Today Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced a federal ban on 4 species of injurious snakes. Ostensibly this was done to protect the Florida Everglades which some people claim has become the home to hundreds of thousands of invasive Burmese Pythons. Before we get into why that claim is bogus we’ll take a look at what exactly this ban means, what snakes were banned, what snakes face a ban in the future, and what led us to this point today.

What does the snake ban mean?

Before the average snake keeper panics let me be perfectly clear. This ban will in no way, shape or form impact you. Unless…

• You move across state lines:
  If you own one of the 4 banned species of snakes you will not be able to transport it, or its eggs across state lines once the ban goes into effect
• You plan to (re)patriate to the United States:
  Short and not-so-sweet fact is that once the ban becomes official you will not be able to bring one of the four banned snakes into the United States. Anywhere.
• You had plans to begin breeding and selling these snakes:
  Since you can’t move these snakes or their eggs across state lines (or into the United States) you will lose the vast majority of your potential buyers.

The real impact of this ban will be shouldered by small business owners who breed, raise and sell these snakes for their livelihood. There are some breeders who have invested everything into these snakes. Time, money, blood, sweat and even tears. This ban has, with the stroke of a pen, wiped out hundreds if not thousands of businesses across the United States. For as many businesses as it has destroyed it has greatly harmed many, many more.

Let’s look at this logically and you draw your own conclusions -

Acme Snake Breeders (ASB)specializes in proving out Burmese Python morphs. In order to produce a line of morphs that is unique in the snake world they have invested tens of thousands of dollars in buying Burmese pythons from other breeders. They have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on climate controlled facilities to ensure the snakes have an optimal environment to live in. This money is spent with small businesses that design, manufacture and sell things like heat tape, caging, and thermostats. ASB also spends thousands of dollars a month buying food for the snakes from small businesses that specialize in breeding and selling feeders.

Now instead of one business going under consider that this ban will result in hundreds of businesses going under. While I don’t agree with some who claim the economic impact will be catastrophic there is no doubt it will be huge. Particularly for the businesses and families directly impacted by the ban.

Some of your reading this might wonder why ASB doesn’t just switch to breeding a species of snake that has not been banned. The problem with that is that they likely have very little money to invest on starting a new line of designer morphs using another species of snake. Remember the market has just been torn out from under them due to this ban. The hundreds of thousands of dollars in inventory they were sitting on has just become worthless from a business standpoint. After all who is going to invest in a $10,000 snake when their is virtually no chance of selling the offspring to make any of that money back? In other words they have all kinds of money tied up in inventory that they can no longer liquidate. Years of breeding and proving out genetics has just been flushed down the crapper. All due to ignorance that allowed this ban to pass.

The banned snakes

The following four species of snakes were banned under this ruling:

• Burmese Pythons
• Yellow Anacondas
• *Northern and Southern African Rock Python

*: Note that the African Rock Python is one species with the Northern and Southern sub-species both being banned

Snakes that face an uncertain future

Originally the intent was to ban a total of 9 species of snake (pet snakes opposes s373). Due in large part to the efforts of individuals and organizations such as US Association of Reptile Keepers (USARK) 5 of the intended targets were removed from the list. However it would be the very peak of ignorance to assume that those five species are safe from future efforts to ban them. In fact the President and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States (Wayne Pacelle) has openly declared his organizations displeasure that the ban of the 4 species included did not go far enough.

The Humane Society of the United States is disappointed that the Obama administration dramatically weakened an Interior Department proposal to list nine species of large constrictor snakes as “injurious” under the Lacey Act, which would prohibit importation and interstate movement of these deadly non-native snakes as pets…

“This rule was swallowed up in the federal bureaucracy for 22 months, and put through a political meat grinder, leaving us with a severely diminished final action,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS, which was one of dozens of groups pushing for the enactment of the original proposal. “We expect trade to shift to the species omitted from the trade ban, and we can only hope that the Interior Department takes a careful look and revisits the issue.”
HSUS comment on ban of only 4 species of snakes

Secretary Salazar has not ruled out a possible inclusion of more snakes in the future.

Salazar said his agency his “going after those species that present the greatest threat right now” and that five other species are being scrutinized scientifically and for the economic implications of banning those as well.
DOI: scrutinizing 5 more species of snakes

In addition to the Department of the Interior’s Salazar and the HSUS’s Pacelle there are a number of so-called animal welfare and environmental special interest groups who are not pleased with only four snake species being banned. In short they all believe that the reptile industry in the United States has over estimated our value which caused the Obama administration to err on the side of caution.

How we got to where we are

We didn’t reach this point by accident. This was a perfect storm of public outcry, political pandering, irresponsible ownership and a flash point known as the Florida Everglades.

