Call To All members here....

[chunk53]

I got this letter from Mr. Jerry Costello our state representative from IL after contacting him concerning the python ban. I have also talked to him personally on the phone. I would like to send him an email back and wanted to know if there is anything anybody would like me to tell him. I have had direct contact with him so hopefully we can send an email that will make a difference. Thanks in advance.

Please tell your representative that there have only been about 20 deaths from snakes in 30 years and there are an average of 200 caused by horses a year and about the same caused by dogs. Also, remember to include that the species Boa Constrictor has never killed a single person, and that this would also ban all sub-species, including Boa Constrictor Impuritor, which is the Hogg Island Boa. Make sure they realize that these only get 5-6 feet max length. Also, point out that these snakes can live in pretty much only the everglades and could never survive in anywhere that has a real winter. This bill would ban them from places such as Utah, where our summer temps would cook these snakes and our winters would freeze them. And from places like Arizona and Nevada who's summer temps would also cook any of the snakes listed in the ban. Places like North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Alaska all get to cold at some point during the year for these snakes to survive and it is unfair of Congress to not let responsible pet owners in any state, especially these ones, own these snakes. This should be thrown out on a national level and the Florida Legislature needs to deal with this on a state level.

 

[corns&balls]

Please tell your representative that there have only been about 20 deaths from snakes in 30 years and there are an average of 200 caused by horses a year and about the same caused by dogs. Also, remember to include that the species Boa Constrictor has never killed a single person, and that this would also ban all sub-species, including Boa Constrictor Impuritor, which is the Hogg Island Boa. Make sure they realize that these only get 5-6 feet max length. Also, point out that these snakes can live in pretty much only the everglades and could never survive in anywhere that has a real winter. This bill would ban them from places such as Utah, where our summer temps would cook these snakes and our winters would freeze them. And from places like Arizona and Nevada who's summer temps would also cook any of the snakes listed in the ban. Places like North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Alaska all get to cold at some point during the year for these snakes to survive and it is unfair of Congress to not let responsible pet owners in any state, especially these ones, own these snakes. This should be thrown out on a national level and the Florida Legislature needs to deal with this on a state level.

chunk53, I'm sure your intentions are good. You are listing specific snakes, and States in the Northwest and Southwest. We need to be united! No snake ban period. The snakes on the list could not survive a winter in most States, or the summer in a lot of States as you listed. The Everglades are the only place in the United States that they could survive in the wild, so it should only be a local issue for the DNR and that's all. Sorry, I just had to chime in on that.

 

[kmarsh]

We all need to keep the lines of communication open in any place you have it. Educate your Senators, Congressmen, Representatives. That is the key let them hear your voice, meet you and know your concerns, fears and beleifs. We just got a pass on the s.303 here in GA but its no time to sit back and think that it won't surface again. We all need to be where ever there is a hearing, a petition, a meeting, or anything where we can keep up on what is happening.

 

[davidnizmo]

thanks for the url just voted

 

[Python1986]

Did you see the python spescial on{NGC}?

 

[chunk53]

chunk53, I'm sure your intentions are good. You are listing specific snakes, and States in the Northwest and Southwest. We need to be united! No snake ban period. The snakes on the list could not survive a winter in most States, or the summer in a lot of States as you listed. The Everglades are the only place in the United States that they could survive in the wild, so it should only be a local issue for the DNR and that's all. Sorry, I just had to chime in on that.

I know they can only survive in the everglades I just wanted to give some examples and didn't wanna type out all states lol. Also the reason I listed individual snakes is because these are the specific snakes the bill currently lists. It is not stated that ALL pythons are to be baned just 9 specific species. The biggest concern is that they way it is written allows for some interpretation and it is possible to be interpreted as stating that all Pythons are baned.

 

[kmarsh]

They are specific on the pythons but not on the boa's and it does seem to include all boas which could mean the hogg island boa which is a small snake and certainly not a danger. This is just more rush to ban without real thought and certainly without necessity since florida already has a program in place.

 

[chunk53]

They are specific on the pythons but not on the boa's and it does seem to include all boas which could mean the hogg island boa which is a small snake and certainly not a danger. This is just more rush to ban without real thought and certainly without necessity since florida already has a program in place.

The bill does currently list the boas to be band as well. These are all Anacondas, and the species Boa Constrictor

 

[kmarsh]

Thats what I was saying, they list the burmese, african rock retic on the pythons but on the boa's it just says boa's. It doesnt say larger boas or redtail boas so it means ANY boa even the small hogg island boas would be on that list of banned.

 

[theoneinblack]

Donie and more done. I told a ferw of my friends, too... They've voted as well. By the way, the vote currently stands at 3% for, 97% against.

 

[WingedWolf]

It's listing the species by name. Boa constrictor is the species it lists--that's the Red-tail boa. Many of the boas people keep are SUBSPECIES of Boa constrictor--or even just localities of subspecies. However, it does not list all boas--only Boa constrictor. Acrantophis, Sanzinia, Candoia, Corrallus, Erycinae, and Epicrates aren't listed on the bill (so the emerald boas and rainbow boas, the Dumeril's, sand, and amazon tree boas--these aren't on the bill).

I don't keep boas, and I don't have any giant snakes, but I will fight just as hard as the rest of you to kill this bill.

