Newsletter From USARK Received Today - Page 2

**millertime89** · 11-20-11, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

I don't really believe in those systems. It's very difficult to properly implement and regulate. It's very easy to keep snakes "underground" for lack of a better term.

My biggest issue with this all, and it may stem from being a parent, is that you may choose to put yourself in this dangerous position but no one else around you did. Your kids didn't, your neighbours didn't. It's more so an issue with venomous snakes as if EVER one gets out and kills someone it means that our hobby is more valuable than a human life? We put our enjoyment ahead of someone's innocent life? All for what? A 'cool" snake, the "rush" of dealing with death on a regular basis?

That little girl who died by a burm sure didn't choose to be in that situation.

regards to keeping them "underground": although I understand what you're getting at, people will ALWAYS find a way to get what they want. Be it large or venomous snakes or illegal drugs. A ban is not the right way to go about these types of things. Legalization and regulation of them is (drugs with regards to pot and other "harmless" [define it as you will, I'm not going to argue it, just using it as an example] recreational drugs). Many responsible keepers will comply with the rules, the government will make a little money, employ another person of two, and will allow those of us that wish, to keep the snakes that fascinate us.
The city of Des Moines, IA requires people keeping snakes over 6ft in length within the city limits to take a class before they can legally keep them, just an example. (Although IA has banned retics, but not burms or A.Rocks for whaterver reason...)
If they require a license, why can't they hire a person or two to do yearly, or every other year compliance checks. If you've ever looked at the price of enclosures for large snakes, they're not cheap, nobody is gonna put the large snakes in enclosures once a year just to pass a check, they'll keep them in there permanently since its such a large investment.

**Aaron_S** · 11-21-11, 09:22 AM

This is good debate but it'll end with agreeing to disagree at some point.

People don't buy large snake enclosures. They would make them, for next to nothing. Just as Stephen said, a glass tank with a wood lid on it was all they had for a burm.

A lot of places have tried regulation but I still stand by we should attempt a ban and see how it works. If it fails then so be it. I just know there's plenty of other large snake species for people to work with. I do understand what a retic does and can do how it seemingly has a higher intelligence. I've worked with them, and they are amazing but I don't believe they belong in someone's basement.

jarich · 11-21-11, 09:36 AM

I agree with Aaron again. The reality of the government regulation is that it just doesnt work. The government just wont spend the money to properly regulate it as its a minor issue in the scheme of things. I think it should be something like buying a gun. It should be difficult, expensive, and not something people can do on impulse. Thats fantastic that there is a course required in Des Moines; what a great idea!

I think it may eventually have to be something that is self regulated or we all risk losing it entirely. I wonder what the possibility would be of having a non profit organization that was in place for finding those who illegally keep them and confiscating the animals. It would be something that could possibly be paid for by breeders in exchange for them being allowed to breed these animals. (As a side note, I believe there are too many people breeding reptiles, again this should be a regulated activity)

Gungirl · 11-21-11, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarich

(As a side note, I believe there are too many people breeding reptiles, again this should be a regulated activity)

I agree 100%

stephanbakir · 11-21-11, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarich

(As a side note, I believe there are too many people breeding reptiles, again this should be a regulated activity)

The REALLY sad thing is, there are SO MANY wc imported normals coming in, even with so many breeders hatching them out that most normal hatchlings being hatched today end up being freezer pets or king cobra food... really sucks

That and WC animals are testy, for good reason. No wonder people get pissed and keep freaking that retics are dangerous... you get some dumbass who refused to pay an extra 15$ for a CBB f7+ animal for whatever reason and his snake nabbed him because it learned from a baby to defend itself.
INVEST IN GOOD BREEDERS

jarich · 11-21-11, 12:08 PM

Ya, and again, maybe there is the cure. Make it illegal to import without a zoo license/breeder permit, period. Any bred animals would have to be microchipped to keep breeders from importing more than they need. Just a thought.

**millertime89** · 11-21-11, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarich

Ya, and again, maybe there is the cure. Make it illegal to import without a zoo license/breeder permit, period. Any bred animals would have to be microchipped to keep breeders from importing more than they need. Just a thought.

I would support this 100%. While at Travis's place (retic breeder) he had 2 wild caught superdwarfs, they were VERY testy and he showed them to me and they immediately went strike pose, couldn't get within a few feet once that enclosure was open without getting a strike. There needs to be a fee associated with the import license as well so your average Joe Blow can't just go get one.

stephanbakir · 11-21-11, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millertime89

I would support this 100%. While at Travis's place (retic breeder) he had 2 wild caught superdwarfs, they were VERY testy and he showed them to me and they immediately went strike pose, couldn't get within a few feet once that enclosure was open without getting a strike. There needs to be a fee associated with the import license as well so your average Joe Blow can't just go get one.

Gota disagree, some of those average joe blow idiots are rich joe bloe idiots.

**millertime89** · 11-21-11, 09:19 PM

what is it with rich people being stupid?

jarich · 11-21-11, 09:24 PM

Ha! I'm afraid stupidity knows no bounds. It's EVERYWHERE

stephanbakir · 11-21-11, 09:25 PM

Not all rich people, but some.... like that lady who bought the retic off me... wtf vegetarian snakes...

**millertime89** · 11-22-11, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephanbakir

Gota disagree, some of those average joe blow idiots are rich joe bloe idiots.

I was thinking about this discussion this morning. I think the goal of having a fee associated with keeping wild caught animals is not to prevent people from buying them, but simply make it more financially sensible to purchase a CBB animal than a WC one. For the ease of my argument, I'm going to use your number of 15 dollars more for a CBB animal versus a WC one. Make the license or whatever it is 1-200 dollars so your average person decides its not worth it to spend that kind of money for just one WC animal. But breeders who will purchase multiple WC animals for a variety of reasons will still do it. Average Joe will spend the extra 15 dollars for a nice CBB animal rather than an extra hundred or two to get a WC one.