Posted on 09/17/2009 12:33:40 PM PDT by JoeProBono
Researchers have warned that two non-native species of python currently slithering free in south Florida could morph into a giant man-eating swamp coil.
The capture of five African rock pythons near an Everglades already teeming with the gentler Burmese pythons has experts worried about “hybrid vigor” – a phenomenon that occurs when interbreeding uncorks volatile recessive genes, passing traits such as aggression onto the offspring, the Christian Science Monitor reported on Wednesday.
The two species have interbred in captivity. While Burmese pythons aren’t known to eat people in their native habitat, the African rock python, unfortunately, has been known to do just that. The rock python “is mean right out of the egg, and they don’t ever tame down,” said Kenneth Krysko, a biologist at the Florida Museum of Natural History.
Whether African rock pythons and Burmese pythons could produce fertile offspring remains a big question. But the looming possibility of “hybrid vigor” between nonnative species means the Everglades are turning into a herpetologist’s version of Dr. Frankenstein’s lab. This summer, Florida began a python bounty hunt after the population of illegally introduced Burmese pythons exploded and their range expanded.
I wonder if they can be trained to eat environmentalists.
Five hundred and thirty five of them can be found in one location.
It appears certain “researchers” have been watching a little too much of the SciFi Channel.
Note to self: “Stay out of the everglades.”
Oh! THAT’S what herpe-tologists study.
What this country needs are some hybrid-eating pythons.
We could use a few hundred of these on the Rio Grande......
Just convince ‘em that they taste like chicken.
My first thought was that my mother-in-law REALLY loves animals....and XMAS is just around the corner.....but I’m sure there’s probably a limit even to what a snake would eat.....
If they swallow you whole it might not be that bad - at least not as bad as if they chewed you up. You’d at least have a chance of escaping.
I think that has enough stopping power to bring down a hybrid.
Once you’ve been hugged to death, it probably doesn’t matter either way.
All of these monstrosities need to die. Aren’t there any FLA rednecks left? Get to work!
I need not worry
I am not a Hybrid Man
So I know I’m safe...
Now, if we crossed this with an old-style Ruger Vaquero chambered in .45 Colt, “hybrid vigor” would result in a brushed-chrome finish, double action, 8 shot, .44 magnum with an 11 inch barrel and coco-bola grips, right?
Priceless.
What you described is not too far from a Super Redhawk in .454 Casull (well, except for the capacity, finish, and grips).
Let’s hope that they have a special ability to recognize the targets who will not be carrying a weapon.
I love the animal kingdom winning out over the dolts. I wish more of them would go over to pet the polar bears, too.
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