Reptile & Amphibian Forums

http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/news/chiefeditor/2010/01/python-ban-proposed.html

Check out the "Hypothetical diet" for the Burmese python in the Florida Everglades. I love how they seem to "prey not" or rats, nutria, green iguanas, black rats, house sparrows, starlings, monk parrots, feral cats, muscovy, hogs, and so on.

Nope, according to this food web, they selectively seem to prefer native animals!

In addition, here is a USGS defends climate study article -

http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/news/chiefeditor/2010/01/usgs-defends-study-thast-sugge.html

I am always amazed to see THIS quote being used over, and over and over in this fight...

"The Burmese python and these other alien snakes are destroying some of our nation's most treasured--and most fragile--ecosystems."

IF that was a statement that was NOT meant to be a loaded cannon - That SHOULD say -

"The Burmese python and these other alien snakes are helping to divert public attention away from all of the other significantly more serious problems facing the everglades --including other some seriously invasive alien species, like Feral Hogs and the Melaleuca Trees, that are now present in some of our nation's most treasured--and due in large part to habitat destruction, encroachment, and drainage & grading--most fragile--ecosystems."

The invasive "people" population is much more destructive.

brilliant

It is simply an economic issue. No one wants to accept the real reason for environmental degradation, so they find a convenient villain to pin the blame on.

An example: When Texas wanted to outlaw collection of native turtles, they conveniently used the heart rendering excuse that they wanted to stop the inhumane commercial exploitation for the Chinese food market.

With the endorsement and assistance of multiple unvetted/unqualified "nature organizations" they managed the publicity charade.

Here's the result -- trade/export in the primary species going to China for food was allowed to continue. Why? The Commissioners at TP&W recognized the economic value of that trade. Commercial exploitation of native Texas turtles to satisfy the Chinese food market continues to this day. All trade in the species hobbyists would be interested in was banned.

Environmental degradation and habitat destruction in the name of economic progress and development continues, as before.

It's just a big shell game. Nothing but smoke and mirrors. The gullible public get hoodwinked once again.

jsc

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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer