Explain to me why Pythons shouldn't be banned?

[Brooklynella]

Or most reptiles anyway?
Other than "We like them" and "We want to keep them as pets", can someone educate me why Pythons (And other large and/or venomous snakes for that matter) shouldn't be banned?
Irresponsible keepers have put their best foot forward and sprinkled negativety towards the hobby with the occassional child death and Burmese Pythons invading the Everglades. Plus, large scale breeders are pumping out species to keep up with the demand of those supermarket-style pet chains. I do not believe many $29.99 Ball Pythons will live to see their 10th birthday.

Let's hear it.

 

[latshki]

money.

 

[AttackFish]

I just thought of something though OP,
What about the fish you keep, the dog that sleeps at the foot of you bed, perhaps you like driving fast cars or maybe shooting guns. Why shouldn't they be banned?
Give me a reason other than because you "Like them"

 

[kenC56]

Then give me the reasons why fish should not be banned except we like the as pets? Most fish will not live to see there avrage life expectancy. Why should pit bulls or other large breed dogs not be banned? They have killed far more poeple then any reptile ever has. In your context they should also ban cats. They do far more damage to any ecosystem then pythons ever have.There are lots of things we like but do not need. But does that give the government the rite to take it away.

Pyhtons and other reptiles are a hobby many people enjoy. There is also a lot of money that pythons generate for large and small businesses. Also do you really think they are going to stop on pythons? Once they take away one exotic pet which one is next?

The USGS study that was done is scientifcally inaccurate. The study only took into account avrage temperatures and precipitation not not high and low temperatures of a region. Burmese pythons will not spread outside there habitat in Florida. If it was possible they already would have. I can see a ban in Florida but not anywhere else.

 

[Vicious_Fish]

Well to me the reason why they shouldn't be banned is because it's one step closer in the gumberment's objective to control our lives by any means necessary. What's next after this? Red Eared Sliders because they can possibly carry salmonella? Iguanas because they can scratch you? Nile Monitors because they can eat kittens if they wanted to? There are plenty of responsible herp keepers out there. Unfortunately the only thing that makes the news is when some dingbat screws up and makes us (the responsible keeper) look bad.

 

[Vicious_Fish]

This is going to get heated...

I smell a lock in the future.

This is a very interesting topic and It won't be necessary to lock it if we can all act like mature adults here.

 

[varanio]

Or most reptiles anyway?
Other than "We like them" and "We want to keep them as pets", can someone educate me why Pythons (And other large and/or venomous snakes for that matter) shouldn't be banned?
Irresponsible keepers have put their best foot forward and sprinkled negativety towards the hobby with the occassional child death and Burmese Pythons invading the Everglades. Plus, large scale breeders are pumping out species to keep up with the demand of those supermarket-style pet chains. I do not believe many $29.99 Ball Pythons will live to see their 10th birthday.

Let's hear it.

Why dont you tell us why they should, you pointed out some instances.... and youre trying to dig deeper so why not start with you since youre so curious about the topic. Enough so to drag it out to the forums.

 

[krzr3000]

Well to me the reason why they shouldn't be banned is because it's one step closer in the gumberment's objective to control our lives by any means necessary.

I'm as against gov't control like anyone else. But in this case they may step in to bring some order and control to a potentially (or already?) out of control industry with many bad apples.

Why dont you tell us why they should, you pointed out some instances.... and youre trying to dig deeper so why not start with you since youre so curious about the topic. Enough so to drag it out to the forums.

The OP gave some reasons in the first post...children dead, everglades, improper husbandry. There are reasons like this and more that are in support of banning. But what reason is there for not banning? Most likely just the economy and the fact that its a hobby.

BUt also like others said...why not ban everything? Or start with dogs that do much more harm, etc.

 

[ExoticEctotherms]

I agree with Vicious. I vehemently disagree with any government attempt to further control the lives of supposedly "free" citizens. As far as i'm concerned, the government should have NO say as to what pets I can keep, what I watch on TV or hear on the radio, or whether I wear a seatbelt or not as long as I am not creating a nuisance to the general public. And if I did become a nuisance to the general public with one of my behaviors and/or hobbies, I should be dealt with on an individual basis...don't punish the masses for a few irresponsible people.

 

[krzr3000]

...for a few irresponsible people.

I think the "few" are really a lot more than some realize. When i worked at a pet store it was a pleasure and an exception to have someone responsible inquire about reptiles. This was at a chain store...and i heard countless stories of releasing reptiles (in connecticut). But more so than the releasing was the fact that i heard about more failures than successes. This came in the form of stories about accidental deaths, neglect, escape, purposeful death, etc to their pets. It levels you out to a perspective of this industry being really ****ed up.

But its always been like this and its like that with fish, rodents etc as well. SO maybe its pointless to care.