Florida's Newest Problem: Burmese Pythons

[SandyBee]

I think I'd pass out if I saw any type of large or venomous snake near me! I remember my friend had a python and used to 'wear' it around his neck! I guess it was friendly, but I really didn't want to become aquainted with it.

http://www.comcast.net/news/national/index.jsp?cat=DOMESTIC&fn=/2006/04/14/367750.html

And Igauna's too!!!

.

I used to have several iguana's as pets. The male iguana is very territorial, and will bite and smack you with it's tail. Female iguana's are usually very relaxed and friendly. I'm not sure if the wild ones out in FL are different or not? I can tell you that iguana's go anywhere from $100-$200 (depending on size) out here in pet shops. I think instead of killing it, I'd try and see if a pet shop wanted to buy it. If there are that many roaming around, one may be able to quit their day job.

 

[Amraann]

We have bearded dragons as part of our menagere


My experience with iguana's as pets and those in South Florida??
THe wild ones are much larger!!!
I would never kill the igauna's
They are harmless.
I am not sure what the issue is with these people in that town??

Here in the Keys the Igauna's are less annoying then squierells
which eat the fruit off my trees

 

[Nova]

I think I'd pass out if I saw any type of large or venomous snake near me!

When I was kid (7 or 8) playing in the swamps west of Ft. Lauderdale, I picked up a rock, exposing a small water moccasin underneath. Panicked (I imagine), it proceeded to slither up my pant's leg. I didn't pass out, but I was too surprised to move.

The snake apparently realized there was only the one exit to my trouser leg and went back out the way it came in.

The house I lived in then sat on a canal, so water moccasins and the occasional copperhead were pretty common sights. They usually only bothered us when they were guarding a nest.

Now a cottonmouth in a sleeping bag. That's scary!

====

Does anyone know: They used to teach us only one breed of rattlesnake in Florida. Were the two others added by man or are they recently discovered?

 

[bakerprune64]

When I was kid (7 or 8) playing in the swamps west of Ft. Lauderdale, I picked up a rock, exposing a small water moccasin underneath. Panicked (I imagine), it proceeded to slither up my pant's leg. I didn't pass out, but I was too surprised to move.

The snake apparently realized there was only the one exit to my trouser leg and went back out the way it came in.

The house I lived in then sat on a canal, so water moccasins and the occasional copperhead were pretty common sights. They usually only bothered us when they were guarding a nest.

Now a cottonmouth in a sleeping bag. That's scary!

====

Does anyone know: They used to teach us only one breed of rattlesnake in Florida. Were the two others added by man or are they recently discovered?

OMG, Nova!! I would have head a heart attack right there. I do not, repeat do not, like snakes and probably would do anything in my power to kill one, dangerous or not, just to get it away from me or my family (dogs included). I know there are some snake lovers out there:truce: . But I don't like snakes no matter what their ecological value may be.

 

[Dark Knight]

Do Florida panthers (the animal, not the team) ever attack anyone, or are they too rare, really?

 

[RiverRat]

OMG! I soooo remember the trips to the Miami Serpentarium!! That guy, Bill Haass, was crazyyyyy! I remember him turing that king cobra loose in the grass and catching it to milk for the venom He had to close the place down after that kid fell into the croc. pit and Cookie killed him. There were signs posted that said "do not place children or belongings on wall" stupid parents sat the kids up there, kid fell in and the croc. killed the poor child.

Some of the problem with the booming Python population is the fact that when hurricanes destroyed homes/businesses, there was a boom in popluations of all animals that were previously domestic and had been turned loose from the destruction of their homes. JMO.

That guy lives here in my neck of the woods, as well as his pet snakes......Now THAT was one of my biggest fears during Hurricane Charley!

RR

 

[tezi]

That guy lives here in my neck of the woods, as well as his pet snakes......Now THAT was one of my biggest fears during Hurricane Charley!

RR

That would have been my biggest fear. Of course, I am terrified of snakes, and I don't care who knows it. I know that all the snakes in S. AR have weekly meetings on how to scare me to death! They are all conspiring against me, I just know it!!!!!

 

[CyberLaw]

the original tez:

I am SO with you, just reading about snakes on your post, anything about snakes, seeing them on TV or anything about them, makes me feel very, very anxious.

When I mean anxious, I mean I felt like I was going to have a "stroke" when my oldest son "thought" he saw a snake and went to investigate.

