Florida's Python Plague Spreading North?

Study Will Determine Whether Released Snakes - Proliferating In Fla. - Can Survive Throughout Southeast

(AP)  One by one, seven slithering Burmese pythons were dumped into a snake pit surrounded by 400 feet of reinforced fence at the Savannah River Ecology Lab in South Carolina.

As they were released last week by a handful of scientists, some of the serpents hissed and lunged, baring their fangs. Others coiled up under the brush. Two slid into a pond in the center of the pit, disappearing in a snaking trail of bubbles. Some were more than 10 feet long and thicker than a forearm. And for the next year all of them will call this snake pit - an enclosed area of tangled brush and trees - home.

Ecologists will track the exotic pythons, all captured in Florida, to determine if they can survive in climates a few hundred miles to the north. Using implanted radio transmitters and data recorders, the scientists will monitor the pythons' body temperature and physical condition.

The fast-growing population of snakes has been invading southern Florida's ecosystem since 1992, when scientists speculate a bevy of Burmese pythons was released into the wild after Hurricane Andrew shattered many pet shop terrariums.

Now scientists fear this invasive species is silently slithering northward.

"They of course have an impact on native species," said herpetologist Whit Gibbons, a professor of ecology at the University of Georgia and a member of the python project. "If you have a big old python eating five times as much as another species that eats the same prey, it's a competitive thing." The pythons compete with alligators, among other top predators.

Gibbons said a human is "just another prey item" to a python - especially a small human. Pythons are constrictor snakes and have been known to eat people in their native areas of Southeast Asia, he added.

"A 20-foot python, if it grabbed one of us, would bite us and then within just - instantly - seconds, it would be wrapped all the way around you and squeezing the life out of you," Gibbons said.

While pythons don't make a habit of attacking people and most aren't large enough to eat a person, Gibbons called the possibility a "nightmare."

"What about the first kitty cat they eat? Or the first little poodle? They'd love poodles, I imagine," he said.

Mike Dorcas, a professor at Davidson College in North Carolina, has sliced open pythons in Florida to find the remains of white-tailed deer, bobcats and large birds.

Dorcas is leading the experiment at the Savannah River Ecology Lab as part of a collaboration between the U.S. Geological Service, the National Park Service and the University of Florida.

He was prompted by a study released last year showing that the native habitat of Burmese pythons in Asia is a climate match for much of the southeastern U.S.

"The question is really, well, can they survive in a place like South Carolina or North Carolina or Arkansas or Tennessee?" Dorcas said.

One day before releasing the pythons into the pit, Dorcas snapped on latex gloves and surgically implanted radio transmitters into all seven. The transmitters enable scientists to keep track of the pythons' location and allow them to hunt down any that manage to escape.

What are the chances of escape? "We never want to say never. We've made the enclosure as snake-proof as possible but we've taken some other precautions," Dorcas said, noting that all of the pythons are males, so they wouldn't be able to reproduce.

The ecologists also inserted micro data loggers into each snake to record the internal temperature of the python every hour. After a year, Dorcas will remove the chips and download the information into a computer to discover how the snakes thermoregulate in a cooler climate.

Pythons are masters of disguise - slippery and quick - and all but one of the serpents was invisible within minutes of being deposited into the pit.

So counting pythons in the wild is a daunting task. Scientists don't have an accurate estimate of how many pythons are in Florida.

"It's certainly in the thousands, or tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands," said Gibbons.

[johnbrown8888]

Why are all the women on this site so terrified of snakes?

Don't worry girls, they won't crawl up your you know what.

that applies to the men who think like women as well.

[mswolfestock]

Are these creatures edible? If humans don't find them to be tasty could we use them for pet food maybe? Or feed them to the alligators?

And what about using all of that gorgeous snakeskin, too. I'd love to have a python skin tote bag.

[John_Merritt]

The only question I have: Just what do they mean when they say 're-inforced fence?' I never knew of a 'fence' that could keep a snake out or in if they wanted to venture. Sounds like an accident waiting to happen, doesn't it?

[ianlou]

I Love Michigan,

We Don?t Have:
Burmese Pythons
Alligators or Crocodiles
Sharks
Jellyfish
Poisonous Snakes
Poisonous Lizards
Scorpions
Giant Cockroaches
Killer Bees
Our most dangerous critter is the mosquito

We Don?t Have:
Earth Quakes
Tidal Waves
Forest Fires
Floods
Mud Slides
Hurricanes
Draughts
Volcanoes
100 Degree Heat
or Many Tornadoes

We have the greatest amount of clean clear fresh water in the world with 2000 miles of beautiful beaches and millions of acres of forests.
We have comfortable summers and winters with enough cold and snow to scare off the riff raff.

The only thing we are lacking lately are good paying jobs.

[Sloughfoot]

"Our most dangerous critter is the mosquito" Wrong, don't walk the dark streets of Detroit at night. Oh, and your winters aren't all that whoopii, -30 F, Brrrrr.