Initially the public demand to ban these snakes was pretty weak. Sure, there were special interest groups who made a lot of noise but this was an issue largely under the radar of the general public. That all changed due to two incidents that occurred 5 months and 1100 miles apart. The first incident involved a chimpanzee named Travis who attacked and severely maimed a woman in Connecticut and the second involved 2 year old Floridian Shaunia Hare who was killed by an eight foot Burmese python improperly kept by her mother and step-father.

When Travis the chimp attacked Charla Nash it put the owners of exotic animals in general in the spotlight. The state of Connecticut, in typical knee-jerk fashion, not only decided to start enforcing a ban on private ownership of exotic animals that had been in place since 2003 but also made the law more restrictive. It was at this point that the general American public got a first hand glimpse of how dangerous exotic animals could be when not properly cared for.

Later that same year 2 year old Shaunia Hare was killed by a Burmese python while she slept in her crib. It just happened to be that Senator Bill Nelson (D) of Florida was making another attempt to get a ban on large constrictor snakes enacted when this tragedy unfolded. And in true political fashion Mr. Nelson seized the opportunity afforded him by the girls death.

It is no secret that groups like the Humane Society of the United States have deep pockets. Pockets with money that politicians and other organizations love to get their hands on. But no one will claim that the HSUS did this alone. Many groups came together in an effort to foist this ban on the American public. Especially environmental and animal rights groups.

I would be remiss not to spend some time pointing the finger where it most needs pointing. At snake owners and breeders who were more concerned with turning a profit than protecting their animals. It was the breeders who sold large and potentially dangerous snakes to people who had no business keeping them. It was the owners who did not educate themselves on what was required to keep a 15 foot, 250 pound snake safely. It was the breeders that didn’t spend a second their time educating the buyer about what to expect. It was the owner who after 18 to 24 months realized the 18 inch cute little worm was now upwards of 8 to 10 feet and overpowering grown men. It was the breeders who flooded the market with these snakes to make a quick dollar. It was the breeders and the owners who instead of euthanizing the snakes turned them loose in the Everglades.

Clearly the above does not apply to all breeders or all owners. In fact it applies to a small minority of them, but the damage done has impacted everyone.

A call to action
This is so simple it shouldn’t even need to be said. Contact your Senators and your Congress men/women and tell them why you oppose the ban. Remember, this is a ruling by the Interior department not an act of Congress. Yes, it is legally binding and yes you do have to follow it, but you can mobilize your politicians to step in and put and end to it.

Some other sites might construct you a letter to use when contacting your representative, or the President but we won’t do that here. If you really want your voice counted you will put into your own words why you oppose this ban and how it affects you and your family on a personal level. You’ll make an emotional connection with your statement and your representative will look at it in a whole different light. Remember Senator Nelson of Florida wanted to get lawmakers to enact a ban but when they wouldn’t do so he circumvented the process by bringing the Department of the Interior into play. Return the favor and get the lawmakers involved once again.

Related posts:

1. Pet-snakes.com opposes S373 (and so should you) because it is not based on credible science
2. Using social networking to save our pet snakes

This morning I came across a news article about a man in Canada who had nearly 200 reptiles. The man recently died and
did not have any kind of will to instruct others what was to become of the animals. Making matters worse his estranged common-law wife is said to have signed an agreement to donate the animals to a local zoo, but before that could happen the humane society came in and seized the animals. You can read the full details about this particular story here.

No one wants to leave their reptiles in the position that Mr. Fortyn left his due to poor planning. The old saying goes that the only thing sure in life is “death and taxes”. It was irresponsible of him not to have drawn up a legal will with specific instructions.

What to include in the will

A will is designed to protect your assets, including snakes, after you pass away. Be sure to leave very specific instructions about what should happen to your reptiles. Spell out exactly who should get what animals and any terms or conditions they must meet. Ask the people who are going to get your snakes before you sign them up for it. Assume that when the time comes some people won’t be able to take them and have an alternate plan in place.

Make up a living will

You should also draw up a living will to protect your snakes if it turns out you are incapacitated due to illness or injury. It should also detail who is going to be responsible for your reptile collection.

As a final note be sure that your will is drawn up by a professional or use software such as Quicken WillMaker Premium 2011 with Living Trust Maker software. Don’t try to be thrifty and save money. It’s a document that needs to stand up under scrutiny if people begin fighting over your snakes.

Have you considered making a will to protect your pet snakes and other animals?

No related posts.

Learning to identify the snakes you are likely to come into contact with is both educational and important in the case of venomous species. Some species of snake, such as the rattlesnake subspecies, are easily identifiable even by those who have never seen one before. Unfortunately the vast majority of snakes are not so easy to recognize and this leads to confusion often resulting in the snake being killed out of fear that it might be venomous.

