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BRAEDENTON HERALD (Florida) 05 February 08 13-foot python captured off S.R. 64 (Stacey Eidson)
East Manatee: A 13-foot-long, reticulated python, nicknamed the "Wal-Mart snake," was caught Monday in a culvert near Morgan Johnson Road off State Road 64.
For the past two weeks, local wildlife rehabilitator Justin Matthews had received several calls from people living and driving in the area claiming to have seen an extremely large python.
After a volunteer from Matthews Wildlife Rescue located the snake coiled up in the culvert a few miles from Wal-Mart on S.R. 64, Matthews drove to the area late Monday afternoon, quickly grabbed the python by the head and safely captured the snake.
It is a shame such an exotic creature, which is native to Asia, was found in the Florida wilderness, Matthews said.
"It was someone's pet, so somebody either got sick of this animal or it got away from them," Matthews said. "Now, it will be incorporated in my educational presentation. We're trying to get children and people not to buy them as pets."
In order for someone to possess such a python, which is defined by the state as a "reptile of concern," he or she must purchase a $100 annual permit, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. "Reptiles of concern" include Burmese pythons, African rock pythons, amethystine pythons, reticulated pythons, green anacondas and nile monitors. Any such reptile that is 2 inches or more in diameter also must be permanently identified under state law by a microchip.
"Reticulated pythons grow to be the longest snake in the world. Up to 33 feet has been reported," Matthews said, adding this female, 13-foot-long snake appeared to be approximately 4 years old. "The snake at this age could be potentially dangerous if someone did not know what they were doing and if it got wrapped around their neck. What it basically adds up to is 30 pounds of squeezing pressure per square inch."
While reticulated pythons are not venomous, their bite can be extremely painful, he said.
"This snake here has a mouthful of teeth, about 88 of them, that are half-an-inch long," Matthews said. "It is a painful bite followed by constriction. At 13-feet long, it is totally capable of swallowing people, dogs and cats."
The female python, which appears to be in perfect condition, will be taken today to have a microchip implanted by a veterinarian, Matthews said.
If owners of such snakes or exotic animals no longer wish to keep them, Matthews encourages them to call his nonprofit organization at 812-1771.
"Exotics are being found all over the state," he said. "I have a Burmese python, a red-tailed boa, a bearded dragon, two tortoises and iguanas that all came from Bradenton after being released and found in people's yards. I want to let people know that it is illegal to release these snakes."
13-foot python captured off S.R. 64

cuz thats gonna help the whole USFWD ban crap.....
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The rescue site: www.freewebs.com/okreptilerescue

Matthews said. "It is a painful bite followed by constriction. At 13-feet long, it is totally capable of swallowing people, dogs and cats."

What, no automobiles?

B.

lol- i'm looking at 2 that are a touch over 14 foot... going... person? who is going to leave a 'person' small enough to be eaten outside unsupervised...?

Beth
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The rescue site: www.freewebs.com/okreptilerescue