Pet snakes of Iowa

I have one. And she makes my down days, better. They are like any other animal.

Snakes are amazing

It is a shame that snakes are so misunderstood. The current law in your area is based on fear. I could understand requiring a permit and/or license for venomous reptiles but such a broad spectrum ban is nonsense.

Got 11 snakes and none bite anything thats not food

Dog can be more dangerous than a few snakes in a house. That's a fact.

Best of luck!

I've had snakes for 40+ years. Have 21 now. None are at all "mean." Don't take my snakes or they have a war on their hands!

There’s nothin wrong with havin snake for a pet

I'm signing because I agree with the guy. As long as you know what You're doing snakes are basically harmless.

Well you have my vote, they are absolutely incredible creatures and deserve the same care as any other pet would Recieve and live out their lives happy and content with the owner that knows their behaviour not some town that does t know anything about them. My " reptile kids" and I wish you the best of luck in your battle and cheering for your fight from up here in Ottawa Ont Canada.

I CURRENTLY HAVE 11 BALL PYTHONS AND 3 COLUMBIAN RED TAIL BOA CONSTRICTORS. THEY ARE CAPTIVE BRED, ARE NOT WILD, AND HAVE BEEN HANDLED SINCE BIRTH. THEY ARE DOCILE, HAVE NEVER BITTEN ANYONE, AND ARE A GOOD QUIET PET. THEY LIKE TO BE HANDLED AND HELD. THE EAT FROZEN/THAWED AND LIVE RATS. THEY ARE USED IN SCHOOL CLASSROOMS FOR TEACHING ABOUT SNAKES AND BECAUSE BALL PYTHONS ARE SO DOCILE THEY ARRE A PERFECT ANIMAL TO TAKE INTO THE CLASSROOM AND SHOW AND TEACH CHILDREN ABOUT THEM. THEY GET THEIR NAME FROM CURLING UP IN A ""BALL"" AND HIDING THEIR HEAD IN THE MIDDLE WHEN THEY ARE THREATENED OR SCARED. WE ALL HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH THE BURMESE PYTHONS AND ANACONDAS THAT HAVE INUNDATED THE EVERGLADES DUE TO THE DESTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS THAT HOUSED 200 ANIMALS DURING HURRICANE ANDREW. HOWEVER, THESE SNAKES ONLY GET 3-5 FEET LONG AND ARE HARMLESS. THEY COULD NEVER EAT A CAT OR A DOG, AS THEY JUST DON'T GET THAT BIG. ALSO, IF THESE RESTRICTIONS TO OWN CERTAIN ANIMALS AS PETS ARE TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND WELL BEING OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE NATURAL WILDLIFE OF THE AREA, THEN IT WOULD BE WELL NOTED TO LOOK DEEPER INTO THE ANIMALS THAT TRULY CAUSE HAVOC AND PROBLEMS IN OUR COMMUNITIES. SUCH AS THE ASIAN CARP, ZEBRA MUSSELS, AND ((SO MANY)) OTHER INVASIVE SPECIES! EVEN IF THESE ANIMALS WERE TO GET LOOSE, THEY WOULD NOT SURVIVE IN THE IOWA CLIMATE AND WOULD MERELY DIE OF THE COLD! PLEASE, TAKE THE TIME TO TRULY GET THE REAL FACTS OF THE PARTICULAR ANIMALS THAT THE CITY WANTS TO LIMIT AS PETS. OTHERWISE YOU MAY FIND YOURSELVES EMBROILED IN A LAWSUIT THAT YOU WILL BE HARD PRESSED TO WIN WITHOUT ACTUAL HARD FACTS TO SUPPORT YOUR CASE! AFTER ALL, HAS YOUR CITY BANNED PIT BULLS? ""DANGEROUS DOGS" OR OTHER ANIMALS THAT COULD BE CONSIDERED A HAZARD AND DETRIMENT TO THE PUBLIC CITIZENS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS?? MY SUGGESTION WOULD BE TO GET A WELL TRAINED HERPETOLOGIST FROM THE CITY ZOO TO COME TO ONE OF YOUR COUNCIL MEETINGS TO ((SHOW AND TELL)) HOW TO PROPERLY KEEP AND HOUSE

I have a friend that lives snakes, and I know she would be devastated to be told her pet was illegal because of a misinformed law.

I hope you can keep them!!

I support responsible herpetologists!

Iowa resident

I totally agree with you. Let's make this a better place for Reptile keepers and Breeders.

Snakes kept by good owners are harmless

I have 4 pets snakes, all harmless.

Update the laws! Locking enclosures are available if that would make lawmakers feel better but seizing these beautiful animals does nothing to protect civilians, it only hurts pet parents.

By seizing these animals and others in your community you will be directly harming many teirs of your own economy. Everything from the farmers that supply grain for the rodents that will ultimately feed the snakes, to the electric companies that profit from the extra use to keep the animals warm. Multiple home good and pet stores are currently suffering because of far overreacting laws like these. Reptile keepers care for their animals and their fellow keepers. Many of us spend countless dollars on our beloved animals and the interest in them gives us purpose and keeps many otherwise drug using troubled youth an outlet for their interests that keep them a valuable and active member of a positive society. Please reconsider the bans on happiness and productivity in your community and allow people to fulfill their interests in keeping these harmless and beautiful animals. Thank you.