I’m going to show you how to identify snakes in your local area based on 6 factors:

1. Known species in the area
2. Coloration
3. Patterns
4. Size
5. Body shape
6. Head shape

Before we get into those subjects I need to address a myth about identifying venomous snakes. That is, venomous snakes have elliptical eyes.

This isn’t so much a myth as it is a misunderstanding. With the exception of the Coral Snake venomous snakes found in the United States do have elliptical eyes. Go outside of the US however and that rule proves to be useless. It is more accurately stated that Pit Vipers have elliptical eyes, but saying all venomous snakes have them is false. Elapids such as the Cobra and the Boomslang have round pupils. The rule works so well in the United States because the most commonly encountered venomous species are pit vipers.

Identification of snakes even for the well trained observer can at times prove difficult. The goal with this article is to give you some tips to help in the process. If you aren’t absolutely positive that the snake you have seen is not venomous do not attempt to pick it up or otherwise harass it.

What species are known to live in the area?
This is the first place you should start in your effort to determine what species of snake you are looking at. If you’re in the middle of Ghana for instance you know that the California King snake isn’t likely to show up. At the same time you’re very likely to come across a Ball Python if you happen to be digging around in termite mounds in Ghana.

This isn’t fool proof to determine if a snake is or isn’t of a particular species. Due to human colonization of almost every bit of inhabitable land on the planet it is not unheard of for species of flora and fauna, including snakes, to end up where they didn’t originally exist.

What color is the snake?
The most easily observable aspect of a snake is its color. Even before you see the shape of its body you can see the coloration. You should look to see if it is:

• Multicolored
• Muted colors
• Vibrant colors

Color alone won’t allow you to identify most snakes (exceptions made for one of a kind species such as the Brazilian Rainbow Boa) but it does help to narrow down the list of possible species.

What patterns and shapes are the colors in?
This is a very important aspect of identifying snakes. Every species has unique patterns that when you know what to look for make it much easier to tell what kind of snake it is. A good example is the Scarlet King snake and the Coral Snake. They both have very similar colors and it is the pattern these colors appear in that makes them identifiable one from the other. A popular mnemonic verse goes “Red touch black, venom lacks. Red touch yellow, kill a fellow”. Scarlet kings have red, black and yellow bands as do Coral snakes, but the colors appear in a different combination.

Often the patterns and shapes of a snakes colors are so distinct that it is easy to tell what kind of snake it is just by a casual glance. A prime example is the Boa Constrictor. Regardless if it is Boa Constrictor constrictor or imperator the general patterns alone give it away as a Boa Constrictor.

What size is the snake?
This can be misleading for a variety of reasons including the fact that age plays a huge role in how large a snake is at the time you see it. However it is still an important weapon in the arsenal of identification. Apply the rule of common sense when it comes to snake sizes and identifying species. If you observe a 15 foot long snake, regardless of the patterns it isn’t going to be a Corn Snake. It could well be a Reticulated Python or a Burmese Python but it won’t be a Corn Snake.

What is the overall shape of the snake?
This is another aspect of a snake that can be misleading as far as identifying species is concerned but it is worth a mention. The general shape of the snake can help to determine what species it is. When talking about the shape of a snake in this instance it is referring to their roundness. Look to see if it is:

• Normal:
  Snakes that are normal or typical in their bodily appearance have a medium build. They are more or less round, not especially stout or noticeably slender. A King snake is a good example of having the normal body shape.
• Slender:
  A slender snake will appear skinny when you look at it. Not emaciated, but skinny. A Coachwhip is a good example of the slender body shape.
• Stout:
  A stout snake looks chubby. When you see it you might think it is overweight and if you didn’t know better that would be a forgivable offense. A Ball Python is a good example of the stout body shape.

What is the shape of the snakes head?
The shape of the head can play a key role in the ID of a snake. Some species have very distinct characteristics when it comes to head shape. You should observe if the head is:

• The same size as the body:
  Some snakes have no discernible necks which makes it appear as if the body and the head are all one piece. King snakes are a good example.
• Slightly larger than the body:
  The head can be distinguished from the body but it is not such a large difference as to be glaring. The Garter Snake is a good example.
• Much broader than the body:
  The head is noticeably larger than the body of the snake, often reminiscent of an arrow head. The Green Tree Python is a good example.

By looking at all six of these aspects we are able to better determine the species of snake we are looking at. As was stated earlier the identification of snakes, especially unfamiliar species, is best left to experts. If you don’t know what kind of snake you are attempting to handle the outcome could be grim.