My oldest is such a kidder........."Mom, do you want me to go get Dad, I was just kidding, really there is no snake, Mom seriously there is no snake, really I mean it.... Mom, breathe, Mom, you don't look so good, Mom...are you O.K.......DAD, DAD, I think Mom is going to faint......she looks pale, DAD.......DAD.

The kid was "mortified" and learned his lesson......he was very concerned that his "joke" was going to send me to the hospital with an "anxiety" attack.

I won't even go to the Zoo, or anywhere there might be even a "remote" chance of even seeing a picture of a snake, let alone a real snake.

But the human kind of snakes, don't bother me half as much........I can deal with them.......

 

[tezi]

the original tez:

I am SO with you, just reading about snakes on your post, anything about snakes, seeing them on TV or anything about them, makes me feel very, very anxious.

When I mean anxious, I mean I felt like I was going to have a "stroke" when my oldest son "thought" he saw a snake and went to investigate.

My oldest is such a kidder........."Mom, do you want me to go get Dad, I was just kidding, really there is no snake, Mom seriously there is no snake, really I mean it.... Mom, breathe, Mom, you don't look so good, Mom...are you O.K.......DAD, DAD, I think Mom is going to faint......she looks pale, DAD.......DAD.

The kid was "mortified" and learned his lesson......he was very concerned that his "joke" was going to send me to the hospital with an "anxiety" attack.

I won't even go to the Zoo, or anywhere there might be even a "remote" chance of even seeing a picture of a snake, let alone a real snake.

But the human kind of snakes, don't bother me half as much........I can deal with them.......

OH, CL! My 14-year-old does that to me all the time. He doesn't get how scared I am. A snake would not have to bite me, I'd just die of a heart attack before it had a chance.

Two summers ago, we were going to mow the lawn. Well, my plans got changed in a big way, because I went over to the lawn mower and there was a baby copperhead in the seat. I lost it. Man, I had to find my xanax and just take about three of them. My DH killed the snake, but I learned my lesson about going near the lawnmower by myself!

Then, his jerk of a brother moved in with us from Colorado with his two burmese pythons. I didn't leave my room the whole time that those snakes resided in my living room. He was told not to take them out of the tank, but I know he did when we weren't home. Needless to say, he didn't last here long.....

 

[MeoW333]

Hee, hee...don't just imagine! Take a look Cyberlaw!

http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/snakegator.asp

OMG the dang thing looks like an Anaconda!!

 

[GlitchWizard]

http://www.floridapanther.com/

"Attacks on humans are unknown."

For the person who asked.

There are only about 90 in the wild and those are captured and monitored with equipment. They've learned to stay clear of humans, I believe.

 

[Pepper]

When I was kid (7 or 8) playing in the swamps west of Ft. Lauderdale, I picked up a rock, exposing a small water moccasin underneath. Panicked (I imagine), it proceeded to slither up my pant's leg. I didn't pass out, but I was too surprised to move.

The snake apparently realized there was only the one exit to my trouser leg and went back out the way it came in.

The house I lived in then sat on a canal, so water moccasins and the occasional copperhead were pretty common sights. They usually only bothered us when they were guarding a nest.

Now a cottonmouth in a sleeping bag. That's scary!

====

Does anyone know: They used to teach us only one breed of rattlesnake in Florida. Were the two others added by man or are they recently discovered?

The only good snake is a dead snake IMO. :chicken:

 

[GlitchWizard]

The only good snake is a dead snake IMO. :chicken:

Pandora is a sweet snake. I'll bet she could change your mind if you could meet her.

 

[LionRun]

One of my pet peeves is when their is a negative impact on native species as a result of the introduction of non-native species. Years ago English House Sparrows and European Starlings were introduced and overtook many of our beautiful songbird's environments and nesting sites. I love Eastern Bluebirds, yet sparrows and starlings were wiping them out, often intentionally killing them. Both species are very aggressive compared with our beloved small songbirds.

The National Audobon Society began years ago to design birdhouses specifically for small songbirds and Eastern Bluebirds in particular. For example, the circumference of the entrance is about 1 1/4", which allows Bluebirds and other small, native cavity nesting songbirds to enter. Yet, the sparrows and starlings have a harder time accessing the houses, so this gives some of our beautiful songbirds a chance. And, according to all that I've researched it is helping. We have a Bluebird house, and every year there are about three broods that leave the box!

