 20 years or so". They list at least one citation. If you can locate the piece, give me your e-mail and I'll forward it.

I think the glaring lack of data and/or a data reporting mechanism speaks volumes. It simply has not been deemed necessary. As a career bureaucrat, I assure you that we would be tracking it if it was "there." I would challenge your LEGISLATORS to provide empirical data to support their proposed restrictions. This should not be incumbent of the public.

I agree with the last post...if it was a big problem there would be documentation about it.

...and when the morons learn that they have no data to support their claims of risk of fatality by constriction, watch for a curve ball; Salmonella! Pregnant women! Infant death! Of course, all that is without foundation too, but these folks have there minds made up.

Dont know how helpful this is. Do a google serch for AFH guidlines for the keeping of large constrictors.