WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 (UPI) -- Burmese pythons and other large snakes are too dangerous to import, U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said Wednesday, announcing a proposed ban.
Salazar said regulations to be published in the Federal Register next month would bar the importation and interstate sale or transportation of nine large-snake species, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported.
Scientists say Burmese pythons are breeding in South Florida, where there could be as many as 100,000 in the Everglades. The snakes, which can grow to be more than 20 feet long, are believed to be descended from pets released by their owners when they got unmanageably large and escapees from pet shops and warehouses during hurricanes.
"The Burmese python and these other alien snakes are destroying some of our nation's most treasured -- and most fragile -- ecosystems," Salazar said.
The ban would apply to Burmese pythons, three more species of python, four types of anacondas and boa constrictors.
Once the regulations are published, there would be 60 days for public comment before they go into force. Pet industry trade groups oppose any ban, calling instead for self-regulation.
