Off Topic, Important: Feds Move To Ban Pythons & Boas

[Fatal_S]

Good point, I'll just shoot the man myself and save everyone the trouble. I need a gun...

[sheslikeheroin]

Good point, I'll just shoot the man myself and save everyone the trouble. I need a gun...

you can borrow one of mine!!!
whaddya want 12 gauge , the 30-30
or the .306 bolt action with a 12 times scope!

[Fatal_S]

I want the scope!!

[MartinsPerson]

;O

I get putting bans on larger snakes unless you're some expert or something but ALL of them?!?! T_T

This is exactly the issue that I see here. The people who have put together this proposal are likely acting out of fear and not from a logical stance. Its the same concept as breed specific legislation for dogs. The people who are making the laws are not experts and often have not sought out unbiased resources to study. They act impulsively and in an effort to rally public support. More often than not, the ramifications for the animals are not even considered, and other options are not explored. I will be writing a letter, several in fact.

On that note, if you choose to write a letter in opposition of this ban, please be sure to be polite and base your arguments in fact. Although its easy to get heated on issues like this, I have been on the receiving end of some of these letters at a previous internship, and you will have a much better chance of being heard, and representing your views with validity, if you use good manners. (not implying that anyone wouldn't be polite.....but just thought I'd put it out there)

[NomadOfTheHills]

I think the permit should be required for specific species, not a length. An 8 foot carpet python is as thick as my wrist. An 8 foot blood python would be nearly 50 pounds, but not agile enough to strangle you.

Are we looking for dangerous to children, or dangerous to adults? To large men, to small women?


We can't draw the line, but the big five: green anacondas, rock pythons, indian pythons (including the burmese), and amethistene pythons could easily have a permit system required.

Either way, its really unfair to require a permit for these, considering all the other dangers in the world, and the odds of actually being killed by a large boid.

[Shadowfax]

I can see a ban on importing animals, I'm all about stopping wild captures, so I'd agree with that part.

But interstate transfer, I don't really see what that would do, but hurt captive breeders. The Injurious Wildlife List is good -- but these animals already exist in about every state, so there would be no real effect that could even hope to occur by doing that.

[Fatal_S]

Look on the bright side, Yanks. You may not be able to get a ball python, so go for a cobra! Not for you? Nile Crocodiles can still be shipped to most of the US! In many places you don't even need to know how to say the animals name to get it.

Dangerous to any human life, large men, small kids, is a no go. If a baby gets attacked by a corn snake, I doubt the corn is going to manage to strangle the kid. A ball python might, but couldn't do much to a toddler. A boa, now they could probably kill anything up to a large male, and even then said male could have a problem.

IMO, all pet ownership is under-regulated. People should need to pass tests to be allowed to be in control of another beings life. If the being is dangerous, even more so. However an outright ban is stupid and poorly-thought-out. If this ban passes, I hate to say it Yanks, but any good I might ever hear about you guys is going to be drowned by this ignorant move.

[thesilverbeast]

As an aussie i would be for the change. That is what our laws are like and it works really well. Its the best way to stop foreign pest species invading. Here, we have a big problem with cane toads, foxes, rabbits and feral cats. I can't imagine how much worse it would be if we were allowed to keep red eared sliders or another invasive species of reptile to compete with our natives. I think it would also be that because we are an island, we CAN control (mostly) what comes into the country whereas you guys have borders and all that stuff.


Having said that, if it were different here and then got taken away i would be annoyed! Its probably because its what im used to.

[Raven_Vivi]

I think the permit idea is the best. It works for both parties. Banning them now doesn't get rid of the ones already out there.

What are they gonna do? Go snake hunting for the ones on the loose?

Anyways, if the snake is captive bred and socialized properly and fed well, it has no reason to bother anybody. I knew a guy who had a 10ft long Burm and the python was FINE until the guy's son started teasing him and making him mean.

PS. I read/saw somewhere that some people buy cobras with their fangs yanked out. Cobra is virtually harmless but they can't eat anymore and die in a few months. So this dude had one of these cobras and teased it ALL the time and when it bit him it did nothing. ;_; i was quite sad to hear about it.

