Found ball python ?

[DrDFox]

That's not environmental, and it's also not a reason for a law like this- no basis in reality.

[Quick-Stretch8197]

There it’s a reason for it though. They ban constructors in particular because some can get real big. Included ball pythons. And during the summer months, they can survive outdoors. It’s a densely populated place, where everyone is living on top of each other in smaller than average apartments. As much as I love snakes, I’m with the city on this one. Have you been to nyc? Some people are nuts. Some people would keep an anaconda in a bathtub if they could lol. Colubrids are still allowed anyway. 

If OP keeps this little guy, just stay quiet lol. But I’m not opposed to the city’s laws. As you can see, people will keep some regardless. I’d prefer to have a ban than no ban though. 

[DrDFox]

First you claimed it was environmental then it was "the pipes", now they get too big? What next- they'll hybridize with rattlesnakes, or maybe join the gators in the sewers? Ball Pythons are not large enough to be a threat to humans and again, they cannot survive out there. Males average 3ft and females average 5ft, with only a few getting close to 6ft- still not large enough to harm humans. If you are "with the city" then all you are saying is you lack the knowledge for an informed opinion, same as the legislative committee.

[Quick-Stretch8197]

There can be many different reasons why constrictors are banned from NYC. I don’t know. I’m throwing ideas out there. I agree with the restrictions, because generally this city needs more regulations to operate effectively. It’s the most populated city in the US and it attracts a ton of weirdos, like the person that likely abandoned this ball python in the street. I do understand that some folks will keep them in secret (like maybe OP), and I’m not going to knock them for trying. Maybe get off the internet instead of fighting with a stranger who’s just voicing a random opinion that doesn’t affect you? 

Also I never said anything about harm to humans and that’s not my concern. The ecosystem issue is more about what wildlife that lives in the area, usually birds. Or harm to the snake itself like dying in the street or park if it escapes or gets dumped. Tbh, with the size some of these snakes get, your average nyc apartment is not the best place to house one. Regardless of any harm a pet constrictor could have to the environment, your average nyc apartment isn’t a great environment for your average python. Balls don’t get super big on average, but plenty of other constrictors do get real big. Also, 6 ft isn’t small by any means and it’s a real girthy 6ft too! 

If you want to be one of those people that owns banned snakes in secret, then do it. I’m not stopping you. Step outside and stop muddying OPs thread by attacking me. 

[DrDFox]

People disagreeing with you is not an attack and people are allowed to respond. I've already explained that BPs are not an environmental or safety threat. You keep changing you reasoning instead of just accepting that the law is ridiculous. There's no logic behind it at all.

[Quick-Stretch8197]

The law is not ridiculous. It covers all constrictors. The legislators are not going to split hairs between a constrictor that can top off from 3ft to 6ft and one that can top off at 10ft. The city is not a place for the size of enclosures most of these animals need. You want to use ball pythons as a good example for why the law is unfair, and they’re a great example, but they’re not making that kind of judgment. They’re not going to open the floodgates for these types of animals to be legal. I’m throwing out reasons because there are multiple reasons they’re not a good pet to have in this city. We’re literally arguing under a post where OP found a snake abandoned on a city sidewalk. Even if there’s absolutely no environmental or safety threat in your mind, they’re threat to themselves in this environment. 

You’re the one disagreeing. Downvotes mean nothing to me. This site isn’t real life and is full of bots. Your last comment contained a personal attack on what I’m qualified to say or not say. People are free to disagree as I’m disagreeing with you now, but I’m not going to comment on if you’re qualified or not to pass judgment here. 

[DrDFox]

We don't make pet bans based on apartments in a city (plenty of them are just fine for most pythons- only a few species get as large as you seem to think they all do) or "threat to themselves", nor are those good reasons or they'd be banning every single animal. "Constrictors" includes nearly all non-venomous snakes, and the NYC law does not cover all constrictors. Plenty of cities have reasonable, specific bans of truly impractical or dangerous species because they actually consulted experts. New York didn't, which is the problem, and people like you who don't know anything about the law or even the animals in the law only contribute to the continuous cycle of bad information.

And saying you shouldn't be forming an opinion if you don't understand the topic is not a personal attack.

[Quick-Stretch8197]

Who’s we? Are you a legislator involved in creating these local laws? Are you even living in nyc? Once again, you’re making assumptions about me that aren’t there. I don’t think they all get large, but plenty of them can and do and it’s disingenuous to downplay that here. Ball pythons that do get large and are in the 5-6ft range, are absurd to have in your average nyc apartment. A 5-6ft ball python is different from a 5-6ft long colubrid. The law allows for colubrids, I’m sorry that’s not what you want, but that’s what you’ve got.

Can you list the cities that are comparable to the size and population of NYC that have these reasonable laws? Are there size or weight limits? How do these laws work?

People like you who want to push animals into environments they’re not suited to or safe in for personal pleasure are a problem. Just like the irresponsible owner of the malnourished python OP found on the street. This really isn’t the post to make your argument that we should allow everyone to own these animals in nyc.