Snakes like this albino python could be banned from being sold as pets. (Photo by Kimberly Urcho)

The business of big snakes fetches over $100 million annually, but business owners are now angry about a federal ban that aims to halt the importation and transportation of nine species of the popular pets. 

Jay Brewer, owner of Prehistoric Pets in Huntington Beach said reptile sales generate a lot of income for his pet store.

“I mean, they really start from like 80 bucks to 20,000,” said Brewer of his snakes, lizards and turtles.

When Brewer found out the government wishes to place a ban on nine species of large snakes, he thought it was as preposterous as prohibition.

“Prohibition is the same concept. You know, enough people freaked out… Me? I don’t drink wine and beer, but I like my animals. And you know what— I’m not the only one who likes animals.”

Boa constrictors and species of python and anacondas are the snakes on the government’s blacklist.  The New York Times reports that nearly one million Americans own these types of snakes. But in the Everglades these former pets are thriving and have become a danger to native wildlife.

Tommy Owens, a reptile expert from the San Diego Zoo, said snakes on the list are a threat because they will eat anything in their sight, as long as they can flourish in an environment.

“Being a python, they will eat anything that’s moving, that they see fit as prey. That can be birds, other reptiles, and mammals… In certain climates of the U.S. they can live year round. So if they can live year round and there’s a large population of them, they can become an established invasive species.”

Breeders of large snakes will take the biggest economic hit if the ban is passed.  Brewer says his business could be destroyed over night.

“About 25 years ago I bred my first python. It happens to be the exact python that’s causing the ban in Florida. For some pet stores it might be 25 percent of their business. For me, I breed hundreds and thousands of pythons, and that’s probably 50 percent of my income or better,” said the store owner.

Brewer hopes that instead of banning the pets the government will require snake owners to obtain a license in order to keep them.