The ban on Exotic animals

Question
QUESTION: Hi Diane. Taylor here.  I have an all around question hoping you can give me a
straight shot answer too. I was watching the news and saw the senate is trying
to ban all exotic animals including our reptiles. Now do you know how far this
bill is in progress? What exactly are they trying to ban? Thanks for any type of
info.

ANSWER: Hi Taylor,
Last I heard, its not gone any farther at this point.
Its for non native species...which basically covers most, if not all reptiles and many other mammals.


Here is the bill...
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-669


"H.R. 669 stands for House Resolution 669 and is titled "The Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act". It is a bill currently before Congress that if passed will change the way that the US Government classifies animal species that are not native to the United States. H.R. 669 will make it illegal to breed and sell many animals that are very common in the pet trade.

Why should you care about HR 669?
Anyone with pet fish, birds, reptiles, or small mammals will be affected by this bill. Any company selling product or services for pet fish, birds, reptiles or small mammals will be affected by this bill. Would you be impacted by "The Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act"?

Virtually all fish in an aquarium are not native to the United States

Most pet birds are species not native to the US

Most reptiles kept as pets are not native to the US

Hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs and ferrets are not native to the US

What can you do to stop HR 669?
Pet owners support the concept of a risk based approach to non-native imports, unfortunately H.R. 669 as drafted does not provide a constructive way forward."
to say no to this bill....
got to this website    www.nohr669.com  





---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Do you think this will pass,or at least have to reword the document somehow?

Also my leo is still skittish when I try to touch her. She has no problem climbing
on me,but doesn't like to be touched. How do I correct this? Also whats a good
amount to feed a babe leo,I dont want to over feed. Thanks

ANSWER: Hi Taylor,
Its really hard to tell how far the bill will go....and how long it will take to even be looked at again.
Hopefully it can be reworded because the way it is now, it will cause many people to loose jobs in the pet industry...I don't mean with breeders, importers, or others selling reptiles, but with businesses that manufacture pet products(even though many products are not good)
Even if the law does pass, there really is no logical way for them to "police" owners of the critters they are banning. The idea of the bill is to stop the releasing of many critters into the wild, as has been done in Florida, causing major problems to the natural environment there.  What they are doing is basically the same as many dog laws... they want to stop the puppy mills, but are making honest, caring, responsible owners suffer.
It can take a long time for your leo to accept touching.  Many never do accept it.  You just keep trying...
The best rule on feeding is to allow her to eat as many insects in a 10-15 minute time frame. Of course that doesn't apply to wax worms as they are only an occasional treat!!!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Well I guess they have a meeting with the house of representatives tomorrow
so lets see how things go.

At night when I feed my gecko,I take all his hides and humidity box out to
make it easyier to catch his pray and also to mist the humidity box. One I put
everything back in and is finish eating he goes straight back in the humidity
box and doesnt come back out at least while im awake. He spends all day in
there and it seems like all night. Hes been doing it since the day I got him so
I dont think its cause hes shedding and his colors arent dull. Do you have any
idea why he does this? Thanks

Answer
Hi Taylor,
Yep, we have to wait and see how it goes.
Many people feed there leos in a different tank...even one of those small critter keeper cages. That would make it easier on you in not having to take everything out of his cage.
He may like the humid hide because he is younger and may need the bit more humidity yet...he may like the temperature in the humid hide better..or he just may like where the humid hide is better. Just make sure you aren't soaking the humid hide too much..you don't want it wet..just moist.  Chances are he is doing his venturing around once you aren't watching him. As he gets older you will see him become a bit more secure in how he acts and what he does.