Microchipping?

Karighan · 05-09-14, 07:41 PM

I know FL now requires it-- but has anyone else just decided to do it for their own peace of mind? Has there been any negative effects on a reptile?

Starbuck · 05-09-14, 08:25 PM

FL requires it? For what- giants only?

I have my mammals microchipped, but especially living in FL (as i do now), i think if any of my animals got out not many people would even think to scan it, it would easily survive on its own and might never be found by a person. And if they were ever stolen, mine at least are small enough and common enough that they could easily be hidden or claimed as their own. If i had a very rare, high end morph of something, i might get it done, but otherwise i doubt it.

Karighan · 05-09-14, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starbuck

FL requires it? For what- giants only?

I have my mammals microchipped, but especially living in FL (as i do now), i think if any of my animals got out not many people would even think to scan it, it would easily survive on its own and might never be found by a person. And if they were ever stolen, mine at least are small enough and common enough that they could easily be hidden or claimed as their own. If i had a very rare, high end morph of something, i might get it done, but otherwise i doubt it.

Python species and boas must have chips, in FL; sometimes, registered as well. Each county has their own specific law about it--and some ban certain species outright. Penalty is pretty rough for it, too.

Starbuck · 05-10-14, 04:45 AM

Can you link the legislation for this? I purchased a carpet python at an expo and nobody mentioned anything about microchips or anything. I also have a rosy boa. I think this may only apply to giants or tp counties closer to the everglades?

Snakesitter · 05-12-14, 01:58 PM

Whatever the law is, I would follow it...but this is a prime example of government overreach. :-(

pdomensis · 05-12-14, 02:13 PM

I'm assuming the law is more about punishing people who's snakes escape, than it is about the animal shelter trying to find owners of lost pets. To me it sounds like a fair compromise for owning potentially invasive species as opposed to an outright ban.

As for the OP's original question-I would invest more in a secure enclosure instead of getting your snake chipped.

Karighan · 05-12-14, 07:53 PM

I'll find a link in a moment; but it does definitely punish the herp community. Oregon laws are pretty strict in some counties, too. Washington varies by city.

mclund · 05-12-14, 09:12 PM

Florida requires the following species to be micro chipped:

◾Indian or Burmese python (Python molurus)
◾Reticulated python (Python reticulatus)
◾Northern African python (Python sebae)
◾Southern African python (Python natalensis)
◾Amethystine python (Morelia amethistinus)
◾Scrub python (Morelia kinghorni)
◾Green anaconda (Eunectes murinus)
◾Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus)

They are listed as Reptiles of Concern. They also require Conditional permitting. Exotic venomous are optional, you can use photo ID's for identification.

Reptiles of Concern

I do not chip any of exotic venomous, but it is very easy to do. The chips are inexpensive, but the scanners are expensive.

mclund · 05-12-14, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starbuck

Can you link the legislation for this? I purchased a carpet python at an expo and nobody mentioned anything about microchips or anything. I also have a rosy boa. I think this may only apply to giants or tp counties closer to the everglades?

Starbuck - You are fine. No boas are required to be chipped. This is all policed by the state (Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission) and not counties. That doesn't mean local ordnances are not in place, but they are rarely enforced unless you make a spectacle of yourself.

Here is the link: http://http://myfwc.com/license/capt...es-of-concern/

Karighan · 05-12-14, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mclund

Starbuck - You are fine. No boas are required to be chipped. This is all policed by the state (Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission) and not counties. That doesn't mean local ordnances are not in place, but they are rarely enforced unless you make a spectacle of yourself.

Here is the link: http://http://myfwc.com/license/capt...es-of-concern/

Actually, it depends on his county and city; every city/county in FL has different regulations and you need to double-check them.

As an example-- one city in my county requires all snakes over six feet/ball pythons be microchipped and have a permit; my area, only ten minutes away, has no legislation whatsoever.

This site lists some city-related reptile codes: kingsnake.com - Reptile Law Support Center - FLORIDA

mclund · 05-13-14, 09:12 AM

[QUOTE=Karighan;917951]Actually, it depends on his county and city; every city/county in FL has different regulations and you need to double-check them.

As an example-- one city in my county requires all snakes over six feet/ball pythons be microchipped and have a permit; my area, only ten minutes away, has no legislation whatsoever.[QUOTE]

Curious to know what city Karighan.

Not disputing what you were saying, just clarifying. These ordnances were really designed for farm animals and beasts of burden, but code enforcement will spin it to fit their agenda. Just don't give them a reason to come knock on your door. You are still within the boundaries of the ordnances as long as you call them pets. Most of the time ordnances are created because of a bad situation. Someone's python gets loose and eats the neighbors cat and all hell breaks loose.

These are ordnances as I mentioned.

From the municode site for Gainesville....

Pet shall mean any animal kept primarily for personal pleasure or companionship rather than to provide labor, food, or products for humans, or for other commercial or utilitarian purposes.

Sec. 5-3. Animals in residential areas.
(a)
No person shall keep or harbor any animal for use other than as a pet within any residential district, as defined in section 30-41(a)(1) of this Code, or mixed-use district, as defined in section 30-41(a)(4) of this Code, in the city, except if such use is allowed by right or special use permit, or if such use existed as a legal non-conforming use on October 23, 1995.
(b)
Subsection (a) notwithstanding, no person shall keep or harbor fowl or livestock within any residential district, as defined in section 30-41(a)(1) of this Code, or mixed-use district, as defined in section 30-41(a)(4) of this Code, within the city, except if such use is allowed by right or special use permit, or if such use existed as a legal non-conforming use on October 23, 1995.

(Ord. No. 950797, § 1, 10-23-95; Ord. No. 000337, § 2, 10-9-00)

Matt

Starbuck · 05-13-14, 08:20 PM

So it sounds like things are ok in my house at least, as long as I shut down my snake treadmill electricity operation and dont sell any eggs to the neighbors... lol.
thank to y'all for doing the research, I tried to find more legislation specific to gainesville but couldn't find anything past fish and wildlife conditional species, and I got pretty busy with finals for vetschool.

And Karighan, 'he' is actually a 'she' :-)

freedumbdclxvi · 08-08-14, 06:55 PM

In Florida, the microchips are required when the conditional species reaches 1" in diameter. I have a number of animals that will be getting them soon.