Bad eggs vs. Good eggs

Florida Apple Snail eggs (Pomacea paludosa). These are the good apple snails that are the main diet of the Snail Kite.

Florida has become invaded by other apple snails, the Channeled apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) and the Island apple snail (Pomacea insularum). These guys are much bigger than the Florida apple and eat virtually all vegetation. They are also more prolific. You'd think the Snail kites would eat them, too, but it is thought that they are too big for the kites to feed on properly.

The bad eggs (hehehe) are smaller, a deeper pink and have many more of them in a cluster. If you see the bad ones, smoosh 'em!

This link shows good pictures of the snails and a nice comparison of the eggs.

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/central/Home/Watershed/snails/Snails.htm

The FWC finally does something!

It's finally happened. On January 1st, the FWC established new rules for people who own or exhibit wildlife. Alot of it has to do with acreage required and having a "Captive Wildlife Critical Incident and Disaster Plan". All escapes of Class I wildlife (lions, bears, crocs, chimps and rhinos) must be immediately reported, as well as the escape of any nonnative venomous reptiles or "reptiles of concern". (D'uh! Pretty pathetic they need to tell anyone that).

Several species of pythons are listed as being "Reptiles of Concern". Now, people who own a Burmese or Reticulated python must have a permit and pay a yearly fee of $100. They must also meet new, more stringent caging requirements. Reptiles of Concern must also be implanted with passive integrated transponder (aka microchip). Owners must keep records of births, deaths, sales or transfers and submit them to the FWC.

Even red-eared sliders can no longer be sold or released. And if you acquired yours after July 1, 2007, you must have a permit to keep it! Guess that means my sister is stuck with her slider forever now!! (They claim Mort is too dumb to ever be released anyway. He/She doesn't know she's a turtle. Thinks she's a dog.)

Yay!!! People have released so many pythons, anacondas and boas into the Everglades that they pose a serious threat to native wildlife. It's about time the FWC took steps to stop this insanity.

If you want to read more details about this, go to www.myfwc.com/whatsnew/08/statewide/News_08_X_NewCaptive.htm

Non-natives? Get the "F" out of Florida!

I watched a show on TV this evening...I think it was called "Wild Florida", hosted by Hunter Reno (Janet's niece...whose real name is Karen). Anyway...it talked about the non-native wildlife that is becoming more and more prolific in Florida. Red tailed Boas and Burmese pythons are spreading through the Everglades...Nile Monitors are going crazy in Cape Coral (I didn't see any when I was there a couple weeks ago)...and some funky snail that looks like an Apple Snail on steroids is spreading throughout Florida.

Why do idiots buy creatures that they can't take care of? Don't people bother to research their prospective pets? I mean, before I got my Sulcata tortoise I read about them. I found out what they eat, what kind of habitat they need, how big they get and how long they live. I made an educated decision. I would never EVER release her in the wild.

When we were at the Greenway Trail last weekend, I noticed thay had put up signs...idiot signs complete with pictures...that said not to release any wild animals. not to plant any non-native plants. It's pretty sad they have to even include pictures.

I am an animal lover. I have snakes. I have a dog and a cat. I have a tortoise who will get to be around 150 lbs. one day. But if I am ever on a trail in the ENP and I come across a python...well, it's going to become a dead python real quick. Not out of fear, but out of respect for our native wildlife. It's sad and some may say I'm wrong, but I saw all the destruction they can cause...the upset of our fragile ecosystem cause by there presence...

Just remember to please think twice, long and hard, before you even consider buying a non-native creature, esp. one that can flourish in Florida.

That's all. I'm done ranting. You may continue on with your regularly scheduled programming :)