Indiscriminate habitat destruction is a much greater threat than burmese pythons in the glades, but to most media outlets it is not nearly as newsworthy. This (habitat destruction, not poor media coverage)has been the problem in south Florida since the middle 1800's and will continue to be a major problem for years to come. See "Losing it all to Sprawl", Belleville, University Press of Florida



Burmese are not even the most problematic species introduced into Florida. Commerce and international trade have introduced numerous pestilential species that result in huge economic impacts, threaten the health of native flora and fauna, change habitat, etc. Not to mention the practice of extinguishing all wildland fires in an area where much of our forested land was fire maintained habitat. Even in the Glades.



I have observed one burmese (adult) in the Glades within the park boundaries and one (adult) on the border of the park. Several were found in recovered from an agricultural field a few miles from the park entrance (I have no reason for the density with the possible exception of food availability). I have recovered numerous species from primarily suburban yards - common boa constricors, burmese pythons (largest 14 feet), ball pythons, (1) anaconda (12 feet. With one exception (an african rock python), these animals were not defensive when collected which indicates they were probably captive at some point. There is an identified problem of irresponsible pet owners, but this problem also exists for cat and dog owners. Being responsible for another living organism is inconvenient to many people.





There is a huge problem of perception about what constitutes danger. People are inordinately afraid of being killed and/or eaten by sharks and alligators, or bitten by a venomous snake. In the US they are much more likely to be killed in a car accident(approximately 38,000 to 40,000 annually per CDC)or even a dog (approximately 20 deaths per year, primarily 4 to 9 year olds again per the CDC). Admittedly, to most folks a large python is intimidating (most people find even the little snakes frightening regardless of species). Other than it being a banner year for alligator attacks (little rainfall so far this year), an alligator is many more times more likely to be killed by a person. Particularly now. Sharks attacks have been consistent at around 70 or so per year for the past several decades (G. Burgess, international shark attack file). This is dry information and not near alarming enough to attract the interest of the media.





This leads us to the next issue. The media distorts information and magnifies problems so that it grabs attention. It is not to provide you with accurate information so that an informed decision can be made. It is to attract your attention so that you will sit through a few commercials. If it was vitally important to your health and safety they would tell you immediately, not to wait until the 11:00 News. So it may be unwise to depend on the news to present the "facts".



Furthermore, elected officials are great at dealing with "threats" to their constituents, real or imagined. Many will do anything, no matter how ineffectual, to assuage the fears of voters. Nothing gets them votes like saving the potential voter from the burmese menace. If no burmese attacks take place the official can claim responsibility for no burmese attacks since the passing of his favored legislation.



I am now officially rambling.



94% of social statistics are made up on the spot.

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