Reptile & Amphibian Forums

(I know I also posted this to the herp law forum, but it seemed important enough to put here as well - I know many folks were interested in it...)

http://www.aikenstandard.com/Local/python-for-web2010-09-22T19-24-49

A study on the ability of Burmese pythons to survive in more temperate climates suggests there will be no python invasion in South Carolina any time soon.

A year-long study at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory sought to determine whether pythons - now well established in the Florida Everglades - could survive winters at this latitude and the potential for a northward expansion.

Of the 10 pythons tracked, none survived the winter, all succumbing to one of the most brutal winters on record in South Carolina.

"Our results suggest that Burmese pythons from the population currently established in Florida are capable of withstanding conditions substantially cooler that those typically experienced in southern Florida but may not be able to survive severe winters in regions as temperate as central South Carolina," the researchers reported.

The research, published this morning online in the scientific journal "Biological Invasions," was a joint study between Davidson College and the University of Georgia, and was co-authored by Michael Dorcas, J.D. Willson and Whit Gibbons.

While all 10 snakes died over the winter, the researchers noted the severity of the 2009-2010 winter, and that further study was needed to determine what potential evolution and adaptation by the Asian snake could lead to northward population establishment.

"Our study helps to address the potential for range expansion in pythons, but many questions remain that must be addressed to fully evaluate the ability of this species to inhabit regions outside of southern Florida," the study stated.

Dorcas said that, while an established population in South Carolina is not likely in the immediate future, the question of northward expansion remains unanswered.

"The study tells us that pythons currently inhabiting south Florida may not be able to survive a winter in the Coastal Plain of South Carolina, but many questions remain that must be addressed before we can conclusively say they cannot survive here," Dorcas said.

The ten snakes, ranging in size from six to 12 feet, were placed in an 80-foot by 100-foot pen, with a small pond in the middle and several large brush piles. Additionally, artificial underground dens were constructed for the snakes. The pen was surrounded by a smooth fence sunk in concrete to ensure they could not escape. All of the pythons were implanted with transmitters in order to track and monitor them. None of the snakes escaped the pen during the study.

Half of the snakes perished on Dec. 11, when temperatures dipped to around 25 degrees. Of those initial deaths, none of the snakes had sought cover or refuge in the artificial dens. Three more snakes died between Dec. 17 and Jan. 4, each having failed to seek cover during subzero temperatures. The last two snakes were found in underground cover in mid-January during an extreme cold spell.

Autopsies of the snakes revealed they died of acute hypothermia and had no signs of disease or respiratory infection.

The researchers noted that some Burmese pythons in other studies had adopted behaviors that would allow them to endure colder temperatures, and that, over time, those snakes could produce more cold-tolerant offspring. Those behaviors included seeking refuge during cold spells.

"If such variation in behavior is heritable, natural selection could result in a python population better adapted to cold weather," the study said.

The researchers concluded that the snakes may have survived a more moderate winter in South Carolina.

"Thus, it is likely that some of the snakes from Florida could survive typical winters in South Carolina, provided they are able to locate suitable refugia and do not adopt inappropriate thermoregulatory behavior," the study said.

And while an imminent invasion of the snakes was feared by some, the researchers said that, if the snakes can acclimate to the cold temperatures, it could take decades for them to be established here.

"It is important to remember that, although the time frame considered for expansion of the pythons' range in the United States is typically short-term (i.e., decades), it may take much longer for the species to spread into all regions of suitable climate and habitat," the study said.

Contact Michael Gibbons at mgibbons@aikenstandard.com.

