Florida Law

[P-Rice]

The Florida fish and Wildlife Commision are holding meetings regarding new laws and i was wondering if anyone else will be attending? I am going to the one on the 28th at Pensacola Junior College. I was hoping to meet a few herpers in the area. Here is the link for more information http://myfwc.com/captive/CaptiveWldlfPublicRegsWorkshop2006.html

Sincerely,
Price

 

[xgrafcorex]

hey...actually i think i will try and attend. it just so happens, the one closest to me is tonight! thanks for the heads up the rest of the locations are a bit of a drive. fortunately i didn't see any mention of arachnids..but i have some snakes which could fall into some of the discussions. :\ if i wind up making it, i'll let you know how it went...if not..i guess i'll just post and say i didn't make it heh.

 

[P-Rice]

If you make it let me know how it goes. I have a few reptiles that it applies to, plus it is only time before they start adding other animals such as tarantulas to these list of "animals of concern".

 

[xgrafcorex]

yea, i hear ya. i'm pretty certain ill be able to make it..the only thing i don't like about it is that i'll have to drive through horrible rush hour traffic to make it, and i have needed to give my brake pads a change for a good week or two maybe i'll see if i can take a roommates car if i through in some gas. all that stop on and go on crappy brakes doesn't sound like my cup of tea..i cringe when i hear that indicator.

 

[Galadriel]

HUGE niloticus are being found in FL on a regular basis. Around the Miami airport, there are troops of various monkeys and flocks of parrots. There are caiman and iguanas all over southern FL. NONE of these animals are native, and that's what makes them "animals of concern".
As I understand it, there aren't any plans to place bans on keeping, but rather to tighten up the way a lot of these critters are kept. Since so many exotic animals can not only survive, but thrive and reproduce in Florida's climate, I for one think it's a good idea. And I'm saying that as a person who has kept hundreds of so called "animals of concern" and venomous snakes. FL, IMHO, has some of the best reptile and exotic animal keeping laws in the US and other states would do well to follow suit.
For example, you're required to log 1000 hours of volunteer time with a permitted venomous snake keeper before you can keep them yourself. This is a fantastic idea! Better for the animals, and safer for the keeper. You know by the time you're finished what you're getting yourself into (no impulsive decisions) and have a healthy respect for the critters in your care.
Australia has banned the import of ALL exotic animals for good reason. The environmental and native species destruction is devistating. It's also possible for that kind of destruction by feral species to occur in FL. By enforcing stricter rules on houseing and permit requirements, there's a better chance this won't happen.
Look at the average Joe who keeps hots. Fun because it's scary, it'll impress frinds, make him a badass, but he really has NO idea what he's doing. He gets bit by..say..an adamanteus. Goes to the hospital, gets a round or 3 of antivenin, becomes another report for the state, and the animal is banned from private collections. That leave people like me and you without the pleasure of keeping a magnificent animal that we can use to educate others with.
Chances are, had he been required to log that 1000 hours, and forced to comply with housing requirements that take in consideration both his AND the animal's well being, that scenario would never take place. THAT is one of the reasons I support stricter enforcement.*** Please keep in mind, this is just personal opinion. Throwing it out there as somthing to think about, not to say you have to feel the same way***

Now I have a question:
Are tarantulas banned or regulated in any US state?

Thanks for your time.

Galadriel

 

[EvanG]

And to add, not only are they trapping large adult V. niloticus on a weekly basis in some areas, they are discovering that these animals are reproducing. The last thing I read, they are repeatedly finding gravid females and hatchlings. Reptile dealers in the area are reporting being able to supply their demand for niloticus by catching them!

I agree that these propositions, if carried out in the manner I'm perceiving, will be a good thing.

 

[Tleilaxu]

Pinktoes are illeagal in FLA.

 

[Kid Dragon]

Pinktoes are illeagal in FLA.

Please show me the law that says pinktoes are illegal in Florida. :?

 

[Amanda]

I've seen them for sale in several LPSs.

 

[Tleilaxu]

I read that in a Tarantula book published by Barrons I believe it have a red leg something emila on the cover...

 

[Galadriel]

http://atshq.org/articles/tbbspeaks.html

This is all I could find. Has anyone seen them posted as being illegal on any of thr state's gov't websites? Fish and Wildlife?

 

[P-Rice]

Galadriel, I agree with you 100% on the venomous law, but some of the new laws that they are trying to pass may not be the safest or the most reasonable. I don't mind logging hours or paying for permits, but depending on what permit class the animals go under FWC can check your home at anytime, which I find a little intrusive. Not to mention that you may have to send them quarterly updates on what species you are keeping and how many and what about the microchipping, I think that gets a little excessive not to mention dangerous for small hot neonates that are hard enough to handle as it is.
I think some of the new laws they are trying to pass maybe attacking the wrong group of people. Even if you don't have a venomous license you can still keep venomous snakes. It just makes it illegal. I worked at a petstore and I cannot tell you how many times I met a person who was keeping a venomous snake illegally. Usually they were immature males trying to be cool, but they still had an illegal snake under the radar.

 

[Galadriel]

For the most part, I think you're right. And, in most cases, if you're willing to spend the time, effort and money to log the 1000 hours and get permits, you're probably not the kind of person who needs to be checked up on. But I do think there are some exceptions.
If you are keeping any kind of crocodilian, large boids (burms, retics, anaconda type large) or any varanid that gets over 4 feet, I think it's fair to keep an eye on that. Those are the animals that are most often released or die because of their size, difficulty to house and desire to rip peoples faces off, eat the neighbors dog =) And these kids that keep illegal animals..turn them in! In the long run, it's going to be the best thing for them. They can lose the critter now, pay a small fine...or more likely, a slap on the wrist, or they can take a hot bite in the near future, making them very ill, possibly disfigured, possibly DEAD and furthering the problems for the rest of the hobbyists. (wow. can we say run on sentence?)
I firmy believe the over the top propositions won't pass. They try it in FL, SC and several other states every other year and they rarely pass. Go to the meetings, take some friends, and try to get in a few valid points for the team. Focus on education will do an enormous amount of good. When is the decision supposed to be made?

 

[Ewok]

I don't think pink toes are illegal anymore in Fl they are for sale at most pet stores that carry tarantulas, but it is true at one time they were illegal.