[Not_liking_FL]

With the pythons wreaking havoc on the Everglades and expanding their range you would think Florida lawmakers would pass laws with stiffer penalties for people who illegally own dangerous reptiles. I don't know if other states have similar laws, but Florida has a major problem with invasive species and the perfect climate for them.

This latest news of a guy keeping cobras in Sarasota is kind of disturbing especially when you consider he's only facing a slap on the wrist. Why would anyone want to even keep something so dangerous in their home? Florida needs to pass laws with severe consequences for these people.

FWC officers seize venomous reptiles, arrest Sarasota man

[Spring Hillian]

Originally Posted by Not_liking_FL

With the pythons wreaking havoc on the Everglades and expanding their range you would think Florida lawmakers would pass laws with stiffer penalties for people who illegally own dangerous reptiles. I don't know if other states have similar laws, but Florida has a major problem with invasive species and the perfect climate for them.

This latest news of a guy keeping cobras in Sarasota is kind of disturbing especially when you consider he's only facing a slap on the wrist. Why would anyone want to even keep something so dangerous in their home? Florida needs to pass laws with severe consequences for these people.

FWC officers seize venomous reptiles, arrest Sarasota man

Owning venomous snakes requires a special license issued by the state of Florida. A minimum requirement is 1,000 hours working with snakes is required to be considered for one.

Florida is home to about fifty or so kinds of snakes. There are only 6 species of dangerous snakes in Florida. If you encounter a snake and you are unsure whether it is dangerous or not you should avoid it. Real easy to avoid them.

Florida has over 500 invasive species of various kinds. We only have 4 invasive snake species.
Javan Filesnake
Common Boa constrictor
Burmese Python
Brahminy Blind Snake

Only the Python and the Boa constrictor are "established".

People keep all kinds of pets. The odds of being attacked by a Pit Bull dog are much greater than
being attacked by a snake. Snakes dont attack people. People come into contact with them by not being careful and get snakebites. Avoid them by not hiking through the Everglades and swamps
and you should be OK in FL.

[vaughanwilliams]

The list is long of invasive animals and plants that have taken hold in Florida. It's one thing to keep exotics in North Dakota, but Florida is the LAST state where it should be allowed.


Michael Markarian: Close the loophole on exotic snakes

On second thought-ban exotics in all states.

[Spring Hillian]

Instead of being worried about snakes in FL

Pest Alert: Venomous Spiders In Florida / Pest Alerts / Plant Industry Publications / Plant Industry / Divisions & Offices / Home - Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

[Not_liking_FL]

Originally Posted by Spring Hillian

Owning venomous snakes requires a special license issued by the state of Florida. A minimum requirement is 1,000 hours working with snakes is required to be considered for one.

Florida is home to about fifty or so kinds of snakes. There are only 6 species of dangerous snakes in Florida. If you encounter a snake and you are unsure whether it is dangerous or not you should avoid it. Real easy to avoid them.

Florida has over 500 invasive species of various kinds. We only have 4 invasive snake species.
Javan Filesnake
Common Boa constrictor
Burmese Python
Brahminy Blind Snake

Only the Python and the Boa constrictor are "established".

People keep all kinds of pets. The odds of being attacked by a Pit Bull dog are much greater than
being attacked by a snake. Snakes dont attack people. People come into contact with them by not being careful and get snakebites. Avoid them by not hiking through the Everglades and swamps
and you should be OK in FL.

I think you missed the point I was trying to make about the lenient laws Florida has in place for people like the man in Sarasota. Just the python problem alone should have been a major wake up call.

There are only six dangerous snake species now, but what about the future? I recently saw a map(might have been here on CD) of the area were pythons are expanding in Florida. They can actually survive as far north as NC and maybe beyond, so it probably won't be too long before they're all over Florida. I agree with Vaughan that all exotics should be banned from the entire country.

[Spring Hillian]

Originally Posted by Not_liking_FL

I think you missed the point I was trying to make about the lenient laws Florida has in place for people like the man in Sarasota. Just the python problem alone should have been a major wake up call.

There are only six dangerous snake species now, but what about the future? I recently saw a map(might have been here on CD) of the area were pythons are expanding in Florida. They can actually survive as far north as NC and maybe beyond, so it probably won't be too long before they're all over Florida. I agree with Vaughan that all exotics should be banned from the entire country.

No, I didnt miss your point. FL requires a special permit to keep venomous snakes.


They also require drivers licenses for those who drive, require insurance on vehicles, have laws against texting while driving and many many other laws which are designed to keep the citizens safe.
However, there are many many people who disregard laws.

Like I said in my other post, the chances of running into a cobra, constrictor or any other snake in FL is pretty slim. If you go looking for them you might find them, but otherwise its not much of a problem.

You will never have boa constrictors grabbing people on Biscayne Blvd.

[Not_liking_FL]

Originally Posted by Spring Hillian

No, I didnt miss your point. FL requires a special permit to keep venomous snakes.


They also require drivers licenses for those who drive, require insurance on vehicles, have laws against texting while driving and many many other laws which are designed to keep the citizens safe.
However, there are many many people who disregard laws.

Like I said in my other post, the chances of running into a cobra, constrictor or any other snake in FL is pretty slim. If you go looking for them you might find them, but otherwise its not much of a problem.

You will never have boa constrictors grabbing people on Biscayne Blvd.

Yes, you did. This guy did not have a permit and I'm sure there are many more like him. His punishment is going to minor compared to the potential problems that could have been caused. Do you think the people who were dumping pythons in the everglades had these permits?

[Spring Hillian]

Originally Posted by Not_liking_FL

Yes, you did. This guy did not have a permit and I'm sure there are many more like him. His punishment is going to minor compared to the potential problems that could have been caused. Do you think the people who were dumping pythons in the everglades had these permits?

No, I didnt. I noted you stated he did not have a permit. I am sure that there are many many more like him. People keep all kinds of animals without the right permits. I had a friend who kept a small monkey.
It was a riot. As it got older it got very aggressive and it would bite people. He didnt know the monkey needed a female to stay normal. He had to give it to a zoo. Of course he had no permit. There was a guy in NYC who kept a tiger in his apartment.

I kept a 500lbs tiger in a tiny apartment - until he attacked me: one New Yorker's 'unique' relationship with an unusual pet | Mail Online


People do a lot of stupid things.

[Not_liking_FL]

Originally Posted by Spring Hillian

No, I didnt. I noted you stated he did not have a permit. I am sure that there are many many more like him. People keep all kinds of animals without the right permits. I had a friend who kept a small monkey.
It was a riot. As it got older it got very aggressive and it would bite people. He didnt know the monkey needed a female to stay normal. He had to give it to a zoo. Of course he had no permit. There was a guy in NYC who kept a tiger in his apartment.

I kept a 500lbs tiger in a tiny apartment - until he attacked me: one New Yorker's 'unique' relationship with an unusual pet | Mail Online


People do a lot of stupid things.

[Spring Hillian]

Originally Posted by Not_liking_FL

Happens in illinois too.

Exotic animals: Illinois considered to have strong ban on exotic animals, but there are exemptions - Chicago Tribune

Exotic Pets For Sale in Illinois - Hoobly Classifieds

North Carolina doesnt even seem to care............ NC has few regulations for keeping exotic animals :: WRAL.com