Related posts:

1. Microchipping your pet snake
2. Keep your pet snake warm
3. What to do if your pet snake is sick

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently launched a new website dedicated to cutting down the estimated 100,000 deaths caused by envenomation by deadly snakes. In addition to deaths caused by being bitten by venomous snakes WHO estimates there are upwards of 2.5 million people who are maimed by being bitten. Even if one doesn’t die from being envenomed you might have to contend with a host of other issues including:

• Paralysis caused by neurotoxic venom
• Hemorrhaging caused by hemotoxic venom
• Kidney failure
• Tissue damage caused by necrosis which can lead to amputation of the effected limb

Needless to say being bitten by a venomous snake is a serious matter. Often we like to compare which snake is the deadliest in terms of how potent their venom is but any venomous snake has the potential to kill a person. In first world nations such as the United States medical care is usually available very rapidly and getting people the antivenins needed is relatively simple. However in third world and developing nations they often don’t have the resources, knowledge, or finances to provide the required treatments to victims of snake bites. This new WHO database will be used to assist medical professionals and others all over the world in saving lives.

You can read more about the database at the official WHO venom database.

Related posts:

1. Useless tool: The snake bite kit
2. Rattlesnake bites 2nd man in Florida
3. Treat non-venomous snake bite

For people with ophidiophobia (aka: ophiophobia), a fear of snakes, finding a way to control snakes is important. They are creatures of habit and tend to be attracted to areas where there is food, and shelter. Snakes are controlled by manipulating their environment so it isn’t appealing to them. There are several steps to make an area less than desirable. No method used alone will control the snake population in your backyard, but everything used together will.

Take care of your yard to control the snakes
Cleanliness is next to Godliness when it comes to controlling where snakes go in your yard. Clean up the clutter that provides them with nooks and crannies to hide in. Start at the furthest point away from your home.

• Break up piles of debris
  Wood, grass clippings, metal, trash – it all has to go. Snakes rest and hunt in piles of debris. Don’t scatter it around, get rid of it. This helps control the snake population in two ways: 1) it gets rid of many of the hiding areas that snakes take advantage of. 2) rodents, which snakes eat, also use debris for their shelter. By breaking up the shelters you’re discouraging rodents from being in the area.
• Cut your lawn
  Long grass and tall weeds provide cover for snakes that is just as appealing as piles of debris. You have to keep the lawn cut to control the snake population.
• Check your house
  You’ll want to make sure your house is well sealed so a snake can’t get in from the outside. Check the foundation for openings large enough for a snake to get in and if you find any seal it closed. More than one snake has managed to get inside a home despite various control methods because of holes in the foundation.

Take care of the snake food
Your next step in getting control of snakes is to take away any food they eat. This difficult and time consuming but it is essential. If a snake can’t find food to eat it isn’t going to stay around very long.

• Rodent removal
  Many snakes eat mice, rats and other rodents. Remove them and you eliminate their food source. Here’s a few methods of rodent control:
  • Cats provide good rodent removal services. It costs to take care of a cat, but most of them are worth their weight in gold when it comes to mice and smaller rats.
  • A pest control company can come to your home and do the work for you. Often this involves setting out traps and poison to kill the rodents. Beware if you have family pets or children. The poison and the traps don’t discriminate.
  • You can do the work yourself. You can set your own traps, lay your own poison, clear your own debris and all the rest. It will probably take you much longer and be more of a trail and error situation but you won’t have to pay a professional to do it, or to take care of a cat.

One thing to consider about removing the rodents in order to remove the snakes is that the rodents will come back and reestablish themselves which will bring the snakes back. In short it makes rodents removal a temporary solution to the problem.

After everything else is done, yard and house is cleaned up and rodents are removed (as much as possible), if snakes are still out of control you can start setting out snake traps. These are just flat pieces of material, usually a cardboard, that has a sticky substance on it. The snake crawls on it and will get stuck on there. Some extermination companies will set these for you and have someone come around every few days to check them for snakes. Which means they deal with the snake instead of you having to do it for yourself.

Finally we will examine the idea that mothballs repel snakes. They don’t. There’s no scientific nor empirical evidence that mothballs have any use as a snake repellent. In fact there is no known snake repellent that works. It’s a simple as that. They are all scams. Even if one of them did work it would evaporate or be washed away almost immediately. If you want to test this for yourself go right ahead but you’ll have wasted both time and money.

It might seem overwhelming, especially if you are afraid of snakes and have a large population of them. But with steady directed effort you can bring your snake population under control. You’ll never completely eliminate them, nor would you want to because of the benefits they provide your local ecosystem. In the end cleaning up the debris, and removing the rodents will go a long way towards keeping populations of snakes under control.

Related posts:

1. How to keep snakes away from your home
2. Humanely trapping and removing snakes
3. Snake owners, the time has come to take responsibility