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Reptile shows are filled with people, including young college students, who love these misunderstood animals, but have no idea what they might be getting into when they buy one.

With reptile laws growing by the day it is hard for reptile lovers to wrap their arms around their 18-foot python or their head around the restrictions.

The college student with little to no time may consider owning a reptile an ideal solution. Most snakes only require feeding once a week to once a month, depending on age and size. Larger snakes fed once monthly will only defecate about once a month and that means a lot less clean-up as compared to other pets.

There are no annual vet visits required or vaccines to keep up to date, all of which makes for low upkeep cost.

That is, until recent laws were established to preserve Florida's natural wildlife and ecology. The Reptiles of Concern Law was created by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in early 2008 to ease the growing concern for the state's wildlife and ecology.

The non-native reptile species population is growing for many reasons, but the most prominent is locals letting them go in our backyards.

The current animals listed in this law, by common name, are Burmese pythons, reticulated pythons, African rock pythons, scrub pythons, green anacondas and the Nile monitor. The Nile monitor has the largest growing population in South Florida, according to Kevin Enge a herpetologist with the FWC of Florida.

"What kept boas off this list is the 12-foot restriction," said Enge.

The new cost acquired with owning such pets has become a large concern for students and anyone else in possession of such exotic pets. The new law requires that these reptiles be micro chipped once they are over two inches in diameter and owners pay $100 annually to register their pets.

Enge's hope though is that "it stops impulse buying."

"I find it excessive in cost and requirements," said Scott Baldwin, a 21-year-old student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Baldwin is currently a proud parent of five reptiles of which none are listed currently as a concern. He is the owner of two Colombian red tail boas, a Nicaraguan red tail boa, a Sun Glow corn snake and a peach throat monitor.

According to Enge these new laws and fees were placed to hold those who release such animals into Florida's natural environment responsible for their actions. With the growing concern for these pets comes the publicity of their actions, as well as the owners. Most recently it has been the concern of the interspecies breeding of the African rock python and the Burmese python. Although this breeding is possible it is not probable says Enge.

"Sensationalism of the media," is what Enge calls the publicity. "There are plenty of reticulated pythons in the wild that they will more than likely breed with their own kind. There is no need for interspecies breeding with the rock python."

The larger concern, however, is the behavior of the African rock combined with the insane size to which the Burmese is able to grow. The African rock python is not known for having the best temperament and Burmese pythons have been found in South Florida at the length of around 17 feet, according to the Environmental News Service. This very long length is not necessarily common, but it does show the possibilities.

Still, there is good news for those who no longer want or are unable to keep such reptiles. Several zoos host "Amnesty Day" for the FWC of Florida. At these events owners are able to bring in their reptiles of concern and give up possession without repercussions or proper documentation. The zoos then shelter these pets until proper adoption is possible.

The zoos themselves only host such events and are not to be used as an everyday drop-off for such pets. For information on Amnesty Days, Reptiles of Concern or Non-Native Species information please see the FWC website at www.myfwc.com. If you have a concern to report or have a specific question, you can reach them at their general information line at 352-732-1225 and your call will be directed appropriately.

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