Bring Ball Pythons to Australia

[$NaKe PiMp]

i am glad that ball pythons will NEVER be legal in Australia,and i reckon Australians who want them need to relise they are spolit enough with the best reptiles in the world,so why selfishly want to own these gay ball pythons,when we live in a herpers paradise already why risk it with these ridiculous ball pythons or any other potentially invsive environmentally damaging crap

 

[gman1]

hey guys & girls, i think its a good thing that you dont important them to be honest. although the market is huge every were else for royals & big money to be made. on a positive point if there were legal it would make a good deal of money on revenue. you have the most amazing herps over there that you dont need to have royals. look at us here in ireland, we dont really have anyting, although the hobby is growing & there is plenty of herp keepers with nice collections over here, its mainly made up of royals, retics, burms, boas & some nice carpets. but we defo would love to have some more aussie herps. we have a few womas & childrens going around & i think maybe 1 keeper of BHP's. he's on this forum,mark. as someone has said already, your over run with cane toads that are havin a bad effect on your native wildlife already. dont take the risk of doing more damage. so as said abouve "you have a herpers paradice" so why change that but hey, if any of you aussies want to fly some of them nice aussie herps to ireland.. feel free lol

there is a few pics of some i breed last year

 

[Bez84]

Only exotics we are going to see on licence are the ones that match our natives and can be passed off as such.
Like the jags have been or the soon to suddenly appear zebra jungles, Albino BHPs the list goes on...
So unless you can convince the governent that your ball python is just a weird new children python morph then probably not going to own one legally anytime soon lol.

 

[hrafna]

i get that some people might like the diverse range of morphs for the ball python, but for me they look so ugly. to me it seems to be more of a "look what i have, you don't have one like this" deal! i have yet to see a ball python that to me personally looks prettier than some of our natives!

 

[daniel1234]

I know they are here both captive and wild but just hate the ferrals we have now to start legalising more of them....as awsome as they are. If they did make it legal put me down for a bunch of venomous imports.

I agree with you hrafna. I think there are plenty of natives to keep us busy and hostestly I like our head shapes more than alot of the exotic pythons.

 

[Snake-Supplies]

All these patriots on here...
I think that if they were made legal, all of us would get some exotics...
no matter what you all say.

Come on, who would not want a pair of Chameleons?

 

[atothej09]

Great input from everyone, thanks for that. Nothing like a good debate, but I don't understand the members stating that some members are not happy with the species we have, I think ALL members are extremely happy with what we have in Australia but whats wrong with wanting to have more?
This doesn't make me greedy, just an enthusiast. Most snake keepers have their snakes under lock and key in captivity, as I am sure we do not want them to escape, so to compare them to Cane Toads is just ridiculous, not the same thing, they were deliberately released into the wild for a reason, why would you release Ball Pythons (or any exotic) into the wild??
To say 'Never' is just plain giving up, we are the people and we should have a say on what happens in our own country. There is so much that happens in our country that I do not believe or agree with, but that still happens without our approval...but that's getting too political.
People can keep all types of exotic fish, dogs, cats, birds, insects etc without issues, is that out of control?
I singled out Ball Python as my own personal choice, and I agree with other members that Boas, Retics etc are also beautiful animals, and I hope the day comes that these enthusiasts can obtain them. If certain species is proven to not survive in certain countries, then I understand why those species should be illegal. So many other countries around the world have all types of snake species without issues, why not pose the question to the public, scientists, zoologists, herp groups etc and see what the ultimate response is.
Thanks again for all the great input!

 

[SamNabz]

i get that some people might like the diverse range of morphs for the ball python, but for me they look so ugly. to me it seems to be more of a "look what i have, you don't have one like this" deal! i have yet to see a ball python that to me personally looks prettier than some of our natives!

