New python/boa ban in effect!?

[JeremyHuff]

Anyone know more about this?

Video - Breaking News Videos from CNN.com

[JeremyHuff]

Just found this too
Salazar Announces Ban on Importation and Interstate Transportation of Four Giant Snakes that Threaten Everglades

[qiksilver5]

Nevermind, read Salazar's memo and it says what I was going to... Not the best for any exotics keepers really.

[AshleyW]

I can't explain how tragic it is to loose the four.

Anything is worth a shot.

Here is a Change.org petition –
Animals Petition: over turn the python ban: over turn the python ban from 1-17-12 | Change.org

[zBrinks]

Keepers have 60 days (starting yesterday) to comply, I believe.

[jacobi]

A petition to the White House to overturn the ban. I cant believe it received so few signatures.

https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petition...n-ban/4wGFbc4Y

[billschwinn]

Originally Posted by jacobi

A petition to the White House to overturn the ban. I cant believe it received so few signatures.

https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petition...n-ban/4wGFbc4Y

Probably because most people realize this petition really won't be effective at this point in the process.

[Woodsman]

I am very much in favor of controlling invasive species. Many hobbyists seem not to recognize the dangers that non-native species of plants and animals pose to indigenous species in the U.S.

That said, a nation-wide, interstate ban seems like overkill to even me, as there are few other states where pythons pose a risk to become invasive. Perhaps the rule should be changed to limit ownership or transport into states that have habitats that would be suitable for invasive python species.

The percieved public fear of any species (which often seems to be the basis for much of this hysteria) would not be a good justification for such policy changes, as fear and science are usually very different things.

Richard. (P.S. It seems to me that small arboreal pythons and boas would be a greater risk to Everglades fauna, especially breeding colonial wading birds. Many endangered native bird species would be at risk if arboreal pythons and boas were to be released in South Florida).

[Ed]

Hi Richard,

I'm dubious that most arboreal pythons or boas are as much of a risk as a species that is a large terrestrial cryptic hunter. The colonial nesting birds already deal with arboreal snakes in Florida (ratsnakes for example are extremely arboreal).

I agree with the assessment that a total ban wasn't needed given that more and more data is pointing towards the burmese pythons from being unable to colonize further into the US.. making both papers by Rhoda et al even more controversial see for example http://www.bio.davidson.edu/people/m...Invs-print.pdf It does look like the current range and southern most Texas are the two most probable spots where they could survive given the probable genetic origins of the snakes.

And for those interested in the probable introduction scenario(s) see http://www.bio.davidson.edu/people/m...20BiolInvs.pdf... based on the modeling it looks like the population was introduced probably before 1990 (and possibly much earlier).

I'm with you on the hysteria thing but it is also clear that Florida is not really interested in removing the pythons despite all of the claims to the contrary since they have enacted a license requirement and a season to take burmese pythons of slightly more than a month during the time of the year the snakes are least likely to be moving around Python Permit Program . Typically if you want to control a invasive species, an aggressive removal plan is required.. and a month hunting season isn't really sufficient....

Some comments,

Ed

[Ed]

Originally Posted by billschwinn

Probably because most people realize this petition really won't be effective at this point in the process.

Not to mention to many long-time reptile people, the whole mantra that you don't want to draw the goverment's attention....
As Bill noted, the time for petitions is past. It is going to take someone with deep pockets to sue the goverment for overreaching (although it is totally within thier jurisdiction to determine and list species as being invasive.. we have many past examples of where it was done under very similar conditions see my post here Stand Together - Exotic Keepers for examples.

Ed