In Daytona Beach Florida police went into a home which was under surveillance as an accused marijuana grow house when they discovered all types of snakes living within the household.

Vipers and Burmese pythons were among the snakes discovered in the home of James Walsh, 51.

Although Police and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission were quick to determine that the snakes were actually pets and not meant for trafficking nor extracting venom for business the animal were confiscated.

Joy Hill of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation said “He just had a collection of snakes without permits.”

The pets were a series of Gaboon vipers, one water moccasin, one eastern diamondback rattlesnake, one eyelash viper, five Burmese pythons and a 14 foot albino reticulated python.

“Reptiles of concern are those that may escape and become an environmental problem or nuisance,” said Hill.

Yet Walsh could not afford the permits required for the ownership of the reptiles, and as of July 1 Florida permits will no longer be given.

People who already have these permitted animals will be allowed to keep them until they die, but will not be able to get new permits for the species.

“The only reason a permit will be given for conditional species is if these animals are for exhibition or sale,” Hill said.

As a result Walsh was cited for possession of venomous reptiles without a permit, possession of reptiles of concern without a permit, unsafe housing of venomous reptiles and having no positive identification of non-native reptiles.

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