TO ALL REPTILE OWNERS!?

This seems a bit extreme. We already have the Lacey act and CITES to protect populations of threatened and endangered species. The only good that H.R. 6311 might do is cut back on the exotics being released outside their ranges. That would leave more room for red-eared sliders to take over bodies of water from the turtles that are native to them.

Presumably, the restriction would not apply to zoos. However, I recall that house cats are not native to the U.S. Feral cats and dogs probably do more damage to the environment than all the released exotic reptiles and amphibians put together. Add in the native RES, and you could have more environmental damage than from all exotic wildlife together.

There must be a way to control the release of snakeheads, walking catfish, and monk parakeets (and the like), without putting every tropical fish store out of business. H.R.6311 does not seem to be the way.

I think the australian herpers are the best ones to speak to about this. Their laws are very restrictive nothing gets in or out of the country legally. To keep a reptile they are supposed to be licensed and even then they can only keep native species.

Here in the UK we are facing more and more difficulties bringing in American species, sceloporus and crotaphys are like gold dust. I have started captive breeding programmes of many US species of lizard to hopefully meet the demand when they can no longer be imported.

If we were hit the hobby would be gone overnight, most of our wildlife is protected and there isn't much choice to start with.

How about introducing a licence scheme where responsible owners could purchase a licence to then enable them to purchase an imported animal. I know there would be people blatantly flouting the law and not doing this but at least if the hobby started to police itself it could prevent the idiots who buy 2 reticulated pythons to keep until they get too big to handle then dump under cover of darkness.

Being on Y/A makes me realise that there are far too many idiots who see reptiles as cheap and disposable pets, they are the cause of the problem not the idiots in white houses.

If a licence cost a months salary, then an iguana or burmese python the same there would be no monsters in the everglades.

To my mind the only way forwards is to take a step backwards and look at what the general population sees, look after ourselves instead of trying to get others to do it for us. I'd willingly pay a months salary for a licence if it stopped the cruelty that happens on a daily basis to our beloved pets

Well spoken lain L

..........And then you have the "hot" snakes that are completely legal in some states without even a registered permit. I think that there should be a hefty fee to purchase a permit to own any hot animal and all that money should then go to a state venombank. This would discourage numerous people and help with the "accidents". Also, once bit and your done, end of story.........there are too many "hot" inexperienced keepers that ruin the hobby and attract all the negative publicity. I've been to places in FL and literally witnessed a 16 year old walk up and buy a copperhead from some vendor...no questions asked. Negative publicity like this just fuels the fire.

This is a very touchy issue with no easy answer. Everyone is not responsible, informed, or educated on the animal they own.

Yes, I enjoy the privilege of breeding reptiles in my own home. Some of them are not native.

But I see SO much reptile abuse on this forum alone. There are entirely too many people getting exotic pets who have no clue of the proper care, or don't research the adult size, or just become bored, or can't afford to feed their growing reptile's appetite, and end up with unwanted pets which they turn loose into the environment (or kill, or attempt to kill).

These invasive species displace native species (i.e. amevias & burns in Fla., RES's coast to coast, just to name a few) and can be detrimental to the environment.

No one is out there protecting these reptiles from abuse. I'd like to have a $1 (I'd be rich by now) for every Q I've answered with an additional something like, "I only paid $20 for the Leo. I'm not wasting $150 at the vet! It can die, and I'll just get another one." It's too sad.

You let someone say some thing like that about a kitten or puppy (or even mention feeding a kitten to a snake), and the whole world is in an uproar. But, no one cares about that poor Leo. Nothing is done to protect the reptile. It's not a furry little cuddly thing to most people. Down the toilet it goes, or in the trash, without a thought...

I feel instigating a strident basic care test before obtaining an animal, and requiring a license/registration of the animal would help a great deal with this issue.

Failing that (and people bulked at that control last bill attempt), maybe the only way to end the problem is to stop the import of non-native species.

Have I written my congressman or gov. officials? No, I haven't.

As for "Are you doing your part?" Yes, I am. You wouldn't believe the damage and illness I deal with and see rehabbing unwanted reptiles the owners have abused, attempted to kill, or abandoned. No one helps me pay their food bill. No one helps me provide medication. I certainly don't get an hourly wage and some of the reptiles take months to recover, if they recover at all.

Have you ever seen a ball python with cigarette and cigar burns? I have. Have you ever seen a snake or lizard blistered by a light because the owner couldn't be bothered to monitor it? I have. Have you ever seen a burmese python some one has deliberately poured battery acid on, attemting to kill it? I have. TWICE, and that is two times TOO many.

This question barely touches the tip of this iceburg.

It is simply not a black and white issue about allowing imported species.

what would be the point pea brained governors don't listen to letters from the public they would rather argue which is more important baning alcohol or lowering the speed limit