 

[kmarsh]

Thank You for all your help in fighting this bill. I do have a large boa a 7 foot redtail boa and a baby albino burmese. I had gotten these before I learned of this bill and have been fighting it every since. I was concerned because I also have a Hogg Island boa too but it won't get big. Still I would fight even if I didn't have them because its just wrong. I feel that most reptile keepers are responsible and if it wasn't so there would have been alot more incidents of loose snakes and stuff. I feel the goverment has way to much influence in our lives as it is. Thansk,

 

[snowgyre]

Some clarification: Hogg Island Boas, Central American Boas, Suriname Boas, Guyana Boas, Bolivian and Brazilian short-tailed Boas, Panamanian dwarf boas, and a few other island boas are ALL Boa constrictor. Boa constrictor is the actual scientific name for the red-tailed boa group. The specific boas I have listed above are ALL the same species, simply different subspecies, and therefore covered under any and all legislation that potentially bans or limits ownership of the species Boa constrictor.

So yes, your Hoggs would be illegal.

 

[kmarsh]

WEll hello there GA girl VAnessa Macon, GA here. ::::: waves:::::
Thank You for the clarification there. Thankfully we just defeated a potential ban here in GA but it was just in committee and was stopped but still watching. Seems like these bans just won't die, keep coming back at ya.

 

[snowgyre]

Yes, thank goodness the bill didn't pass in GA! Thank God for USARK. They really are on top of their game!! Apparently our representatives had no idea that so many people cared about snakes in GA until their inboxes were spammed with messages. ;-)

 

[Ken Foose]

The Battle Has Shifted

It appears there's not much of a threat anymore that Congress will play a hand in the python ban. The legislation is pretty much dead. Too many other things to worry about to mess with snakes. Now the front has shifted to the USFWS. They will now determine if the python ban happens or not. Plus, keep an eye down the road for the Senate to introduce their updated version of H669. It's coming again. Plus, a bit further down the road is a proposal to ban ALL non native amphibians from being imported into the US. And I'm sure there's going to be something after that, and after that, and after that. There will be no more sitting back and taking it easy. The fights are on, and will more then likely never stop ever again. Get used to it. There's not much you can do about the python ban, it's out of your hands now. It's going to be science versus science now, fact versus fiction. Most of you won't be involved. But when the Senate version of H669 comes out again, it will be time to fight for your lives, and the lives of your pets. Be ready. It's coming soon. Good luck to us all.

 

[Twizted Paths]

Ken, you gave me goose bumps... and not the good kind either

You're right absolutely though. We can't afford to be complacent, that's when we'll get nailed.

Progress in getting our pets to be better understood by the mainstream is happening, very slowly & with set backs, but it is happening. We need to use the set backs as an opportunity to re educate people on the actual facts instead of sensationalized superstitions.

Knowledge is power that grows with it's sharing. Every person we manage to stay calm with and teach is another person who can help us refute the ignorant fear mongering.

Also for those of you who don't know NatPET is helping us as well. Having an established organization who deals in protecting mainstream pet keepers rights on our side is a great step! If you guys get a chance shoot them a Thank You e mail so they know we appreciate them

 

[oldworldlife]

The legislation is pretty much dead. Too many other things to worry about to mess with snakes. Now the front has shifted to the USFWS. They will now determine if the python ban happens or not.

can you explain this more please? how can usfws have any control or any legislation say so??
aren't they just an enforcement agency ? that would be like the fire department telling you you can us fire to cook your food. what did I miss here?

Are you referring to 373 list of 9 as being dead in it's current state?

 

[WingedWolf]

It's the USFWS who was always supposed to have control over which species were added to the Lacey Act. They do a scientific evaluation of a species in order to determine if it poses a significant threat to the ecosystems of the US.
Here's a list of what is currently banned from importation:
http://www.fws.gov/news/newsreleases/LACYBANS.html

It's a relatively short list. Adding a species to this list is serious business.

 

[Ken Foose]

Donna summed it up perfectly. It's out of most of our hands now. Experts in our field will now defend us. It will be science versus science. Our side will have to convince the USFWS that the USGS report on constrictors is bogus and should not be considered as valid. Very few lay people will be involved in these debates (except for the really big boys in our field). As private parties, our focus should now be concentrated on the ban on imports of non native exotics. This will be the next real battle that we can all get involved in. We defeated it once, and it will take all of us to defeat it again. The next bill will be stronger and harder to beat, but if we all come together we can do it again. This bill might make it illegal to keep hamsters, much less just about every non native reptile and amphibian there is. I'm leaving the python ban to the top guys (no real choice), and I'll be putting all my efforts into fighting the non native ban. We'll have to send hundreds of thousands of letters to Congress again............when the time comes. So for now, sit back and watch and listen, and when you are told to act, do it. This does not mean going to a web site and pushing a button. It will mean phone calls, letter writing, face to face meetings with your representatives. Makes me tired just thinking about it all.

What you can do now: If you have a local herp society, join it. Get active and involved. If there's no herp society near you, start one, now. We must make our primary goal educating the public about reptiles and amphibians. Offer to give presentations at schools, boy scouts, birthday parties, anyplace you can think of. Be thoughtful and don't be stupid. Most people don't understand our passion for keeping herps. Don't scare them. Educate them. Get names and phone numbers of the people you talk to. We can use this information later to get them to write letters to Congress also. People are afraid of what they don't understand. Teach them. Make them understand. Get them on our side. We are all going to have to be teachers now, ambassadors to the public, educating them about what we do.

Start doing this now, and prepare to act when the time comes and you are instructed on what to do. It's more then likely going to happen before summer, so get prepared now. Get those herp societies churned up and ready for action. I was at the python summit in Chicago and this is exactly what Marshall from PIJAC said needed to be done. So let's do it.