Posted by:
herpsltd
at Fri Feb 22 11:13:34 2008 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by herpsltd ]
Actually no one is for sure how long Burmese Pythons have been in the Glades but its been a long time for sure. I've worked with state biologists on documented sitings in the Western Everglades for some time. Pythons have been found as far south as the Shark River on the West Coast. If you look at a map that is 50-60 miles from the nearest road which is an indication that they have naturally colonized the entire s. third of Fl. No one took a looong boat trip to release a python. I documented a roadkill 15' snake north of Alligator Alley on s.r. 29. Indeed they are relatively abundant in certain areas. Having said this I don't think they will post much of a threat to anything except for overegulations that do not make sense and are unenforceable. It is also impossible for them to colonize desert areas and other uninhabitable terrain for Burmese. When you look at potential habitat you have to look at more than just mean temperatures. Most of the area on U.S.A. Today is uninhabitable for P. molurus. When snakes have been captured or killed and stomach contents analyzed small mammals including WILD FERAL CATS have been found. The most alarming thing about the Pythons is the fact it is sensational news. The idea of a 20' plus giant snake species living in the U.S. is of extreme interest to any news media. The fact that they are here gives ammunition for animal right nuts to attack and has little to do with the actual threat which is about nonexistant. Remember the Walking Catfish[Clarious ssp.] hoopla several decades ago here in fl. When they were discovered Fl. quickly made them illegal to import, possess, etc. The news media said these fish would destroy our native fish populations. Well they along hundreds of other alien fish are still here but its stll illegal to have a Walking Catfish even though any fresh water area is FILLED with them. BY THE WAY THE NATIVE FISH ARE DOING WELL ALSO. This Burmese Python hysteria is similar but more newsworthy and I'm afraid the same thing will happen. If today you could magically stop all imports and destroy all captives the Burmese Pythons are here to stay. At this point I believe it would be IMPOSSIBLE to eradicate Pythons from the Everglades unless they pave it over and build shopping malls. The Everglades Wilderness Area is about 4,000 square miles with very few roads. The terrain is almost impossible to travel in on foot. THE POWERS THAT BE WILL NEVER ERADICATE THEM!!! In the continental U.S. the only place they could survive and prosper would be S. Fl. and S.E. Texas. Burmese Pythons are now a permenant addition to the next Field Guide on Fl. Herps. It would be ridiculous to make these snakes illegal at this point. I think the way Fl. has regulated these snakes and a few others is both reasonable and sane. AGAIN THIS WHOLE THING IS BLOWN ALL OUT OF PROPORTION TO FACILITATE THE INFRINGEMENT OF OUR RIGHTS ONCE AGAIN. I've talked to many biologist that feel that these snakes will have little impact on anything but can't speak out. Human development does more damage in an hour than these snakes ever will in the course of history. Sorry for the rant.....TC
[ Hide Replies ]
- Regarding Burms in the Everglades... - ChrisGilbert, Thu Feb 21 10:26:01 2008
- RE: Regarding Burms in the Everglades... - ajfreptiles, Thu Feb 21 12:02:47 2008
- RE: Regarding Burms in the Everglades... - AbsoluteApril, Thu Feb 21 12:19:18 2008
- RE: Regarding Burms in the Everglades... - happysurgeman, Thu Feb 21 12:35:42 2008
- RE: Regarding Burms in the Everglades... - brd, Thu Feb 21 13:01:16 2008
- RE: Regarding Burms in the Everglades... - Snakesatsunset, Thu Feb 21 13:12:47 2008
- RE: CATS!!!!!! - Jeremy Stone, Thu Feb 21 23:13:14 2008
- RE: Regarding Burms in the Everglades... - BOAS_ETC, Fri Feb 22 11:52:13 2008
- Cats? ,,,whatever .. - wstreps, Fri Feb 22 13:32:30 2008
- I recommend... - caparu, Fri Feb 22 15:38:03 2008
|
RE: Regarding Burms in the Everglades... - herpsltd, Fri Feb 22 11:13:34 2008