Pythons in the Everglades

[taabru45]

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/video/us-22424 ... 30170.html

I remember a couple of years ago, Capnjuan talking about the growing Python problem in the Everglades, hard to reverse the situation now, Not sure I'd want a 200 pound snake in my neighborhood, a dog maybe... :wink: Steffan

 

[bluesypicky]

Yes Steffan, it's getting to be a real environmental issue, and since you mention it, here's a few pics of one they caught not too long ago, that had just swallowed a whole deer.... :shock:

 

[taabru45]

Unbelievable..... :shock: :shock: ....sure hope they don't develop an appetite for Guilds..... :!:

 

[davismanLV]

HOLY $HIT!! It ate a WHOLE DEER!! That's messed up.... totally. Jeeze.....

 

[evenkeel]

This story was reported in the local paper (Tamp Bay Times) yesterday. In the areas where the snakes are living the raccoon, rabbit and other small mammal populations are gone, virtually 100% wiped out. These snakes will eat almost anything. Even alligators.

 

[learnintoplay62]

:shock: :shock: :shock: Well I hope they didn't let it go to waste. They could make about 40 pairs of boots out of that one. Again, irresponsible people wreck it for everyone.

 

[Dr Izza Plumber]

I've heard that We already have invasive snakes in the canals in My neck of the woods.
Could be, because the fishing has been lousy, and fewer gators have been seen more recently.

I always keep a DA auto pistol in My back pocket when fishing the canals.....just in case!

 

[silverfox103]

Looks like that snake may have needed a laxative.

Tom C.

 

[Ravon]

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/video/us-22424932/report-pythons-wiping-out-mammals-in-the-florida-everglades-28130170.html

I remember a couple of years ago, Capnjuan talking about the growing Python problem in the Everglades, hard to reverse the situation now, Not sure I'd want a 200 pound snake in my neighborhood, a dog maybe... :wink: Steffan

Sad and scary :shock: . Do they still allow these things to even be sold and or kept in the US? Hell, it didn't take a genius to see this coming when they were selling them here when I was a kid 40 yrs ago

 

[kitniyatran]

News has been talking about the problem a lot lately. I think there's now a ban on importing Burmese Pythons & some other reptiles, maybe all the constrictor species(?). There are also a lot of monitor lizards causing problems in Southwest Florida, & iguanas and others.

 

[Ross]

I think there's now a ban on importing Burmese Pythons & some other reptiles, maybe all the constrictor species(?). There are also a lot of monitor lizards causing problems in Southwest Florida, & iguanas and others.

All pythons and boas (and monitor lizards too) are considered endangered species under CITES. International movement of these animals is highly restricted. However, they are easily bred in captivity, and so they're readily available just about anywhere. Many people purchase cute pet reptiles, but when they become large, ill-tempered adults, the owners abandon them.

 

[killdeer43]

I had two Colombian red-tail boas when I lived in Texas.
They were clean and quiet and I always drew a crowd at feeding time. Wonderful pets.

When I left the Lone Star State, I handed them over to the good herpetologists at the Hermann Park Zoo in Houston. Seemed like the responsible thing to do. Releasing any non-native critter into the wild is just asking for trouble down the road, and even a little excitement when someone else finds it! :shock:

My dos centavos,
Joe

 

[Ross]

I had two Colombian red-tail boas when I lived in Texas.
They were clean and quiet and I always drew a crowd at feeding time. Wonderful pets.

When I left the Lone Star State, I handed them over to the good herpetologists at the Hermann Park Zoo in Houston. Seemed like the responsible thing to do. Releasing any non-native critter into the wild is just asking for trouble down the road, and even a little excitement when someone else finds it! :shock:

My dos centavos,
Joe

Good on ya, Joe. If only every pet owner was as responsible!

 

[adorshki]

Interesting. Been a lot of documetaries on the problem recently. Now there seems to be some worry that an aggressive African species will cross breed with the less aggressive Burmese already in the wild. It was also mentioned though, that the winters may turn out not to be warm enough often enough for them to survive long term.
Also seem to remember another show examining the authenticity of some very similar shots, in this case of an asian constrictor supposedly having consumed a human.
Hate to sound arbitrarily contrary, but somethin' do look just a little funny there... I don't remember hearing about any that big, here, yet, and with all due respect...somehow it's hard to believe that deer was able to get past that snake's head, even if DID have it's jaw "disconnected".... :shock:

 

[Ravon]

Interesting. Been a lot of documetaries on the problem recently. Now there seems to be some worry that an aggressive African species will cross breed with the less aggressive Burmese already in the wild. It was also mentioned though, that the winters may turn out not to be warm enough often enough for them to survive long term.
Also seem to remember another show examining the authenticity of some very similar shots, in this case of an asian constrictor supposedly having consumed a human.
Hate to sound arbitrarily contrary, but somethin' do look just a little funny there... I don't remember hearing about any that big, here, yet, and with all due respect...somehow it's hard to believe that deer was able to get past that snake's head, even if DID have it's jaw "disconnected".... :shock:

This nightmare is real and all this is happening as we speak, as unbelievable as it all sounds and looks

 

[jcwu]

Yes Steffan, it's getting to be a real environmental issue, and since you mention it, here's a few pics of one they caught not too long ago, that had just swallowed a whole deer.... :shock:

That... could've been a child. *shiver*

 

[adorshki]

This nightmare is real and all this is happening as we speak, as unbelievable as it all sounds and looks

Coincidentally saw another very current documentary on the problem last night confirming 10's of thousands of suspected snakes now.. :shock: ...scientists capturing and implanting 'em with tracking devices to try to learn where/when propogation occurs..
I'd make bad science fiction movie jokes but I'm sincerely sympathetic to the concerns.
It did occur to me that it might make for good propaganda to discourage prison escape arttempts at least.