I posted this on the comments section of there forum

What an unbelievable waste of tax payer dollars!! There is no one who knows anything about reptiles who did not know all these snakes would die. I guess the “researchers” were praying that at least one would survive in there artificial underground dens (no mention if they were artificially heated) so they could keep alive the fear mongering and milk as much research money out of it to have a long term career for as many people as could jump on the bus!! It is so obvious that there is an agenda behind all this science and news articles: “FEAR MAKES MONEY”!!!
Some of the quotes: “now well established in the Florida Everglades” no mention of the devastating effects that the Florida winter had on the population of over 80% dying (many say more) and it barely got below 30 degrees and they had all of south Florida to find refuge.
“Our results suggest that Burmese pythons from the population currently established in Florida are capable of withstanding conditions substantially cooler that those typically experienced in southern Florida” I love the term “SUGGESTS” It was not even substantially cooler in Florida this year is was only 2 or 3 degrees colder than the normal cold it just lasted for 5 days and that killed most of them so this statement is clearly inaccurate!! WHY? More research maybe?
“While all 10 snakes died over the winter, the researchers noted the severity of the 2009-2010 winter, and that further study was needed to determine what potential evolution and adaptation by the Asian snake could lead to northward population establishment”. “Further study is needed”!!!! LOL Of course it is blaming it on the colder than normal winter in South Carolina. Does it get below 30 degrees in SC for more than a week? If so then no pythons will survive there! End of debate!!
“No signs of disease or respiratory infection” NO THEY DIED BEFOR THEY WERE ABLE TO GET SICK!! You get sick after an extreme stress on your body if you die during the extreme stress… Do I really need to go on???
“The researchers concluded that the snakes may have survived a more moderate winter in South Carolina” MAY… Keep the dream alive!!!! (But they probably would have died of respiratory infection from the stress)
"If such variation in behavior is heritable, natural selection could result in a python population better adapted to cold weather," the study said. And while an imminent invasion of the snakes was feared by some” WHO?? THE GENERAL PUBLIC OR AYONE WITH ANY KNOWLEDGE ON THE SUBJECT? ” the researchers said that, if the snakes can acclimate to the cold temperatures, it could take decades for them to be established here” GOT TO THROW IN THE ADAPTION THING! DECADES?? WHAT 500 DECADES!!
"It is important to remember that, although the time frame considered for expansion of the pythons' range in the United States is typically short-term (i.e., decades), it may take much longer for the species to spread into all regions of suitable climate and habitat” Not sure I even know what they mean here but it sounds like we need more research money because they used terms like “short-term, and decades”
So here is the “REAL DEAL” Pythons are in the everglades and it is unlikely they will go much past Lake Okeechobee maybe a little farther along the coast. It is not likely they will be exterminated because there is not that much effort being done to exterminate them. There are new laws in Florida about the keeping of big pythons. No one else needs to worry in other parts of the country. They have many predators eating them in the everglade (All the fear mongers like to say “they have no natural predators” which is technically true, no predator “native” to their land are predators here. But plenty of Florida native and invasives eat them) (the cattle egret is an invasive to Florida and from all over Asia and eats them so they may even have “natural predator”)
As far as evolving to the cold, well almost all large snakes come from warm climates and the ones who move into colder climates become smaller, why? Because it is harder to get warm if they are big it is harder to find shelter from the cold if they are big and it is harder to find enough food if they are big. There are tons of rats, mice and small birds for small snakes but raccoons and possums are not as plentiful. Very few pythons of any size live in cold environments. If the big snakes could adapt to the cold they already would have in their native lands. So now they have evolve to find refuges, to the colder winters, to hibernate and get smaller. Maybe in 10,000 years there will be a descendant of Burmese python in SC but it will be only 6’ and 2” around and eating the same things that rat snakes and king snakes eat there now. And it will be being eaten by all the invasive cats, dogs and pigs that are the ones doing real damage to native wildlife.
STOP WAISTING OUR MONEY!!!!!!
You should pay me half of what all this wasted research cost now that I have given the facts and solved the questions!!!
Rob

Not really a surprise that all of the research subjects died. The author also seems to have biased the research (providing unnatural refuge) and is trying to spin the outcome findings to justify further research. Makes one wonder what other research findings are bunk as well?