That Reptile Blog – Reptile, Amphibian and Exotic Pet Care and Information
I’ve just received some reasonably good news concerning Senate Bill 373, which as originally proposed would have banned the ownership of all pythons (even ball pythons) and many other constrictors. Due to the overwhelming response by snake enthusiasts and the pet industry, the bill has been modified to include only Green and Yellow Anacondas, Burmese, Reticulated and African Pythons and Boa constrictor. I and the staff at ThatPetPlace would like to thank everyone who read our recent article on Senate Bill 373 and took action. It’s gratifying to have had such interest from my readers, and to see that concerned, responsible people can make a difference.
More Help Needed
There is still some work left to do, so I again must ask for your assistance. Perhaps there is room for improvement – setting up a licensing system for responsible herptoculturists, for example, so that they can continue to work with Boa constrictors.
The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PJAC) has set up a very simple and quick means for you to contact legislators and register your opinion here. An informative video with detailed information is posted here.
You can also learn more and take action through The National Python and Boa Ban Information Center and The United States Association of Reptile Keepers.
This seems me to be the begining of the end. Once they succeed at banning these snakes. They will start on the rest. A better way would to have permits sold with these snakes. This way snakes could be tracked. Also cage size and construction could have minimum size and strengh requirements to prevent escapees.
Snake handling safty/husbandry programs coulds also be instituted for owenership of these snakes.
Serious snake owners need to be protected from the uneducated public who make us look bad and from people that still show snake biblical bias. We need not give up our rights as snake owners.
Hello Bill, Frank Indiviglio here.
Thanks for your interest in our blog.
It’s a tough issue, with good and bad arguments and research on both sides. However, the fact that 2 all-encompassing bans have been defeated does indicate that grass roots political action can influence our legislator’s actions.
There are indeed options…Florida recently required implanting tracking devices in some species, so that escapees can be located. One problem that I’ve seen in the past re invertebrates and potentially injurious mammals, especially in economic downturns, is that legislators worry about the willingness and abilities of the states to enforce the regulations – an outright ban is cheaper and more certain, at least that is the logic behind some past actions.
I’ll post updates as the situation progresses,
Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.
i dont think boas should be on the list as most of the snakes u hear about killing people is pythons not boas ive had 2 boas for 5 years and never had any trouble from them i also have 2 dogs and 2 cats and a green iguana
Hello Billy, Frank Indiviglio here.
Thanks for your interest in our blog.
It’s a tough question, and a great deal depends upon the owner’s experience; I know of 1 instance in which a 5 foot long bullsnake rendered its owner unconscious (it was being carried draped around the owner’s neck). This was highly unusual, but the potential for serious accidents does exist where large constrictors are concerned. Given the potentially large size of the Boa constrictors, it does look likely that they will be included in the ban, but smaller species within the Genus will be exempt. How this will affect animals currently in captivity is not yet known.
Good luck, enjoy and please keep me posted.
Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.