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Old 04-19-2006, 04:02 PM   #151
dirty_harry
whoa... that could definitely put a damper on Daytona.... OUCH!
 
Old 04-22-2006, 07:42 AM   #152
INSANE CANES
Wow some interesting reading. Thanks for the links.
 
Old 08-26-2006, 07:30 AM   #153
Mike Greathouse
FWC Public Comment Meeting Summary, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 8/23/06

Courtesy of Shawn K. Heflick


August 23, 2006
Subject: FWC Public Comment Meeting Summary, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Greetings Herpers!
The public comment meeting for the Rulemaking Process on Reptiles of Concern and Venomous Reptiles (among other things) was extremely well attended last evening in Ft. Lauderdale. The meeting was conducted by Captain Linda Harrison and Captain John West of FWC. They did a great job of answering questions, providing a floor for comments (I had my fare shareJ), and noting suggestions. There were some great comments and a lot of great dialogue between the reptile community present and FWC. During the entire forum they emphasized the role and desire for public input into the process. If you attend any of the remaining meetings (times and addresses included below), be sure to sign up to speak at the beginning of the meeting, even though by the time they get to you, you may decide not to speak…though they provide ample time for comments/questions.

A synopsis follows:

1. FWC defined Reptiles of Concern (ROCs): 5 species of giant snakes (Amethystine, Burms/Indians, Retics, Anaconda, African Rocks) Nile monitors, Water monitors and Tegu lizards. When questioned why Tegus were included, they said there was a sustaining population in Polk County living in Gopher Tortoise burrows. FWC stated that it is very likely that Tegus may not be a problem and the regs will reflect it if that is the case. Discussion on Morph specimens not being included in the Reptiles of Concern followed. Comment was made by FWC that “equal” numbers of morphs/non-morphs have been found in urban settings, so the topic is in need of review. I find this “equal numbers” suspect and hard to believe based on % of overall captive population…let alone the value angle.

FWC admits that releases appear to be the result of all impulse buys by the uninformed public who then become uninterested in their pet reptile, which spurred myself and many retailers/wholesalers/breeders present to suggest that it was a consumer based problem and thus the end consumer should be burdened with the permitting, etc. (Excerpt from Bill Brant’s letter: The defining point could be the issue of sales tax. If a person has a Florida sales tax certificate so they can re-sell the reptile of concern they would not bear the burden of identifying the reptile of concern. A large number of the ROCs sold are never going to reside in Florida and therefore do not threaten the Florida environment. All of that paperwork and identification required would be unnecessary. The permit holder would be the consumer who is the one probably releasing them into the environment anyway. I am doubtful that breeders, importers and distributors are releasing”…based on monetary issues). Many of us added in this meeting that the financial burden of such permitting on large breeders/wholesalers/distributors would be astronomical and thus an unfair burden for the people not responsible for the end result wild release. The FWC seemed to have already been considering this and agreed that end user/consumer maybe the way to go.

2. The floor was opened to the first speaker who was an animal rights activist who basically wanted all exotics banned…we, the reptile community, did well in not justifying his comment with a response…WELL DONE ALL…I know you wanted toJ

3. The requirement of a PIT tag for Reptiles of Concern and non-indigenous venomous reptiles was another huge topic in this forum. We commented on the incomprehensibility of attempting to place PIT tags in many of the species that were small or extremely venomous and thus problematic for most to lay their hands on. In addition, neonates/hatchlings of most venomous species are far smaller than what is acceptable for implantation of these devices, thus the negative impact of the micro-chip on neonate animals would be counterproductive. My initial comments also included the risk to the person administering the PIT tag, along with the (typically unqualified) vet assistance needed and the lack of veterinarians willing to tag venomous reptiles. An alternative means of identification such as digital photographs was added as, though not perfect, a more reasonable and cheaper form of ID. Comments underlining the fact that the venom producers and wholesalers would be placed under undue burden to microchip all of the venom production stock was also interjected. This may ultimately lead to a loss of venom production and subsequently diminish the supply of anti-venom in the state. Many submitted that FWC themselves would be burden with a huge cost of regulating and tracking such a system beyond their already labored efforts to stay abreast of the current paperwork.

4. Additional Topics:

A. Additional topics we added concerned caging requirements that don’t seem to take into account individual species that should be reviewed. Minimum size caging for neonate balls was on a lot of people’s minds and their need for dark, confined spaces. Most breeders have neonate racks that do not currently meet these standards. Natural history of this species and current breeding/housing success would conclude that this is in need of review.

