I'm not missing the point.

You asked why the opposition was silent on the attrition rate in the Everglades. I merely provided an example of public comment (i.e. not silence) from them on estimated numbers of pythons killed.

I am not convinced that this legislation will make it's way through the process (sausage factory?) as quickly as you seem to fear that it will. So, the cart isn't necessarily before the horse, IMO.

I am very curious to see what further study of the matter will yield.

What some of you may be missing is the fact that while air temperatures may drop below freezing, water temperatures remain relatively stable and change much more gradually. Also, temperatures at ground level and even just a few inches under leaf litter are also much more stable. So, while a cold snap might damage or kill biota in more exposed locations, plenty of organisms will survive.

These same mechanisms help prevent reptiles indigenous to more temperate climates from freezing every winter. I hibernate a number of Eastern box turtles outside every winter here in central VA, and have been monitoring temperatures in the hibernacula for a couple of winters now. While temperatures may drop in to the single digits, temperatures under just a few inches of leaves remain stable in the 40 F range.

I for one would like the opportunity to fully understand the issue before jumping to any conclusions.

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