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Pythons wipe out rabbits—and probably much more—in Everglades
Science Mag ^ | March 18, 2015 | Erik Stokstad

Posted on 03/20/2015 8:16:22 AM PDT by C19fan

Everglades National Park, a world-renowned wetland in southern Florida, once abounded with rabbits, raccoons, muskrats, and other small mammals. But roughly 15 years ago, these species started to become scarce. About the same time, biologists noticed a boom in the population of a predator that had invaded the 64,238-hectare park: the Burmese python. Now, an experiment adds to the evidence that the pythons, which grow up to 5 meters long, are to blame for the collapse of the mammals' populations.

“There’s no question that this is an environmental disaster,” says J. D. Willson of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, who was not involved in the study.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.sciencemag.org ...


TOPICS: Outdoors; Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: everglades; invasive; python
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To: cripplecreek

Tastes like chicken. Slow chicken.


41 posted on 03/20/2015 8:48:48 AM PDT by Tudorfly
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To: dfwgator

“I thought it was the other way around.”

White-Rabbit Power!!!


42 posted on 03/20/2015 8:48:48 AM PDT by fruser1
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To: C19fan
Make Python skin handbags, headbands and other accessories the new rage in Hollywood and they'll be gone over night.

BTW - how did the invasion begin - was it a do-gooder project like introducing wolves and bears to forest lands in populated areas?

43 posted on 03/20/2015 8:51:36 AM PDT by Baynative (You can judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.)
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To: tet68

Would you like a bowl of python gumbo to start with?


44 posted on 03/20/2015 8:54:08 AM PDT by IMR 4350
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To: C19fan

They need to offer a bounty on pythons, iguanas and a dozen other invasive species they allowed people to let loose. The snakehead fish is NEVER let loose when caught (but if you know 4 star Chinese Chef, he will cook up a heck of a supper for you).


45 posted on 03/20/2015 8:54:54 AM PDT by Safetgiver ( Islam makes barbarism look genteel.)
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To: biff

“Buggers are very difficult to find when they don’t want to be.”

Kind of like rabbits that think there might be a snake in the area.


46 posted on 03/20/2015 8:56:47 AM PDT by willyd (I for one welcome our NSA overlords)
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To: Arkansas Toothpick

but as the population of edible prey dwindles, so will the python population. Right?...Maybe. Just be careful where you walk.


47 posted on 03/20/2015 8:57:27 AM PDT by Safetgiver ( Islam makes barbarism look genteel.)
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To: Tudorfly

see my tagline


48 posted on 03/20/2015 9:00:16 AM PDT by SpinnerWebb (IN-SAPORIBVS-SICVT-PVLLVM)
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To: Baynative

They were let loose by idiot zombie liberals who no longer wanted them as pets. But I repeat myself.

The 3 most southern counties here, Dade, Broward and WPB are liberal cesspools. I.E. solid 66% of all 3 counties votes D. I look at the election numbers after one.

I am not represented and a minority here. But it’s a nice (and cheap) place to live. And 30 some other states use our gun laws.


49 posted on 03/20/2015 9:04:15 AM PDT by bicyclerepair (Ft. Lauderdale FL (zombie land). TERM LIMITS ... TERM LIMITS)
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To: C19fan
Maybe Snake Plissken could take care of it.

FMCDH(BITS)

50 posted on 03/20/2015 9:06:36 AM PDT by nothingnew (Hemmer and MacCullum are the worst on FNC)
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To: C19fan

“Offer a $100 a snake and I bet lots of hunters and like will get the job done. “

I think there is a ban on selling python leather or skins. Yes a bounty, and let people sell python skin, there will be a strong incentive to load up with #4 and hit the swamp.


51 posted on 03/20/2015 9:10:30 AM PDT by DBrow
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To: biff

“Buggers are very difficult to find when they don’t want to be.”

I’m working on a python call.


52 posted on 03/20/2015 9:11:17 AM PDT by DBrow
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To: JoeProBono

A stupid friend of mine in Miami had one of those nasty creatures. Ate and pooped all the time. Always getting out of the cage. His favorite place was behind the gas stove. The pilot light kept him warm. He got out one day. I couldn’t find him. Went out later that afternoon and the Cuban next door was hacking him to pieces. :) Sad ending


53 posted on 03/20/2015 9:15:02 AM PDT by poobear (Socialism in the minds of the elites is a con-game for the serfs, nothing more.)
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To: bicyclerepair; Baynative

They were not “released by pet owners”.

Hurricane Andrew destroyed a huge breeding facility and the snakes were washed out by the flood waters.

Not that you care, but the majority of reptile keepers are politically conservative.


54 posted on 03/20/2015 9:15:40 AM PDT by Salamander (Like acid and oil on a madman's face, reason tends to fly away.)
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To: Verginius Rufus

Major LOL!!!! I had forgotten about the rabbit incident. The incident represents his presidency well.


55 posted on 03/20/2015 9:17:50 AM PDT by Dave W
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To: poobear


56 posted on 03/20/2015 9:26:04 AM PDT by JoeProBono (SOME IMAGES MAY BE DISTURBING VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED;-{)
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To: dfwgator

“Pythons wipe out rabbits
I thought it was the other way around.”

That is flat out clever.

Bravo!


57 posted on 03/20/2015 9:26:07 AM PDT by EQAndyBuzz (Islam is the military wing of the Communist party.)
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To: C19fan

take a class and capture the snake

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/03/us-usa-florida-pythons-idUSKBN0L715920150203

It should be no-license, no-limit, no season, kill on sight, bring the carcass in & collect your bounty.

They need to be eradicated, not “managed” like FWC says in the article.


58 posted on 03/20/2015 9:26:56 AM PDT by Ray76
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To: IMR 4350

You didn’t include women..

You sexist.


59 posted on 03/20/2015 9:28:01 AM PDT by EQAndyBuzz (Islam is the military wing of the Communist party.)
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To: poobear

Sad ending?
I’d say it was the perfect ending for an invasive species!!


60 posted on 03/20/2015 9:29:54 AM PDT by 9422WMR ("Ignorance can be cured by education, but stupidity is forever.")
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