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Python rules

Posted: June 11th, 2015, 12:15 pm
by jdustin
Hello all. I haven't posted in awhile. I moved into the area last year, and was previously serving as VP of the Rocky Mountain NAFHA chapter.

I'm planning a trip or two down to Florida, and am planning on putting in some time looking for herps in and around ENP and Tamiami area.
Can someone possibly give me a hand getting a handle on the current rules/laws for ENP, and also for pythons specifically? The regs I've found are a bit hard to follow.
Are python's a no-touch within the park? Elsewhere?

Also, if anyone has any tips that might be helpful, please PM me.
Thank you!
Josh

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Re: Python rules

Posted: June 11th, 2015, 1:25 pm
by Noah M
As far as I know any animal in ENP is no touching. And it is strongly advised to not have anything that would suggest you were touching, such as hooks or bags.

Re: Python rules

Posted: June 12th, 2015, 2:01 pm
by mtratcliffe
Like Noah said, don't touch/harass any animals or carry anything with you that would suggest you might be there to collect. If you are going to shine, be out of your car or stopped. In all honestly, you likely will not be pulled over by any Park Rangers at night, but if you have nothing to hide and follow the rules, you'll be fine. It's a great place to roadcruise snakes at night!

Re: Python rules

Posted: June 15th, 2015, 6:10 pm
by PrimitiveTim
Also, don't reverse in the middle of the road. lol A ranger got us with that and wrote a warning. Honestly though, I prefer just to shine outside of the park for exotics and stuff.

Re: Python rules

Posted: June 16th, 2015, 5:33 am
by Josh Holbrook
Currently, you can't touch any wildlife, including exotics, in the park, as others have said; but pythons are regulated in Florida as a whole to where you cannot posses them without a permit. Basically, your (legal) options are to just let them move along in the park, and either do that or kill them outside of the park. You also might be able to find someone who has the park permit (Letter of Authorization), but I can't think of anyone on here that has one off the top of my head.