Posted on 02/03/2015 4:02:09 PM PST by george76
Florida wildlife officials, opening a new front in the war on invasive snakes, are recruiting the general public for "python patrols" that teach them how to identify and even capture some of the hissing, snapping reptiles.
"We consider (Burmese pythons) established, which means the hope of removing them is pretty slim," said Jenny Novak, a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) biologist, during a recent training session with 20 volunteers in south Florida. "We're in management mode now."
...
Florida is a hub for the exotic pet trade and a hot bed of invasive species that have snuck into the tropical environment. An estimated 150,000 Burmese pythons now occupy the states southern half, according to officials.
Since the snakes were first spotted in the 1970s, they have become top predators in the ecologically fragile Everglades, gobbling up whole alligators and other native species, and growing more than 18 feet (5-1/2 meters) long.
The latest concern is a small population of aggressive North African "rock" pythons several miles west of downtown Miami. Since they were first discovered in 2001, 69 have been spotted and 29 have been captured
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
I don’t know, a foot and a half is a pretty small snake.
;-)
Snake Meat, it’s what’s for dinner!
Dang! A feller’d need a big grill to roast up that critter...
Python meat is supposed to taste somewhat like chicken, but the flavor is also compared to frog legs...Low in fat and calories, but high in protein...
Care is advised in handling and cooking because of Salmonella in the snake’s gut, and they can also carry parasites...
I’m betting on the local Bubba “patrols” to thin these animals out...Actually sounds like fun...
Bon appetit!
OR, I could read the thread before posting...
I would die on the spot if I ever saw one.
You have no idea how, er, difficult it was to abstain from making an inappropriate rejoinder. .
You might even get lucky and get the snake version of turducken!
” You have no idea how, er, difficult it was to abstain from making an inappropriate rejoinder. .”
—
You are to be commended.
One advantage to making a stupid mistake on FR is it creates lots of responses.
I feel downright popular this evening. :-)
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Lol! Yeah, I saw that too.
Yup... it's great to know that if you're feeling down you can get on FR, goof up a little, then sit back and feel the love. ;-)
Meanwhile, a Burmese python mens belt retails for $220, and wallet runs upwards of $75.
There was a bounty program. It was discontinued
Hmmm. Could open up a whole new cottage industry.
I forsee Pytrhon Hunt Weekends in the Everglades, with guides who skin the critters for clients and a big, last night, python BBQ. Could be a pretty cool weekend.
PAGING GLADESGURU!
Mmmmm. Could be. lol
Ya’ think? :)
Oh man,am I getting it this evening.:-)
And Stonhenge sucks IMHO. Most boring tourist attraction ever.
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I guess these were released when Andrew blew down a snake house and scattered the things all over.
I also have read where they now think that some kind of Cobra might be on the loose. Then, a couple years ago, a lineman got nailed by a green mamba.
And I have relatives tell me that in no way they would live in Arizona-to many snakes and such down here, but, they bought places in Florida. Scratching my head over that.
I used to camp all over the glades and Big Cypress when I was a kid, never gave it a second thought.
Today? Hell no, never.
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