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RE: exoctics in US?
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by Cro on August 29, 2007
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John, there are many exotic species found in the US that were introduced or migrated here.
The Burmese Pythons in the Everglades are probably the most known examples, however, many areas in the US have introduced species of geckos, snakes, frogs, toads, birds, and mammals.
If you are talking about Exotic Venomous Species, it is likely that there are small populations in South Florida of some snakes, because the hurricanes there in the past destroyed many reptile businesses, and it is likely numbers of cobras excaped into the wild, and it is likely some of these snake could have established breeding populations.
Best Regards JohnZ
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RE: exoctics in US?
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by FLherp on August 29, 2007
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There are numerous species of exotics reproducing in Florida - reptiles, birds, mammals, insects, plants, bacteria, viruses, fungus, etc.
If you visit Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's website you can see a list of those found in Florida - http://myfwc.com/critters/exotics/exotics.asp
There are no exotic venomous established in Florida at present.
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RE: exoctics in US?
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by Puma3 on August 29, 2007
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Yes, I did mean to limit it to venomous reptiles and amphibians. Why only Florida? Why not California or Hawaii?
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RE: exoctics in US?
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by hot_herper on August 29, 2007
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California doesn't allow the importation of venomous reptiles except very specific cases like zoos and college's. I don't know about Hawaii but I believe they are the same as California.
The reason Florida is the most known is because of Miami International Airport, which is the highest importation airport in the country. Also because of the reasons mentioned by Cro. there are vastly more venomous breeders, keepers, and importers in Florida because of the ease of ownership there. There are also Caimen populations there, the Nile Monitor is becoming more and more of a problem, and just about any large snake species. There are alot of stories in the newspapers there everytime a Retic or Burmese wanders its way into someone's house or lawn. I knew an importer there who's entire collection (60%) of which was venomous was lost in a hurricane a few years bad. Sadly he too was lost to the same storm. So I would have to agree that the climate and the frequency with which these animals can get free that there would be wild populations of atleast a few species of venomous snakes.
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RE: exoctics in US?
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by FLherp on August 29, 2007
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I don't think the large boids and varanids are any bigger problem than your average feral dog and cat when it comes to threats to the environment and human populations. They are, however, perceived as a greater threat. Populations of many of these animals will decrease next time the areas in which they are found experiences a good freeze. It may not kill all of them, but it will reduce their number significantly. The same cannot be said for our four-legged friends.
If you look at the information from the State of Florida, there are no venomous species established in the state, nor any mention of them being found in a natural setting. Animals that are removed from their environment are subject to a great deal of selective pressure and there is a high mortality on relocated individuals. Even if moved to just outside their home range. When you consider the translocation of animals from completely different continent, is it a surprise that many would not survive? If any were to be found, you can rest assured that it would make headlines and we would read about it from HSUS and API who would use the information to obtain an outright ban on exotic animal ownership whereever they could find a sympathetic ear.
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RE: exoctics in US?
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by Cro on August 30, 2007
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John, as far as Amphibians, there are populations of several types of Dart Frogs that have been established for many years in Hawaii.
Best Regards JohnZ
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RE: exoctics in US?
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by FLherp on August 30, 2007
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Some introduced species to Hawaii are listed here (22 reptiles a few frog species, including D auratus) -
http://www.earlham.edu/~biol/hawaii/reptiles.htm
http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/SpeciesList.asp?State=&County=&Group=Reptiles&Genus=&Species=&ComName=&Status=&FMB=&pathway=&Sortby=[Group],Genus,Species,SubSpecies&Size=50&nativeexotic=&HUCNumber=&Page=1
Amphibians -
http://www.earlham.edu/~biol/hawaii/amphibians.htm
http://www.hear.org/AlienSpeciesInHawaii/species/frogs/index.html
http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/SpeciesList.asp?Group=Amphibians
Again, no venomous snakes noted on any of the non-indigenous species lists (with the exception of B. irregularis which is mildly venomous. The introduction of snake species to island habitats, particularly those without native snake fauna is potentially far more devestating than the introduction of the same species to an area with its own snake fauna. Hawaii and Guam cannot be compared to Florida, those islands had no native snake fauna and the introduction of bird eating species does not bode well for bird species that have not evolved behaviors to deal with these predators.
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RE: exoctics in US?
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by Puma3 on August 31, 2007
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What about vice-versa. are there North American species breeding populations over-seas?
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