Will a new bill to restrict trade in dangerous constrictors become snakebit?

Should every American have the right to own an anaconda?

Today, anyone can order a green anaconda hatching online for $140 plus $40 shipping and have it delivered to the doorstep. But, if a new bill passes Congress, fewer constrictors could be slithering into a neighborhood near you.

At week ago, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee passed H.R. 511, a bill adds nine species of large constrictor snakes to the list of injurious species under the Lacey Act, which combats illegal trafficking of wildlife, fish and plants.

If approved by the full House and Senate, H.R. 511 would ban the import or interstate trade for use as pets of the Indian python (including Burmese python), reticulated python, Northern African python, Southern African python, boa constrictor, green anaconda, yellow anaconda, DeSchauensee’s anaconda and Beni anaconda. These particular species have been targeted because the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has declared they pose a significant risk of becoming established in the wild as an invasive species.

The judiciary committee rejected an amendment to remove boa constrictors from the trade restrictions; but, it accepted an amendment to exempt any USDA-licensed exhibitor from the trade restrictions.

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) believes the exhibitor amendment is too broad and opens a major loophole for the reptile trade—especially since the Secretary of the Interior can already grant individual exemptions for legitimate purposes.

“We don’t really like to see snakes as pets,” says HSUS Captive Wildlife Regulatory Specialist Debbie Leahy, “because people only keep them one year on average. After that, they release them or they die.”

Furthermore, constrictor snakes have killed 15 people in the United States, including seven children, with reticulated pythons accounting for the largest share of attacks. HSUS believes those deaths serve as a reminder that private ownership is not worth the risk of children or adults being killed these animals.

The non-profit also charges the ecological havoc wrought by the reckless release of exotic snakes into the American wilderness is worse than anyone anticipated. According to a 2012 National Academy of Sciences report, Burmese pythons (released by unscrupulous owners into the Everglades) are putting this great American ecosystem at risk. In just over a decade, these invasive reptiles have wiped out 99% of raccoons, opossums and other small and medium-sized mammals, and 87% of bobcats. The change in the habitat and availability of prey will inevitably harm the ability of Florida panthers—one of the nation’s most endangered animals—to survive.

The U.S. Department of Interior expected to spend $100 million in 2011 controlling invasive species, including the pythons breeding wild in Florida. “We must prevent these problems from developing in the first place, and not spend taxpayer dollars to clean up problems we should have anticipated,” says HSUS President and CEO Wayne Pacelle. “It’s fiscally reckless to allow these impacts to continue given their predictability.”

According to HSUS’ Leahy, Louisiana’s not out of the woods either. A 2008 USGS map shows the Bayou State’s climate falls well within the acceptable range for the proliferation of Burmese pythons.

Nonetheless, the bill’s passage is not guaranteed. The opposition includes more than just exotic animal lobbyists. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries biologist Jeff Boundy disagrees with the measure. First, he says, an updated version of the USGS map now shows the giant reptiles cannot survive much beyond the 26.5 parallel, a latitude that runs pretty close to Boca Raton, Florida.

He also explains the Everglades’ woes originated—not from unscrupulous owners dumping unwanted animals but—from a single event during Hurricane Andrew in which an exotic dealers’ supply of snakes were hurled into the swamp.

As for deaths attributed to large constrictors, “They average out to less than one year and only one involved someone who did not own the snake” Boundy says. “Compare that to the number of kids and adults who are attacked by dogs; but, it’s not illegal to own dogs.”

With regard to the Internet availability of predators that easily grow to be 17 feet and 200 pounds, Boundy confirms individuals can legally purchase and possess small exotic snakes. Louisiana law does require owners of restricted snakes who are more than eight-feet in length to get a permit, which involves an inspection.

Regardless, HSUS maintains passage of the new legislation would spare thousands of high-maintenance, powerful predators the suffering of the exotic animal trade.

“The House Judiciary Committee recognized that the trade in large, constricting snakes is reckless and irresponsible, putting people, ecosystems and the animals that live in them, and the snakes themselves at risk,” explains Pacelle. “We hope that the bill is scheduled for a vote on the House floor soon, and that the Senate takes up the matter expeditiously.”

Click here to see some of Yelp!BR’s great canine companions.

Click here for this week’s City Lynx.