Due to the increase of exotic pets being released into the Everglades National Park, the Florida Fish & Game Commission, created an the program, "Non-Native Amnesty Days". This program is for pet owners of non-traditional pets like snakes and lizards, amphibians and birds, and mammals, can deposit these animals without risk of prosecution for illegal dumping of exotic species.
The Commission has developed a list of exotic breeds that had been released into the wild through the pet trade by dealers and escaped from cages, and because of their formidable size and aggressive natures and breeding in the wild with damage and danger to native wildlife. The list includes: Burmese pythons and African Rock pythons, Amethystine pythons and Reticulated pythons, Green anaconda and Nile Monitor lizards.
Recently listed were 4 species of Burmese pythons and 2 subspecies of African Rock pythons and a Yellow Anaconda. These listed are now since 2012, illegal to import into the USA.
The Florida Wildlife Commission has a specific hunting season, whereby they allow exotic hunters into wildlife management areas to hunt and catch, euthenize and then sell the meat and hides from these exotic animals.
Also exotic snake owners are required to pay a $100 permit fee and have their pets microchip implanted so if lost they can be identified.
Microchip snakes? Some snakes are quite small, and I don't know if it is a good idea. Is the $100 permit fee for individual snakes or just one permit is enough for each snake owner?
Some pets got loose while the owners weren't looking or through some kind of accident. Others had been intentionally dumped when the owners no longer have love for them. It will be nice to have some nonprofit organization specialized in capture, adopting or "deporting" invasive pet species.
It is a good idea to take steps to prevent unwanted reptiles from being released into the wild. Conditions might be similar to their native habitat, but they are going to have to prey on different species than those that would make up their natural food source. This can create an ecological imbalance in their new territory.
If all owners of exotic snakes are required to purchase a licence, and prove that they are providing the right conditions for keeping their pets, that is another good scheme. If it is possible to microchip the reptile, that would help, but even better would be to ensure that every step has been taken to prevent pet reptiles from escaping
It's only now that people see the danger of bringing these exotic pets into the country as they are endangering the native animal species. Sometimes I can't understand how people would buy pets and not research on it like how big they'll grow or if they can sustain it. I think people need to get a permit and attend a seminar before they are allowed to buy a pet. This way it'll give them time to think if they are indeed ready for one.
This video talks about the most invasive exotic species in Florida, and what is being done to control these wild pests and also how the puvblic can get involved in order to help wildlife officals control or stop the species before it has time to breed and reproduce into uncontrollable levels. It is your chance to do what is right to protect all native environments from being destroyed.
Reptiles of Concern 
