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Some poisonous slithering animals put some Floridians on high alert this past fall, and now state officials are in the process of reacting. As Matt Galka tells us, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission could be planning some changes to the rules permitting residents to own poisonous reptiles.

You can find plenty of scaly animals at Carol’s Critters near the state capitol. Owner Carol Hoover says the snakes can be pretty popular, but none of them are venomous.

“No we don’t carry venomous, you need special permits for venomous, we don’t have the proper setup. They are behind locks, venomous need to be behind locks, but we do not carry them,” she said.

You need a permit to own venomous reptiles in Florida.  But fish and wildlife officials could be considering a change. It comes after scares in both Orlando and Fort Myers where poisonous cobra’s escaped from their owners.

Fish and wildlife officials may even consider banning the reptiles altogether. Hoover, who used to own venomous reptiles herself, isn’t sure that’s the answer

“If you ban it then it makes it even more desirable, and people will obtain them illegally and own them anyhow,” she said.

The state’s fish and wildlife conservation commission plans on contacting permit holders for their input.