Questions that haven't been answered yet. If S373 passes:

What I want to know...

What will owners of boas and pythons be expected to do? Will we be expected to kill our pet snakes?

What will large breeders be expected to do? Kill their 40,000 snakes? Or should they continue housing and feeding them until they die (in 20+ years) while receiving no income?

What will owners of boas and pythons be expected to do if we move to another state? Release them into the wild? Kill them? We won't be permitted to sell them to friends...

What will large breeders do to provide for their families? Go bankrupt and then go on welfare?

Will the government come arrest the newly created criminals? (You KNOW these snakes are our children).

Will cats be banned next? They are the most widely-spread injurious NON-NATIVE animals in the USA. Cats kill birds. (Sounds stupid, doesn't it?)

~4 million boas & pythons already in captivity would be rendered valueless overnight with no provisions for disposition or compensation

How much of my tax dollar$ will be wa$ted to attempt to control the new python black market?

Do you REALLY think we'll give up our pets? Do you REALLY think we'll give up our businesses?

Will you come take me to jail for refusing to give up my "children?"

Will you come take me to jail for continuing to breed my snakes?

S373 implies that science has little value in policy decision making. Phobias and prejudices are obviously more important.

And if you're going to use science, be sure to use controversial science.

S373 also implies that the State of Florida doesn't have the competency to manage its natural resources.

I am posting the following bulletin on myspace:

Unless you've been following me on twitter or facebook.. you've been missing me being on the warpath! :(

The senate has passed S373, purposely ignoring scientific data, not to mention receiving 50,000 snail mail letters, phone calls, emails, faxes, tweets (Yes, I tw...eet politicians). And yes, I am HOLDING BACK on my anger.... this is a family show here...

If you are a snake enthusiast and want to see what's going on... check out http://usark.org Click the "Reptile Nation" link. The 1st forum has important info. Also, feel free to follow me http://twitter.com/snakelady

In addition, PDF file summarizing everything about the python ban:
http://bit.ly/61hhZ1

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TEN COMMANDMENTS of BIG SNAKE ownership

Note: The TEN COMMANDMENTS of BIG SNAKE ownership was originally submitted by snakelady on February 3, 2007 at MySpace. I have made some updates.

This list of "Commandments" is intended for owners of "The Big Five" but also applies to most other snakes.

"The Big Five"
1. Burmese Python
2. Reticulated Python
3. African Rock Python
4. Australian Scrub Python
5. Anaconda


For your learning pleasure, I present to you the


TEN COMMANDMENTS of BIG SNAKE ownership


1. Thou shalt ALWAYS WASH YOUR HANDS (and maybe change your clothing) especially after handling other snakes or other animals!

i) To protect your snake from diseases and parasites

ii) To protect yourself from attack. Realize that snakes act on instinct.

IF YOU SMELL LIKE PREY, YOU ARE POTENTIAL PREY!

2. Thou shalt NOT FEED NOR HANDLE YOUR BIG SNAKE NOR OPEN YOUR BIG SNAKE'S CAGE WHEN YOU'RE ALONE!

It’s a good idea to have at least 1 person present per 5 feet of snake; preferably 1 person per 3 feet of snake for pythons & anacondas.

3. Thou shalt KNOW WHAT TO DO IF YOUR BIG SNAKE EVER GRABS AND WRAPS YOU

You or your buddies should do one or more of the following:

i) POUR ALCOHOL on your snake's head/mouth (any kind: drinking alcohol (vodka, rum, tequila, everclear, etc), MOUTHWASH, last resort: rubbing alcohol)

Note: Mouthwash is great because it causes a biting snake to release; you can disinfect wounds with it; and after having your nasty arm in its mouth, your snake may wish to gargle.

ii) POUR HOT TAP WATER on the snake

NOT BOILING! You'll injure your snake AND yourself!

iii) PULL THE SNAKES TAIL OPPOSITE THE WAY IT'S SUPPOSED TO BEND.

The snake's tail is like your little finger. If you can grasp it, pull it the opposite way that it normally bends, and the snake will notice.

iv) POUR COLD or ICE WATER (or any cold drink) on the snake

Cold water is the least effective technique.

4. Thou shalt KEEP YOUR BIG SNAKE SECURELY LOCKED IN AN ESCAPE-PROOF ENCLOSURE!

5. Thou shalt NOT ALLOW YOUR BIG SNAKE TO ROAM FREELY IN A ROOM OCCUPIED BY HUMANS (or other animals)!

6. Thou shalt BE EDUCATED & EDUCATE OTHERS!

7. Thou shalt KNOW YOUR SNAKE!

Like all animals and humans, every snake has it's own personality and idiosyncrasies.

8. Thou shalt RESPECT THE SNAKE! RESPECT A BIG SNAKE'S POWER!

9. Thou shalt NOT GET COCKY OR COMPLACENT around Big Snakes!

10. Thou shalt LEARN FROM PAST stupid MISTAKES (your own as well as other people's)

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