What do you think of this one hrafna

​

 

[pythons73]

Well sorry to put a dampening on things,BUT these are already here,same with Burmese,Corns,Kingsnakes,milksnakes and so on.From a few people the Balls are being bred in good numbers also..As they generally only grow smallish(4ft) alot of people do own them..I love Aus natives pythons,we have one of the best reptile species in the world..I will pick a Gtp,BHP,woma, or even a nice Diamond then one of these,however if i was in America,England etc i may change my mind..

 

[Tristan]

as much as i do like some of the exotics i still feel Aus is much better off for not allowing them here, we have already had some pretty big issues with imported animals, and as for legalizing them to make it easier to control, i cant help but wonder why if so many people on this forum are so regularly offered exotics why cant the conservation officials from each state set up stings, etc to track down these exotic keepers and confiscate/fine the crap out of them.

or have people from the herp community as honorary officers that can obtain a specimen and information hand it over to the officials to help catch them crooks.

and Aus probably needs to improve is laws on the keeping of local animals before it even considers making it even more complicated by adding exotics

 

[killimike]

IMHO these exotics threads are very much the same every time, but at least for a complete newb they are entertaining to read

Each to their own opinion and reasons for it! It's a free country.

But do I really need to be told I don't 'love my country' if I don't spit venom at the discussion of making exotics allowable? And ball pythons, kept by thousands around the world, are 'gay' and 'crap'?

Thanks to all the other posters who are actually able to contribute something to an interesting discussion.

 

[Snowman]

the only thing we learn from history is that we don't learn anything.............. most of you guys have overlooked
no.1 what has happened in america with them having exotics
no.2 what introduced species have already done to australia

Doesn't happen with every species of animal though in every area. Where are the wild guinea pigs, love bird's, ferret's, canary's etc.. Yes I understand that there are a lot of others that have survived, but I doubt anything would be as devistating to the local fauna as cats and there is no restrictions to keep people from owning and breeding cats... Ball's, chameleon's, boa's are already here in big numbers and have been for ages... The threat they pose is already there and probably more significant since people may off load excess animals into the wild. I think things like exotic turtles pose more of a threat though...
Some animals just arent suited to the climate. For example I doubt a GTP python would survive in the wild of Tasmania or Perth for that matter.

 

[Dannyboi]

We are still developing at this stage the country (getting on its feet we are a young nation) and the hobby. I have only been offered one exotic herp and that guy was interstate so I can't say for sure that exotics have hit South Australia much.... I don't think anytime soon we will have exotics but saying never is a bit rash as the country will still be here in a thousand years time. It may be sooner that exotics are aloud whether or not it happens meh as there are places we can see them. All I want is that the innocent animals aren't killed simply because they were smuggled/kept here and I am sure there would be some system that could be put into place to protect them better than what we have now. Perhaps allowing private owned reptile parks to have exotics (If they can't already) and hey we could do our bit making a APS reptile park in each state. (Yeah I'm dreaming).

 

[bump73]

. Most snake keepers have their snakes under lock and key in captivity, as I am sure we do not want them to escape, so to compare them to Cane Toads is just ridiculous, not the same thing, they were deliberately released into the wild for a reason, why would you release Ball Pythons (or any exotic) into the wild??

Mate that comments just plain ridiculous. Do a search of escaped snake threads on this site and you will see how many people lose their snakes, seems to be a couple of threads every week on the topic. Not to mention the amount of wild corn snakes that are found by snake catchers. As much as i love Ball pythons it ain't going to happen..

 

[SamNabz]

as much as i do like some of the exotics i still feel Aus is much better off for not allowing them here, we have already had some pretty big issues with imported animals, and as for legalizing them to make it easier to control, i cant help but wonder why if so many people on this forum are so regularly offered exotics why cant the conservation officials from each state set up stings, etc to track down these exotic keepers and confiscate/fine the crap out of them.

or have people from the herp community as honorary officers that can obtain a specimen and information hand it over to the officials to help catch them crooks.

and Aus probably needs to improve is laws on the keeping of local animals before it even considers making it even more complicated by adding exotics

It will never happen Tristan. Anything illegal whether it's drugs or animal smuggling will and can't ever be stopped.

