As an avid reptile fan and owner, I can sympathize with others who have the fascination with these amazing animals but all across the country bans on reptiles are being discussed or implemented. There are multiple reasons as to why all or only certain species of reptiles are banned in some areas from public safety to the protection of native wildlife. Public safety is a broad reason for banning a reptile. It can include protecting the people who want to own dangerous reptiles, protecting people from escaped reptiles, preventing diseases, or just preventing people who are terrified of reptiles from hurting themselves (I know someone who almost made a new exit through a window when I took out a snake from across the room).
As a wildlife management major, I feel that it is very important to protect native species. While banning certain reptiles from the pet trade could be very effective, it would not be popular with people. Restrictions on potentially dangerous species in regions where they could possibly thrive would be fairer to people who are willing to take the extra steps to be responsible owners. With restrictions like permits, less people would be inclined to own them and it would be much harder for escaped or released reptiles to start a population in the wild. Not all reptile bans can be bad for enthusiasts though. The new ban on four large snake species (the Burmese python, the two species of African rock pythons, and the yellow anaconda) stop the importation of these snakes into the country. It is still legal to own the captive bred animals from a breeder within your state. The ban only stops people from buying these snakes from people who catch them in the wild and captive breeders outside the country. This protects the wild populations of the species in its native range at least from Americans wanting cheap prices on the reptiles.
It is understandable that Florida is one of the first to enact a reptile ban because of the python problem they are having in the everglades, but bans on owning reptiles in cities in the northern most parts of the country? It doesn’t make sense from an ecological stand point. The reason the Burmese pythons flourish in the everglades is because it’s so similar to their natural habitat on the other side of the world. But to ban reptiles in northern parts of the country because of the fear of what is happening in Florida is nonsense. Different climates limit how well reptiles can survive in a habitat. For example, the tropical Burmese pythons wouldn’t be able to survive a winter if they escaped into a habitat that had a colder climate than what regions they were naturally found in (which means knowing their realized and potential niches in their native range). Most reptiles wouldn’t be able survive in the wild unless they happened to be native to that area or to a similar climate.
While reptile bans differ between states, and even communities, they are increasing in number. The reasons are many, but it is essential to look them under the microscope to find out why they are coming up, where they will be in effect, and how will it affect people.
2 comments:
Nice post. I think the biggest idea is that each case needs to be look at individually, as you said. It is irrational to think that a population of escaped pythons will establish itself in Wisconsin; however, I do think that there should be more regulation for owning these animals. The idea that someone even has the opportunity to release these snakes raises concern. If someone is irresponsible enough to think that this is the best way to handle the animal, this person should not have been allowed to own it in the first place. I think that case-by-case regulation would go a long way to help to solve this problem.
I agree that they shouldnt be banned in places that they stand no chance of starting their own population in the wild because of the habitat type. It is nessasary for the ban in places like Florida. Reptiles are cool pets. I think that if they pose no threat to the environment there shouldn't be any problems in having them as pets.
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