Unfortunately, much of the Florida everglades and other areas in Florida and in the southern US has excellent conditions for the survival of Burmese Pythons. This is why they are doing so well. No doubt other large constrictors have been dumped, and some survive. But, the Burmese Python is doing especially well.

I've been reading about and watching documentaries about this for years, and the problem is getting worse according to reports I've heard about. Larger Burmese Pythons can easily kill our pets and even our children. They can kill an adult as well, but might have a challenge in consuming an adult. They are silent hunters so they can sneak up on their prey--whatever that might be.

From reports I've read, based on the environment in which the Burmese Python thrives on in their native land they could eventually populate the lower 1/3 of the US. That is a huge area, and it will have ramifications if it happens. The Burmese Python is a hearty and prolific species, they have no natural predators in the US, and I think that one day they may become too established to fully eradicate. This may already be the case.

I have no problem with snakes at all. They have a purpose, and they do good for our environment. I love and/or respect all animals. I live in a rural area with an environment that happens to be great for the local snake fauna. I joke to friends about getting a, "snake crossing" sign because we sometimes need to stop to let a snake cross our paths right outside our doors.

But, these snakes have no place here--or at least they shouldn't have. This problem is primarily the result of irresponsible owners dumping their pet snakes once they grew to be too large and costly. Hmmmm. Some people do that with their dogs and cats too.

Lion

 

[Amraann]

"I've been reading about and watching documentaries about this for years, and the problem is getting worse according to reports I've heard about. Larger Burmese Pythons can easily kill our pets and even our children. They can kill an adult as well, but might have a challenge in consuming an adult. They are silent hunters so they can sneak up on their prey--whatever that might be.

From reports I've read, based on the environment in which the Burmese Python thrives on in their native land they could eventually populate the lower 1/3 of the US. That is a huge area, and it will have ramifications if it happens. The Burmese Python is a hearty and prolific species, they have no natural predators in the US, and I think that one day they may become too established to fully eradicate. This may already be the case."



Lion run on the bright side the Everglades are not populated with a lot of people.
There is also a growing population of cobra's in the Glades.
The cobra's and the pythons are actively hunted.

 

[panglossian]

One of the most beautiful snakes in existence is the Indigo, a constrictor native to Florida. It is black but radiates the rainbow when in the sun. This good natured snake can be easily handled and is valuable in pest control.
I am certain that the python will negatively impact the environment of the Indigo snake, as they are both constrictors.
I am so against the importing of exotic species into this country because it displaces our natives.

 

[LionRun]

"I've been reading about and watching documentaries about this for years, and the problem is getting worse according to reports I've heard about. Larger Burmese Pythons can easily kill our pets and even our children. They can kill an adult as well, but might have a challenge in consuming an adult. They are silent hunters so they can sneak up on their prey--whatever that might be.

From reports I've read, based on the environment in which the Burmese Python thrives on in their native land they could eventually populate the lower 1/3 of the US. That is a huge area, and it will have ramifications if it happens. The Burmese Python is a hearty and prolific species, they have no natural predators in the US, and I think that one day they may become too established to fully eradicate. This may already be the case."



Lion run on the bright side the Everglades are not populated with a lot of people.
There is also a growing population of cobra's in the Glades.
The cobra's and the pythons are actively hunted.

Hey there amra:blowkiss:. I hope all is well with you. I heard about the Cobras, too. My biggest concern is that non-native species such as various species of Cobras and constrictors are or will soon be so well established that they may become difficult or impossible to eradicate. I think this poses some risk for humans, pets and our native wildlife. And, of course it just angers me to that the problem arose from some irresponsible exotic animal owners.

My ex-husband brought an Indigo snake back from south Texas years ago. He said that it would be good because they kill rattle snakes (which they do). I thought we should leave the snake in south Texas where it normally lives.

Well, hubby brought, "Indy" home anyway and set him/her free. This snake was beautiful as snakes go. I think the name may come from the unique indigo shimmer, although they are black(don't quote me here). This snake was 6 1/2 feet long with a rather wide girth and very, very docile.

Well about two months later one of our neighbors called to tell us that she was walking by the creek and saw the hugest, most unusual snake she'd ever seen. She described a large black snake with a metallic blue shimmer. It scared the heck out of her, but she was glad to know that Indy was harmless and liked to dine on rattle snakes.

Lion