B. The inclusion of environmental controls is another topic we brought up as short-sighted. Many breeders have rooms that are climate controlled and meet or exceed the environmental conditions necessary to successfully keep reptiles. The inclusion of lights in snake species is physiologically unnecessary and may be detrimental to some species overall wellbeing (Ball Pythons). Many nocturnal species like the dark and are impacted negatively by direct lights in the enclosure.

C. The need for paperwork submission EVERY THREE MONTHS was also on my list. The proposed regs would require licensees to submit acquisition/deposition paperwork on ALL animals every 90 days. Who/Where/When it came from and who/where/when it went to. For large breeders/wholesalers/distributors this may boil down to thousands of animal acquisitions/dispositions per month. I believe I was clear in my delivery that this not only places unrealistic deadlines on licensees, but further burdens the FWC with mountains of paperwork in addition to their already, shall we say untimely and far from mistake proof, mounds of paper in place currently. It was suggested that at most every 6 months was more than enough to accomplish the goal desired.

D. Lastly, we brought up the need for clear written regulations for venomous exhibition at shows/expos, so that all of the guesswork can be taken out of the process and vendors are not stressed/burdened/reprimanded by paying the price for unclear regs.

REMEMBER, FWC IS ASKING FOR OUR INPUT. MANY STATES JUST SHUT IT ALL DOWN (KENTUCKY). PARTICIPATE, VOICE YOUR OPINIONS, BE HEARD, BE SEEN, BE A POSITIVE PART OF THE ANIMALS AND THE INDUSTRY WE ALL LOVE.

WHEN you go…thank FWC for giving us an opportunity to voice our opinions!

If you are located in another area of the state please try to attend one of the comment sessions. Next week will be Pensacola and Tallahassee. Please make comment even if you feel others have already said the same thing. They need to hear what people have to say. Please forward this e-mail to other Herpers and people in the reptile industry.

Per Bill Brant…THE WORLD IS RUN BY PEOPLE WHO JUST SHOW UP…he is right!!!

If you would like any additional information or have comments please email me at sheflick@aol.com.


Cheers,

Shawn K. Heflick



August 22, 2006, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Tampa Port Authority, 1101 Channelside Drive, 1st Floor Board Room, Tampa, FL 33602

August 23, 2006, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Broward County Main Library, 100 S. Andrews Avenue, 8th Floor, Rooms 8A & 8B,
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301-1830

August 28, 2006, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Pensacola Junior College, 1000 College Blvd., Hagler Auditorium, Bldg. 2 Room 252, Pensacola, FL 32504-8910

August 29, 2006, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Bryant Building, 620 S. Meridian Street, 2nd Floor, Room 272, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600

Written comments can be sent to:

FWC
Division of Law Enforcement
Investigations Section
Attn: Ms. Precious Boatwright
620 South Meridian St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600

Deadline is Sept 13, 2006.
 
Old 08-26-2006, 11:03 AM   #154
varnyard
Mike, Look at this. http://wld.fwc.state.fl.us/critters/...asp?taxclass=R

