The fact that some exotic pets can easily adapt to new environment is one of the reasons they're in high demand. But this comes at a price since they can easily invade many habitats and cause irreparable damages.
Exotic pets have caused countless dollars worth of property damage and scaring the crap out of many-a-human who has discovered one of these sewer-exploring creatures in their toilet.
Some of these reptiles have wreaked ecological havoc by swallowing native birds, and in the Burmese python's case, mammals as large as deer.
Because of these environmental damages, 16 reptiles have been banned from being commercially bred in Florida.
“These animals are out there doing lots of damage,” Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation commissioner Robert Spottswood told Sarasota TV station WWSB.
The commission voted unanimously to ban a variety of python types, all tegu lizard species and green iguanas, among other problematic but beloved state pets, from being commercially bred beginning in three years’ time.
“It’s incumbent upon us to address it and do something. This might not be perfect, but it’s the best I’ve seen yet,” said Spottswood.
Green iguanas alone “cause considerable damage to infrastructure, including seawalls and sidewalks,” so much so that authorities have urged locals to kill them “whenever possible.” They’re also known for causing emotional damage by suddenly appearing in Floridian toilets.
List Of Banned Exotic Pets In Florida
The 16 reptiles banned in Florida include:
- Burmese pythons
- Reticulated pythons
- Scrub pythons
- Northern African pythons
- Southern African Pythons
- Amethystine pythons
- Green anacondas
- Nile monitor lizards
- Tegus (all species)
- Green iguanas.
What To Do If You Keep Any Of The Banned Exotic Pets
If you currently own the blacklisted exotic pets, there's good news for you.
According to the Division of Habitat and Species Conservation director Melissa Tucker, “No one will need to give up their pets.”
What this means is that, you can continue to keep your exotic pets but, you will not be allowed to replace them once they pass.
Can You Bring The Blacklisted Exotic Pets To Florida?
The sixteen exotic pet breeds that are banned in Florida will still be allowed to be brought into the state in the name of exhibition and research.
Exotic Pet Owners Are Unhappy About The Ban
The news of the ban doesn't go down well with many exotic pet owners.
Many pet owners are pushing back against the new rules regarding nonnative species: The United States Association of Reptile Keepers’ Florida Chapter and six individual plaintiffs are suing, alleging the new rules are beyond the scope of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation’s constitutional authorities.
“Banning these animals is punishing those same people that are out there, putting hours of work removing these invasive species,” self-described reptile keeper and educator Daniel Perez told WWSB.
Florida spends $8 million annually attempting to mitigate the invasive species, a number which pales sharply in comparison to the numbers for Florida’s reptile trade, which sees $50 to $200 million change hands annually over close to 4,000 scaly species.
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