If many other reasons are needed for allowing the responsible private keeping of venomous reptiles by knowledgeable and qualified individuals, they would certainly entail both what the private sector has been able to accomplish, and what it can bring to the table in terms of what it has, and can contribute to our ever increasing body of scientific knowledge and understanding of all aspects of these animals, both in the wild and in captivity, from their biology and natural history, to their reproductive behaviors and habits.
In other words, it is the private sector which has perhaps made the greatest strides in understanding, and even discovering new or previously unknown or poorly understood behaviors of these animals. Although many public zoos and other facilities certainly also do tremendous work in the areas of education and conservation, they simply lack the collective funding, space, and other resources needed to protect, conserve, and propagate in captivity every species, particularly those in greatest conservation need.
In fact, the private venomous reptile keeping sector is the entity which funds, supports, and provides animals for research, display, or other captive breeding purposes for not only public zoos and institutions, but in many cases, also for venom extraction and research facilities, museums, and many other public and private educational and research institutions.
These entities have all been equated to a stacked deck of cards, in which the private sector is represented by the cards at the lower, or bottom of the pyramid. As could be expected, if these cards are ultimately removed, the entire pyramid can be expected to collapse. Furthermore, it must also be remembered that most, if not all individuals in the zoological, as well as many other related public sector fields earned their start in the private sector at some point or another and in some form or another.
How many people who have developed a professional interest or career in venomous herpetology began their endeavors by catching and keeping toads and garter snakes, or by intensely liking dinosaurs as a child?
These are many of the same traits and characteristics many individuals, whether they are in the public or private sector have in common. These are all answers to the previously asked questions as to why anyone would want, or need a venomous reptile.
The answer to this has thus been shown to be quite simple in that many people are intrinsically interested in and fascinated in them. These organizations rely on fear mongering, myths, and other misinformation about reptiles and the reptile community in order to make their talking points, and ultimately remove all animals from captivity including even service and seeing-eye dogs.
These efforts by the reptile community are due largely to the excellent self-policing, and self-regulatory efforts the responsible private venomous reptile keeping community has implemented and enforced. These individuals are serious, knowledgeable and responsible, and realize that both the animals under their care certainly can be potentially dangerous in the wrong hands, and the potentially negative and far reaching public safety and animal welfare of poor or irresponsible actions regarding these animals.
They use all appropriate handling tools and equipment for their animals, which include hooks, tongs, safety glasses, tubes, and other equipment, and do not promote reckless free handling or unauthorized handling of animals.
They also utilize comprehensive bite, escape, and accident protocols for each species they maintain, and consult with their physicians and other healthcare providers ahead of time on ensuring the appropriate anti-venom availability and treatment for each species in the event of a bite or accident.
Most private keepers also appropriately label and designate any and all enclosures housing a venomous reptile, whether temporary or permanent, with the appropriate and relevant common and scientific names including genus and species , sex, quantity, and any other vital information needed to assist emergency first responders and healthcare officials.
Instead, when it comes to these issues, local, state, and federal governments should, and must work with any and all local, affected stakeholders rather than against them. These stakeholders can include a wide array of people and organizations, including the individual, non-affiliated private keepers and hobbyists to local, regional, and state herpetological societies that work to educate the public and enthusiasts about all misunderstood reptiles and amphibians.
These societies also work to provide a basis and source of expertise on such local to state laws and ordinances, as well as other forms of proposed rules and regulations. The state of Florida, for example, has long served as a model state for venomous reptile rules and regulations in which venomous reptiles, as well as other ROCs or reptiles of concern are subjected to tiered regulatory systems requiring a minimum number of 1, hours of training and experience, as well as numerous other enclosure, housing, handling, transport, and other requirements for ROCs.
These recommendations were based largely on the successful collaborative efforts of TAG, or the Technical Assistance Group, which comprised on local stakeholders that worked hard to fine tune and ultimately pass these updated working regulations. Likewise, several active local and state herpetological societies have worked and cooperated with local and state governments and legislatures in working to enact improved best management practices regarding the housing, caging, and transport of venomous reptiles, and other reptile species of concern namely crocodilians and large constrictors.
The Madison Area Herpetological Society MAHS of Wisconsin, along with USARK the United States Association of Reptile Keepers for example, have been great examples of local stakeholders working with government to educate law makers on these issues many may not even be aware that most multi-department pet stores carry reptiles and reptile supplies to produce favorable outcomes for improving public health and safety, animal welfare, and addressing the concerns and input of all local stakeholders.
