Florida pythons now threaten endangered species

The python population in the Florida Everglades is growing so fast they now pose a threat to endangered species, including the tiny Key deer, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports. A python was found in southwest Florida recently with deer hooves in its stomach, said Art Roybal, senior biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

So now biologists at Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge are learning how to catch Burmese pythons to keep them from spreading to the Florida Keys, where they could threaten the Key Largo wood rat.

Florida's python problem first came to national attention four years ago when a 13-foot Burmese pyton tried to swallow a 6-foot alligator in Everglades National Park - and exploded (see AP photo above).

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will soon decide whether to list the python as an "injurious species," which would result in a ban on imports and interstate trade. U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Florida, introduced a bill to impose the bans immediately.

"We've spent billions restoring the Everglades ecosystem," Nelson said in a statement issued Thursday by his office. "Yet the place is infested with abandoned pet pythons that have no natural predators and are killing protected species there."

Comments

[Kaos]

LOL, ....... teach em to eat coyotes. Then you can have one invasive species control the other before either finds the Key Largo Wood Rat.

[t boone pickens]

I bet oil would solve this problem....

[t boone pickens]

... or import a mongoose or two... or pay Seminoles...

[carl]

The solution is simple. Offer a bounty for every python killed in Fl..

[Denis Baldwin]

It amazes me how careless pet owners are. I've taken in several pythons on boas over the years that people were just going to let go in a nearby pond. I can't even believe such irresponsibility exists, and it's evident that it's going to only get worse.

I'd imagine as the economy gets worse, the cost of feeding a python over about 8-10 feet (2 bunnies a week @ about $15-20/bunny) would be cost prohibitive. Thus, watch as more big pythons become wild and start breeding with others. This is a chain reaction that can not be easily stopped, especially considering how many years a python lives and how long many of these have already been in the wild.

[ezbreezer]

What a bunch of fear mongering. The number one threat to key deer is now and always will be human habitat encroachment and automobiles.

[Alan]

Why are we still importing pythons? Cats and dogs are pets, not snakes that can eat children and endangered animals. I hope Nelson's ban passes. If people want a pet python they should relocate to Africa.

[Will S]

Why in the heck would you catch one? Just shoot the thing.

[Steve]

It's all about personal responsibility. People don't have any, especially people that get pythons as pets. Dumping their problems onto everyone else is just part of their everday life.

[Rhonda]

Will it take a child being swallowed for the government to step in?

[Maia]

LOL,the first pic looks soooo wired,I can't tell wat part from wat part of wat!It's so darn freaky & nasty!!!EEEWWWW

[Maia]

LOL,the first pic looks soooo wired,I can't tell wat part from wat part of wat!It's so darn freaky & nasty!!!EEEWWWW.U should tech em 2eat somnin nastyer than nasty....wait....wait....I think u should NOT show me that cuz I just might THOW UP!!!!!Now that somnin 2 EEEWWWW BOUT KK.

[jomama]

Most of these pythons were "let go" due to Hurricane Andrew, not pet owners. Do your research dipshit.

[Pete]

This catch nonsense is just that. Like someone above said just shoot them. The State should offer a bounty on Pythons of ALL sizes..