Quote:
Florida's Exotic Wildlife: status for 48 Reptile species
Estimated trend in populations
17 species are expanding,
2 species are stable,
4 species are declining, and
25 species have unknown population levels
Breeding status
35 species have been breeding at least 10 years (but not necessarily consecutive years).,
10 are less than 10 years, and
3 species are not reported breeding in the wild in Florida
Established status
36 Established: Populations are confirmed breeding and apparently self-sustaining for 10 or more consecutive years.,
2 Species are present and breeding but for less than 10 years.,
8 Species are present but not confirmed to be breeding. Population persists only with repeated introductions and/or escapes of individuals., and
2 Species have populations whose status is unknown.
Distribution range
2 species occur in 51-66 counties ,
1 species occur in 21-50 counties ,
3 species occur in 11-20 counties ,
9 species occur in 06-10 counties ,
18 species occur in 02-05 counties , and
15 species occur in 01 counties
. Click here for a map of species by county
Click on a species Common Name to get details for that species. Common Name Scientific name First year Breeding status Established
Turtles
Red-eared Slider Trachemys scripta elegans Unknown At least 10 years Established
Crocodilians
Spectacled Caiman Caiman crocodilus 1960 At least 10 years Established
Lizards
African Redhead Agama Agama agama 1976 Less than 10 years Established
Giant Ameiva Ameiva ameiva 1954 At least 10 years Established
Brown Anole Anolis sagrei 1887 At least 10 years Established
Hispaniolan Green Anole Anolis chlorocyanus 1980s At least 10 years Established
Puerto Rican Crested Anole Anolis cristatellus cristatellus 1975 At least 10 years Established
Largehead Anole Anolis cybotes 1967 At least 10 years Established
Bark Anole Anolis distichus 1946 At least 10 years Established
Knight Anole Anolis equestris equestris 1952 At least 10 years Established
Barbados Anole Anolis extremus 1990s Less than 10 years Not Established, Present
Marie Gallant Sail-tailed Anole Anolis ferreus 1990 Not reported breeding Not Established, Present
Cuban Green Anole Anolis porcatus 1980s At least 10 years Established
Jamaican Giant Anole Anolis garmani 1975 At least 10 years Established
Brown Basilisk Basiliscus vittatus 1976 At least 10 years Established
Green Basilisk Basiliscus plumifrons 1994 Not reported breeding Not Established, Present
Indochinese Tree Agama Calotes mystaceus 1990s Less than 10 years Not Established, Present
Oriental Garden Lizard Calotes versicolor 1978 At least 10 years Established
Veiled Chameleon Chamaeleo calyptratus 2002 Less than 10 years Potentially Established
Rainbow Lizard Cnemidophorus lemniscatus 1964 At least 10 years Established
Giant Whiptail Cnemidophorus motaguae 1995 Less than 10 years Established
Asian Flattail House Gecko Cosymbotus platyurus 1983 At least 10 years Not Established, Present
Mexican Spinytail Iguana Ctenosaura pectinata 1972 At least 10 years Established
Black Spinytail Iguana Ctenosaura similis 1978 At least 10 years Established
Tokay Gecko Gekko gecko 1965 At least 10 years Established
Yellowhead Gecko Gonatodes albogularis fuscus 1939 At least 10 years Unknown
Tropical House Gecko Hemidactylus mabouia 1990 At least 10 years Established
Common House Gecko Hemidactylus frenatus 1979 At least 10 years Established
Mediterranean Gecko Hemidactylus turcicus 1910 At least 10 years Established
Indo-Pacific Gecko Hemidactylus garnotii 1963 At least 10 years Established
Green Iguana Iguana iguana 1966 At least 10 years Established
Northern Curlytail Lizard Leiocephalus carinatus armouri 1935 At least 10 years Established
Green-legged Curlytail Lizard Leiocephalus personatus scalaris 1970s Less than 10 years Not Established, Present
Red-sided Curlytail Lizard Leiocephalus schreibersii schreibersii 1970s At least 10 years Established
Butterfly Lizard Leiolepis belliana belliana 1992 At least 10 years Established
Many-lined Grass Skink Mabuya multifasciata 1990 At least 10 years Established
Bibron's Gecko Pachydactylus bibroni 1970s At least 10 years Not Established, Present
Giant Day Gecko Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis 1990s Less than 10 years Established
Texas Horned Lizard Phrynosoma cornutum 1934 At least 10 years Established
Ocellated Gecko Sphaerodactylus argus argus 1944 At least 10 years Established
Ashy Gecko Sphaerodactylus elegans elegans 1921 At least 10 years Established
White-spotted Wall Gecko Tarentola annularis 1990s Less than 10 years Potentially Established
Moorish Wall Gecko Tarentola mauritanica 1996 Less than 10 years Not Established, Present
Nile Monitor Varanus niloticus 1990 At least 10 years Established
Snakes
Javan Filesnake Acrochordus javanicus 1970s Not reported breeding Unknown
Common Boa Boa constrictor 1990 At least 10 years Established
Burmese Python Python molurus bivittatus 1980s Less than 10 years Established
Brahminy Blind Snake Ramphotyphlops braminus 1979 At least 10 years Established
I don't see tegus on this list, I guess they have not updated it.
 
Old 09-07-2006, 08:35 PM   #155
ambanja
I am hoping somebody could possibly help me out.

I serve in The US Coast Guard and am cuurently stationed in the Seattle area.
I am attempting to move to the Florida area with anticipation of moving to the Tampa/St. Pete/Clearwater area or the Jacksonville area.
I possess many exotic animals. Yellow Naped Amazon (bird), Sulpher Crested Cockatoo (Bird), Sun-Day Conure (bird), Senegal Parrot (bird), Cockatiel (bird), 6 Panther Chameleons (reptile), Veiled Chameleon (reptile), 5 Bearded Dragons (reptile), Mali Uromastyx (reptile), Fat-tailed Gecko (reptile), Red-Tailed Boa (reptile), corn snake (reptile) and a weimaraner (dog).

Are there any laws or regulations regarding any of the animals that I own. I DO breed a small amount of bearded dragons each year as well as a small amount of Panther Chameleons. By no means is it a business, more of a hobby. Any help would be greatly appreaciated.

