Interior seeks ban on 5 more species of giant snakes

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking more public comment on a proposal to add five types of giant snakes to an existing federal python ban. Officials have proposed adding boa constrictors, reticulated pythons and three species of anacondas to the ban that already prohibits anyone from importing Burmese pythons, yellow anacondas and northern and southern African pythons into the U.S. or transporting them across state lines. Comments may be submitted online through July 24. The North Carolina-based United States Association of Reptile Keepers has sued the federal government to overturn the ban, saying an initial proposal to ban all nine snake species cost its members tens of millions of dollars. Attorneys for the wildlife service and Interior Secretary Sally Jewell have asked a judge to dismiss the lawsuit.  AP