Burmese python is a great animal, aficionado says

BEACON PHOTO/PAT HATFIELD
Snakes alive! — Gary Locker of Animalia Pets in Downtown DeLand, right, assisted by John Lux, shows off Dino, a 12.5-foot-long Burmese python. Locker said the 6-year-old Dino is very tame and poses no threat, at least to people. Mice and rabbits may have another opinion.

Photo courtesy USGS, BY Roy Wood, National Park Service
A python, up close and person

By Pat Hatfield
BEACON STAFF WRITER

posted Nov 2, 2009 - 10:00:23am

At the Halloween Monsters on Mainstreet event, Gary Locker wore an unusual accessory.

Locker, who owns Animalia Pets, was accompanied by Dino, a 12.5-foot, 130-pound Burmese python.

Bills have been introduced in Congress to ban the import of Burmese pythons, but Dino has a lot of friends at Locker's Downtown DeLand shop.

"We're a reptile-of-concerns store," Locker said.

Locker is licensed, both personally and professionally, to keep snakes and lizards, including Burmese pythons, African rock pythons, amethystine pythons, reticulated pythons, green anacondas and Nile monitors.

The licenses are issued through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), which inspects to ensure the animals are properly caged and cared for. It is illegal to possess these animals without the $100 license.

Locker has been in the animal business all his life. He used to sell 100 Burmese pythons a year.

His Downtown DeLand store has been open for 10 months.

"I haven't sold one yet," he said.

Nowadays, most Burmese pythons are sold online, not in pet stores, he said.

Pet Stop on the south side of DeLand does not sell the snakes.

Locker has two Burmese pythons. One is an albino female. One is Dino, who was left in a box at the store's back door not long after the shop opened. Locker is sure Dino was dropped off by someone who owned the snake and couldn't care for him any longer.

Dino got a veterinary examination and microchip right away.

Locker described Dino as "a great animal. He's no threat. Kids pet him."

Pythons should never be fed in their cages, Locker said. This keeps them from confusing human hands with food.

The snakes should be fed regularly, however, and it costs between $50 and $100 a month.

Pythons who are raised from babies and are handled and fed regularly are not a danger to people, Locker said. Their owners need to be educated on their care and handling.

His affection for Dino was obvious, as Locker petted, praised and showed off the snake.

Locker said he and his wife, Michele, met at a pet store. They trust Dino around their 4-year-old son. Their 14-year-old daughter, who helps out at Animalia Pets, said she loves Dino and the other snakes.

Locker said he's negotiating with FWC for his shop to become a drop-off point for unlicensed snakes. Right now, the FWC holds periodic amnesty days when owners can surrender unlicensed reptiles without penalty. The next day is Nov. 7 at Busch Gardens in Tampa. Read more at www.myfwc.com.

Releasing any exotic wildlife in Florida is a first-degree misdemeanor with a penalty of up to one year in prison and a $1,000 fine.

Additional measures went into effect in 2008 to limit and control the sale of reptiles of concern.

In addition to the $100 annual permit, snake owners must have microchips implanted in reptiles of concern that are greater than 2 inches in diameter.

Currently, no laws ban the import of Burmese pythons, though bills have been introduced in Congress.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which oversees animal imports, is currently gathering information and assessments that could lead to an administrative ban on the imports next year.

— pat@beacononlinenews.com

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