Florida wildlife officials are looking at the possibility of banning certain “16 of the highest risk nonnative reptiles” as pets.
Such animals “are a threat to Florida’s ecology, economy and human health and safety,” according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Species that could be affected by new proposed rules are Burmese pythons, reticulated pythons, scrub pythons, Northern African pythons, Southern African Pythons, amethystine pythons, green anacondas, Nile monitor lizards, tegus (all species) and green iguanas.
The commission plans to vote on proposed final rules on Feb. 25, KXTV-TV reports.
Final rule language “expands possession allowances for the purposes of eradication and control, allows for current tegu and green iguana pet owners to keep their pet with a no-cost permit, allows for some limited continued commercial sales of tegus and green iguanas, and provides reporting and biosecurity measures to prevent escape of these species,” according to a memo from the agency.
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