[Fatal_S]

1) A socialized snake is NOT a safe snake. You can buy a retic or anaconda, cuddle it all you want, make it as tame as possible, but the single instant it sees you as prey (and it will) all that taming does jack all. Large snakes are never safe to handle on your own. I believe the rule is 1 person per every 4 foot of snake. This would be for constrictors, as venomous snakes only get to 12? (king cobra?) feet, they don't strangle you and even a little one can kill you. No large snake should be kept by anyone who does not have the knowledge and experience. Permits or bans are the only way to do this. I prefer permits, as there are people out there who will take the precautions needed for a large or dangerous snake.

2) Cobra's do not need their fangs to live. You can remove the venomous fangs and have a harmless snake. However I find this to be extremely cruel to the snake. It's about the same as de-clawing a cat, only more dangerous of a surgery I believe. They cannot kill their own food though, as the venom is their only way of catching a meal. However, in some cultures it is done for specific reasons. Many snake charmers also have their snakes de-fanged, just in case.

[NomadOfTheHills]

1 person per four foot? I'm sorry, an 8 foot carpet python is not something I need a second person to work with, IMO. Now, I understand where you are coming from. Would I try to handle a 12 foot retic by myself? No, no I wouldn't. It all depends on the species.

A cat could kill a baby, hell, a rat could kill a baby.

[Fatal_S]

Yes, maybe we should ignore babies. I like to. I'd say if the snake could kill (not eat, just kill) a toddler (able to walk) it probably should fall under the dangerous catagory.

I don't know much about carpet pythons -.-' If I had a Ball Python that was 8 feet (not real) I probably wouldn't worry about 2 people either.

I think we've almost come too far in our loss of fear over snakes and such. While some people still hate them, too many others are giving them human traits, believing their animals are sweet and love them.

Let's turn this into an example: Someone comes on the forum telling us how he got a mouse to feed to his young BTS, but they're "Best Friends" and the BTS doesn't want to eat it. He then proceeds to continue letting the 2 interact. One day, down the road, the BTS isn't so little any more. He looks over at the mouse and goes 'hey, food' and that's that.
BTS = Snake
Mouse = People

I am very upset when people claim their large snake loves them, and will not believe the advice that they shouldn't trust the snake. Snakes are not domesticated. If it sees you as food, a victim, an attacker, or maybe you twitch and it kicks into instinct mode. A large snake will kill a person. With more and more people getting snakes, not researching, and believing snakes are like dogs, I see more and more reason for permits and bans.

[NomadOfTheHills]

I agree with you. Thats why I like a permit system.

The funny thing is, no one ever gets killed by these snakes, despite the chance to. By "no one," I mean once every what, few years in the United States?

Thats few enough for me.

[Leigh]

They should introduce the permit system for breeding and owning kids first, then think about the animals after hhahah. There will always be people that dodge rules, and the permit scheme will only work for the responsable owners, the naughty lot will swerve it like the illegal traders do with wild caughts.

[sheslikeheroin]

if anyone is wondering the reccomended amount of people to handle large boids is 1 per the first 6-8 feet (depending on the thickness of the snake) and then 1 person for every 2-3 feet afterwards ,the amount of people should be doubled after 18 feet. so a twenty foot burmese should have abouth 15 people handling it and an 8 foot burm only needs 1 or 2. also ultra agressive species like emerald tree boas should have extra people to manage it and prevent bites. atleast thats what i've read in my 2 of my python and boa books.

[NomadOfTheHills]

An emerald tree boa poses no threat to health besides lacerations. Most keepers use a plexiglass shield to protect themselves form strikes as it is.

I think that if people want to be dumb, let them.

[Zach]

I agree with most of what's been said....there are so many other things you could put bans on that are dangerous. I think big snakes would rate at the bottom of the barrel. They're simply not a threat -- I don't get it. Of course, as was said, the only reason this ban is even being talked about is because all these MORONS think snakes are dangerous and venomous and are scared to death of them; as most people are.

Let's ban spiders and tarantulas while we're at it! Wouldn't be hard to rally public support!

[Dragontears]

I agree with most of what's been said....there are so many other things you could put bans on that are dangerous. I think big snakes would rate at the bottom of the barrel. They're simply not a threat -- I don't get it. Of course, as was said, the only reason this ban is even being talked about is because all these MORONS think snakes are dangerous and venomous and are scared to death of them; as most people are.

Let's ban spiders and tarantulas while we're at it! Wouldn't be hard to rally public support!

[sheslikeheroin]

has anyone sent any letters in more made atleast a little bit of a stink yet?