Where's the Beef?

RIGHT HERE!

[RANT]
I recall back in the early 80's when I bought my first 'exotic' pet snake. I was told that I could "regulate it's size with it's diet", because "snakes won't outgrow their food supply". WRONG!! Thankfully, the Columbian Red-Tail Boa doesn't reach an unmanageable size. However, I'm infuriated by the massive, state-funded snake hunts going on in Florida, simply because human nature tells me that nobody in their right mind would buy a "pet" that reaches 25 feet in length, weighs 250+ pounds, and eats a full-grown deer, pig or cow for lunch when it matures... unless they, too, have been told a lie. Personally, I think they should be shooting the pet store managers, and LOVINGLY capturing the snakes and shipping them back where they belong- in the jungle. The poor snakes are only doing what's necessary to survive... hunting food.

As far as I'm concerned, the pet trade is a scandal. How many times have I heard, "fish won't outgrow their environment"? And how many times have I seen here where someone was sold a fish or invert for which their tank was totally unsuitable? You paid the price, the animal suffered the consequences, but someone made their almighty dollar, didn't they?

Thankfully, we do have the means today to research potential pets... if we could only get everyone to use it before making a purchase.
[/RANT]

 

I totally agree it's cruel hat they are doing in Flordia. My father used to own a lot of snakes, ret-tail boas, rock pythons, ect. so growing up I developed a sence of respect towards snakes.

 

Well they just found four extremely large monitor lizards in the glades so snakes are just the beginning of our problems. I feel you Mr. Bill but really it is the people who regulate what the pet stores can and cannot sell who are to blame.
Invasion of the 7 Foot Nile Monitor Lizards

Large Lizards Invade Everglades - Miami News Story - WPLG Miami

 

I kind of agree with what Florida is doing, the invasive snakes are eating many native birds and have made many endangered. Although I also see where you're coming from, I read the same thing when I was comparing getting a Ball Python or Red Tail Boa. I think anyone trying to make a quick buck at an animal's expense or a habitat's expense is ridiculous. I'm just glad there are limits on species from most places on things like venomous snakes, sharks, rays, and the like or everyone would be getting one, putting it in a Rubbermaid bucket, just so they can tell their friends "Hey guys, I just bought a shark! Watch me feed it some live fish, then later I'll get another so they can fight!".

 

I'm certainly not advocating government regulations-- Hell, we all know where that will go; as long as you have the money to buy a permit from them, you're still good. We do, however, need some common sense intervention- some species are better left in their natural environment, for our own protection as well as theirs.

 

Plenty of blame to be shared but the exotic animal is the one paying the price for something it had no say in.

 

Exactly...

 

its happened once there called feral hogs LOL

and flordia is about the best enviroment for cold blodded creatures such as snakes and lizards.

do I agree with the thinning of the population yep, state bans a little more regulated yep

do I think its fair to the pets? NO!!! some people just dont need to have animals PERIOD!!!!

 

Mr, Bill I agree with you but, you know the the dollar rules, people will do things that makes no sense at all for it, there is something that they could do is, the zoo's across this country could take alot of these beautiful animals and really may a good home for them but that is a dream I guest. James