The illegality of keeping of any exotic reptile should be agreed upon soley by that reptile's ability to either
1/ threaten public safety in a serious manner - which would literally rule out ANY venomous reptiles, and very large boids.
2/ threaten biodiversity in a serious manner - which would rule out most North American colubrids, most tortoises/terrapins, most amphibians, and most lizards.
3/ threaten agriculture in a serious manner - which would rule out some species, maybe not as many as above, but still enough to make a difference.
The precautionary principle comes in full swing here - which should mean that individual species are investigated for their potential to apply to either of the above 3 points, and a decision based on that research is made.
But...just because the government bureaucrats "don't like snakes" is not a good enough reason. Sorry. These "don't like snakes" retards are the same ilk that are trying to stop us from keeping natives...hence the new animal keeper guidelines which, as one poster said, have these bureaucrats fingerprints all over them.
Don't like snakes? Fine, don't keep them. But it's not of your business if someone else wants to keep them. It's a private decision and should be treated as such. And I am in fact also supportive of any attempts to legalize cannabis as it is no more harmful than tobacco which is 99% legal, and is certainly no more harmful than alcohol!