 

[Snowman]

i am glad that ball pythons will NEVER be legal in Australia,and i reckon Australians who want them need to relise they are spolit enough with the best reptiles in the world,so why selfishly want to own these gay ball pythons,when we live in a herpers paradise already why risk it with these ridiculous ball pythons or any other potentially invsive environmentally damaging crap

Pretty simple really... Just different people with different tastes. Imagine if the only tucker we could eat was Australian cuisine. Just stirring the pot! But I think people are entitled to be captivated and like the look of what ever animal they please. Saying they should only like natives is a bit strange, perhaps fish keepers and bird keepers should also only keep natives. Herp keepers are discriminated against when compared to the exotic fish and bird trade in Australia.

 

[killimike]

Very well said Snowman!

Unfortunately things are more likely to move in the other direction, with fish and mammal keepers more and more restricted in what exotics they can keep. And to be 110% fair, sometimes this is justified. Knee-jerk banning is just excessive, tho.

But please don't joke about Australian "cuisine".... Thank God we have some alternatives

 

[Pythoninfinite]

Great input from everyone, thanks for that. Nothing like a good debate, but I don't understand the members stating that some members are not happy with the species we have, I think ALL members are extremely happy with what we have in Australia but whats wrong with wanting to have more?
This doesn't make me greedy, just an enthusiast. Most snake keepers have their snakes under lock and key in captivity, as I am sure we do not want them to escape, so to compare them to Cane Toads is just ridiculous, not the same thing, they were deliberately released into the wild for a reason, why would you release Ball Pythons (or any exotic) into the wild??
To say 'Never' is just plain giving up, we are the people and we should have a say on what happens in our own country. There is so much that happens in our country that I do not believe or agree with, but that still happens without our approval...but that's getting too political.
People can keep all types of exotic fish, dogs, cats, birds, insects etc without issues, is that out of control?
I singled out Ball Python as my own personal choice, and I agree with other members that Boas, Retics etc are also beautiful animals, and I hope the day comes that these enthusiasts can obtain them. If certain species is proven to not survive in certain countries, then I understand why those species should be illegal. So many other countries around the world have all types of snake species without issues, why not pose the question to the public, scientists, zoologists, herp groups etc and see what the ultimate response is.
Thanks again for all the great input!

It's called 'for the common good'...

People can keep all types of exotic fish, dogs, cats, birds, insects etc without issues, is that out of control?

The answer is mostly... yes, it is out of control. Various species of all of those things are at large in the Australian environment, doing major damage to populations of native species.

Fish: European Carp (goldfish), various Cichlids, Gambusia. Dogs: Wild dogs cause problems for pastoralists and native fauna all over Australia. Cats: nothing needs to be said about them. Birds: Sparrows, Starlings, Mynahs, Rock Pigeons and others, including Aussie natives out of their home range... crowd out native species in all capital cities and the bush and cause economic damage to crops, buildings etc. Insects: European Wasps, Fire Ants, the Honeybee and others...

When you look at what has been unleashed on the Australian environment, it's no wonder that bureaucrats are saying 'no more!' Just because you want to have something different (which will be a tempoaray state anyway... once they are commonplace, their appeal will diminish), is no reason for anyone to take your deamnd seriously.

You'll have to put up far better arguments than 'just because I want one' to win any concession in this debate.

Jamie

 

[crikey]

i think thay should alow us to import snakes that come from here any way like zebras, jags, axanthic carpets so on thats what i would like to see i wouldnt mind paying for them to be qurantined if we where allowed to import some of the cool morphs that are from australian snakes

 

[Pythoninfinite]

i think thay should alow us to import snakes that come from here any way like zebras, jags, axanthic carpets so on thats what i would like to see i wouldnt mind paying for them to be qurantined if we where allowed to import some of the cool morphs that are from australian snakes

Have you enquired about the costs of quarantine... before making that generous offer?

J