I have searched the interent and I am still unsure of any laws. I prefer to ask the average person rather than asking Law Enforcement due to the fact that when I moved to the Seattle area I inquired with the local law enforcement about my animals and the King County Sherrif Deputy that I talked with, told me that most of the reptiles I owned were not allowed within King County, which I later found out was not true at all and there were no regulations concerning non-venomous reptiles in King County.

Thank You

Operations Specialists Second Class
William Shuey
 
Old 09-07-2006, 08:55 PM   #156
Mike Greathouse
William,
I can't help you with the birds, but you'll have no issues with any of your reptiles. There are no state or county laws (Pinellas & Hillsborough) prohibiting the reptiles. As far as Jacksonville, I'm not certain if there are any county laws in effect there, but my guess is that there is not. You might try looking up The Jacksonville Herpetological Society for additional information.

Good luck
 
Old 09-09-2006, 03:37 AM   #157
ambanja
Ok, thank you for the information in regards to the Tampa Bay area, I will also be contacting somebody from the Jacksonville area about their reptile specific laws as well.
 
Old 09-13-2006, 12:59 AM   #158
simplysnakes
I am not sure - since I did not read this entire thread - but I had posted about this and there is a petition online that you can sign below is the latest update as to what is taking place with it. Also are email links to FWC to write your letters of concern too. Its still not to late.

Here is the copy:

I've sent to FWC a hard copy of the petition of signatures we had collected. I've emailed Lt. Harrison, and Precious Boatwright a link to view the online petition.
We are going to keep the petition ongoing. We've also sent a letter to Rep. Poppell and Senator Posey who originated Senate Bill 990 also known as House Bill 145 a letter that states what we are doing.
It was stated at the last CWTAG meeting that Rep Poppell intends to bring the bill back up in Feb 2007.
I personally also feel that he along with certain other powerful person or person(s) are responsible for putting pressure on FWC to come up with these rules. (Which had changed significantly from what CWTAG had been working on when it was announced at the public forum.)

I've attached a copy of the letter that was sent to Lt. Harrison, Precious Boatwright, Rep. Poppell and Senator Posey.

Hopefully what everyone is doing will make a difference.


These are the email addresses of Lt. Harrison and Precious Boatwright.
Send your concerns to both.


linda.harrison@MyFWC.com

precious.boatwright@MyFWC.com


LINK FOR ONLINE PETITION:

The Jacksonville Herpetological Society Link to our on line petition failed last week. We've finally been able to reload the petition online however, we've lost all the signatures that were gathered. If you believe as we do, and had signed the petition or would like to please return to www.jaxherp.org and click on the link for the petition or go directly to http://reptiles.petitiontime.com/


Thanks so much,

Janine Wells
Vice President Jacksonville Herpetological Society



Sincerely,
Beth Moody
Simply Snakes
 
Old 09-13-2006, 01:04 AM   #159
simplysnakes
Just in case anyone is interested this is the copy of the letter that was attached in that email that I just posted about.






From
Florida Registered Voter’s and Concerned Citizens
PO Box 57954
Jacksonville Fl 32241

Sept 12, 2006

To:
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

CC: Senator Posey
CC: Representative Poppell

Re: Proposed Reptile Rules and Procedures and Proposed Legislation

Be it known that we, as Florida’s Concerned Citizens, and registered Voters’ are watching the current proposed rules and procedures, and also the possible pending legislation concerning Reptiles in Florida. We currently have started a grass roots petition to make our fellow residents aware of the pending rules, and possible up coming proposed legislation. We are gathering signatures both online and in person to make you our representatives aware of our feelings.
Further, we feel that we are being unfairly targeted by a handful of well financed person (s) who are misleading you, our representatives as to what is actually happening. We are prepared to use our rights to let our feelings be heard. Our online petition is located at the following web address http://reptiles.petitiontime.com/ .
Just to let you know, in just a few hours of uploading our petition we have already gathered 79 signatures, and the number is increasing as I write.



Thank-you,

Florida Concerned Citizens

This was sent by JAX HERP SOCIETY

Sincerely
Beth Moody
Simply Snakes
 
Old 03-04-2007, 11:32 AM   #160
Matsuro
Does anyone know if you can own a Fennec Fox while living in a apartment/condo? Will they give you the permit at all?

I live in a apartment and really want the Class III permit right now, but not sure if I could actually get it because of the fact I live in a apartment.

I had plans on moving into a condo, they used to be apartments but they got bought out a year or two ago. Now they are condos and townhouses.
 

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