In closing, it is hopefully the intent of this article to shed a greater light and understanding on the still controversial practice of private venomous reptile keeping in the United States, and elsewhere in the world.
As was properly acknowledged by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission at their recent September, hearings, many of these issues are complex in nature, and require the participation and support of local stakeholders in order to be addressed.
This is the level of well-established legitimacy that everyone in the reptile community must work to establish and maintain. Educational Articles Expand your knowledge! Educational Articles. All reptiles require specialized expertise and care, and many suffer from starvation, dehydration, parasites, respiratory infections, mouth rot and other symptoms of neglect when kept in private hands.
The majority of reptile owners have their pets for less than one year. Some animals die due to poor care, while others may be abandoned or, as has been graphically demonstrated in Florida, intentionally released outdoors.
Because they are often inexpensive and easy to acquire, venomous snakes are growing in popularity in the pet trade and this problem will escalate without common sense regulations. This is the best way to ensure public safety and animal welfare. Home Opinion Zing! Facebook Twitter Email. Venomous snakes should not be kept as pets. The nice thing about a terrarium from Exo Terra is that is comes fully assembled right out of the box.
It has a raised waterproof bottom frame and you can fit in a substrate heater. You can tell that this enclosure has been designed by European herpetologists. There are 12 different sizes which ensure an excellent environment for your snake. The large, tall one measures 36 x 18 x 24 inches.
The dual front opening doors allow for easy access. A specially designed lock is an additional safety measure against snakes with escape on their minds. The full-screen top ventilation is completely removable and encourages UVB and infrared penetration. Five closable wire inlets mean you can install water features, heating, sensors etc. These are fantastic tools for providing heat to your snake enclosure.
The heating pad conducts heat to the enclosure floor and substrate. This energy-efficient glass terrarium heater is UL approved to guarantee safety and quality. It comes with US standard plug and requires volts — no need for an extra adapter. The pad is waterproof and moisture-resistant. Reptiles know how much heat and light they need and will expose themselves to it accordingly. But they need a source. Captive snakes need a suitable area for basking in heat, light, and UVB gradients, just like they would in the wild.
The mercury vapor bulb provide your venomous snake with warmth and the UV light stimulates vitamin production. It provides the ideal light for snakes and is compatible with all enclosures. Each American state has different laws regarding exotic pets. Many states have cryptic rules regarding exotic animals as pets. You can also request a copy be sent to you through the mail. Should you have any questions regarding these permits or the application process, you can email license tpwd. The license in this region is valid from the date of issue until December Both of these states make it fairly easy.
For a more complete overview, read Snake Laws in the US. The State of Michigan is known for its unspoiled nature. The snakes of Michigan are found in these different landscapes — woodlands, grasslands, desert-like areas, and marshes.
The Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake is the only venomous snake in the state of Michigan. It prefers wetland habitats. The snake can reach a little more than 3 feet and it has a rattle on the tail. These snakes are shy and try to avoid humans. The shy, non-aggressive, reclusive rattler is listed as threatened and endangered in every state in which it lives.
It is often killed when encountered. People recoil at the fangs and rattling tail as it tries to protect itself. Owning venomous snakes in Pennsylvania can be confusing. Pennsylvania is notorious for having complicated requirements for keeping exotic pets. Their hard-to-get exotic wildlife possession permit requires a 2-year hands-on experience from an approved facility for the specific species requested.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission provides some conflicting information on what you need to do to be legal with snakes and other exotic pets. Pennsylvania regulates exotic pets, and nearly all exotic animals are illegal without a permit. Not only is it illegal to bring exotic creatures into the state of Pennsylvania without the proper permits, just traveling through the state can get your exotic pets confiscated.
All three are pit vipers. Officials believe people should have permits for animals native to the state too. The Pennsylvania Game Commission handles the distribution of these permits.
If you want to get a permit for a native species, you can, but then you also need to meet the 2-year experience requirements. Also, the facility where you get your experience needs to submit a letter detailing your experience. The snake cage must be meet the provided specifications.
It will be inspected. Once approved, a permit is granted. To legally keep venomous snakes in California you need to apply to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for a permit. California has some strict laws on owning animals. All native reptiles in California are protected under California Fish and Game laws and may not be captured.
Australia has some seriously venomous snakes. The Land Down Under actually has more venomous snakes than non-venomous snakes. The most deadly is the Eastern Brown snake. Extremely venomous, the snake can grow to about 2 meters in length. It is fast and agile and can fit into the tightest spot when trying to hide.
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