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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSnakes in the 'Glades
(Bloomberg) The meandering trail in the Everglades marshlands was made by alligators, Im told, so be careful. Theres also poisonwood, fire ants and the recently added Burmese python.
Its really a very harsh place to work, says Kristen M. Hart, a research ecologist for the U.S. Geological Survey and a close follower of the python, which has invaded the Everglades in startling numbers.
We dont know how many there are, Hart says, and thats ultimately the question everyone wants to know.
She reckons tens of thousands in the Everglades, but allows the number could be higher: I think there could be more here now than in their native range of Southeast Asia. ................(more)
The complete piece is at: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-05-03/pythons-swallow-whole-deer-in-florida-6-million-tab.html
HereSince1628
(36,063 posts)each breeding female can lay up to 60 per clutch, and they reach sexual maturity in 2 years...
2on2u
(1,843 posts)USA TODAY:
It sounded like a joke when the news first hit in 2000: Giant Burmese pythons were invading the Everglades. Now scientists have measured the real impact of the arrival of this voracious species, and the news is troubling.
South Florida Water Management District, via AP
Workers hold a nearly 16-foot-long Burmese python captured and killed in Everglades National Park, Fla., in October. The python had consumed a 76-pound adult female deer.
RebelOne
(30,947 posts)At one time, I had two boa constrictors as pets. I finally gave them to the Miami-Dade Community College hands-on lab for kids. They reached 7 feet long and I could no longer find enough rats or mice to feed them. Plus, I was able to deduct them as charitable deductions for tax purposes.
2on2u
(1,843 posts)with your real estate market down there... houses and lots seem seriously reduced in value. Unemployment must be part of the problem, but really.... houses seem to be valued at less than a third of what they once were.
Rittermeister
(170 posts)but in this situation, hunters might actually be able to do some good. Perhaps an unlimited bag limit on these non-native ecological disasters?
quaker bill
(8,225 posts)Pythons and feral hogs can be shot at anytime and in any number, anywhere in FL. A couple of friends in natural lands management keep a high powered rifle handy to perforate pigs as just part of the job, shoot them when you see them. Both are big problems here.
Green iguanas were becoming a big problem as well, but then we had a hard freeze pretty much down to the Keys a few years back. Iguanas don't survive freezes well. Pythons are slowed by freezes but since they are on the ground and in the water, they are fairly well protected down south of here.
We were having some problems locally with Nile monitor lizards getting into residential areas and munching people's cats and small dogs. But I think the freezes handled that as well.
Channeled apple snails and armored catfish are now becoming a local problem. The armored catfish is reportedly a south american delicacy so they may become less of a problem over time. The channeled apple snails get to be the size of a grapefruit, but unfortunately reportedly don't make good escargot, and they are too big and tough for the native limpkins and snail kites to make proper use of.
We have at least gotten the monkeys under control.
It is Florida.
NV Whino
(20,886 posts)The monkeys are running the show.
ellenfl
(8,660 posts)We managed local control by sending some of them to Tallahassee.
xchrom
(108,903 posts)Warpy
(111,437 posts)you'd think some genius would offer a bounty on them based on size. I'm sure the swamp would be chockablock full of good ole boys hunting money with their beloved guns.
Then again the lege is overwhelmingly GOP this term so thinking about the obvious is beyond them.
pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)madinmaryland
(64,934 posts)flvegan
(64,425 posts)Bought an animal or two, got too big or some other shiny object caught your attention, and you helped fuck up an ecosystem. Yay, humans!!!