Posted by:
Carmichael
at Fri Feb 11 05:49:09 2005 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by Carmichael ]
Right now, we just don't know the long term impact of a feral population of burmese pythons taking hold in the everglades. There are confirmed reports, and documented phots, of alligators taking burms (big ones too!). I am quite confident that a large indigo would absolutely love to devour a small burm; these are opportunistic hunters and a slithering burm will be a fine morsel for these voracious predators. Indigos are not aquatic but do on occasion forage near shallow water (once again, they are opportunistic). Burms do the same. Large burms will venture into water much like anacondas, however, they are primarily terrestrial animals. I wasn't clear on your dog question but its safe to say, dogs on the loose in the everglades is a BAD thing....a young pup is a walking buffet.
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL
>>I know it's old news. People get Burmese Pythons, they get to big, stupid people let them go in the 'glades. They have spread and are starting to mulitply and it's becoming a problem. And then theres that Burmese sniffing dog...yadayadayada. We know that. I have some ?'s for the expeienced Indigo owners, since the case of wild Indigos in the 'glades is also a bit at stake.
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>>1. Since they DO eat other snakes, is the wrong place/time Burmese youngster also in the menu for wild Indigos? Or is it only the other normal 25 Everglades' snakes?
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>>2. I've looked up alot of information on Indigo's before, but I can't remember if they are aquatic or not. Burmese Pythons are sopposed to be semi-aquatic. What about Indy's?
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>>3. Burmese have their own sent, but having a dog myself,no matter how trained, their noses can be curious. Do you think it's possible the dog will accidently sniff out a Indigo or maybe a nasty cottonmouth?
>>(I'd hate to be that pup.)
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL
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RE: The Florida/Burmese situation.... - Carmichael, Fri Feb 11 05:49:09 2005