[ianlou]

Yea, I'll give you your Detroit statement, I live 20 miles from the city and visit it about once every five years. As for the rest of the state, I will live no where else.

As for the 30 below weather, it's rare and still fun on skis or a snow mobile if you aren't a puss or a thin blooded southerner.

[Questionews]

"As they were released last week by a handful of scientists, some of the serpents hissed and lunged, baring their fangs. Others coiled up under the brush."

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but since when do constrictors like a pythons have "fangs". Sharp gripping teeth ya! But fangs? Poisonous snakes have fangs.

[Sloughfoot]

Gibbons' uttilization of scare tactics on numerous occaissions in this article remove him from the category of a proffessional. These type of people should not be in positions of responsibility. Most all wild animals can present certain dangers when captivated that seldom occur in the wild. Most python attacks on people occur with captive snakes. Do I addvocate releasing pythons into N. America? No, nuff said.

[erb0087]

Burmese Pythons are gigantic aggressive snakes, very dangerous to have as pets. It's a particularly bad idea to keep one in a home where small children live.

If you must own a python, consider the much smaller Ball Python. They tend to be docile and unaggressive.

There is a wealth of information about this at www.petplace.com.

[erb0087]

The small Ball Pythons are beautiful and pleasant by nature, and even people who don't like snakes are attracted to them.

"Temperament

The Ball Python is generally well-mannered, and will seldom bite, instead, if threatened, it rolls itself into a ball (hence the name Ball Python) with the head buried beneath the folds of its body. It may share a burrow peacefully with others of its kind.

Handling

Ball Pythons are generally docile and easy to handle, making it a good choice for herp hobbyists. They should be handled frequently to keep them comfortable with the process. Large snakes should be picked up with one hand placed at about 1/3 the length of the snake, and the other at 2/3's. The body of the snake should be supported by your arms or other parts of the body."

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=17+1831&aid=2422

[Slrman]

"They of course have an impact on native species," said herpetologist Whit Gibbons - - OK, Mr. Gibbons, repeat after me. "Impact is NOT a verb!" The word you want, in this instance, is "effect". Maybe you should have paid more attention in English class. But you might also be one of the large group determined to contribute to the "dumbing down of America." At least you are succeeding at that.

[erb0087]

Thank you, stuart2021.

Your explanation impacted me in a very positive way.

[erb0087]

Lets impact this thing right into the ground, shall we ?

"Impact" - a noun AND a verb, according to dictionary.com.

"impact?

-noun 1. the striking of one thing against another; forceful contact; collision: The impact of the colliding cars broke the windshield.
2. an impinging: the impact of light on the eye.
3. influence; effect: the impact of Einstein on modern physics.
4. an impacting; forcible impinging: the tremendous impact of the shot.
5. the force exerted by a new idea, concept, technology, or ideology: the impact of the industrial revolution.

-verb (used with object) 6. to drive or press closely or firmly into something[ pack in.
7. to fill up; congest; throng: A vast crowd impacted St. Peter's Square.
8. to collide with; strike forcefully: a rocket designed to impact the planet Mars.
9. to have an impact or effect on; influence; alter: The decision may impact your whole career. The auto industry will be impacted by the new labor agreements.

-verb (used without object) 10. to have impact or make contact forcefully: The ball impacted against the bat with a loud noise.
11. to have an impact or effect: Increased demand will impact on sales.

[rrozsa]

I think you meant to say "Impact is NOT a noun!"

[Dgunner]

International customs agents need to SCALE back on the import of these animals.Although the meat is rather tasty. If you have ever been in the presence of one these magnifcent animals you will see how hard it would be to defend yourself against thier attack without firearms or traps.They are all south east asia and were feared sometimes more than the enemy.

[aztecdakota]

PS: Boneless Python meat, and it sells. 30 to 60 dollars a pound. What does a 20 foot Python weigh?

[aztecdakota]

Large bore, very accurate weapons, with hollow point bullets. 12 gauge shotgun, a repeater, with very large pellets, VERY LARGE PELLETS!!! If they want to move north, they better get bullet-proof vests. The buzzards will love it.

[wyo1943]

I would really question the mentality of those that think they need one of these for a pet.

[ruby-65]

HOW do you "pet" a snake of any kind?

[ROBACA]

The only good snake is a dead one. Hunting should be allowed to eradicate them. I never understood why the laws of this country have allowed dangerous animals to be kept as pets. I have heard of pythons getting into the plumbing. You would be afraid to sit down (scary thought). Glad I live in Texas.

[John_Merritt]

Not a pretty thought, now is it. Sadly they will survive and adapt in the areas North of Florida. They will love the Carolina's, GA and if it gets too cold, they will migrate south for the winter. They are not the kind you want to have as pets, because they are very agressive. On top of that, they are sneaky. You don't they are about to attack until they are on top of you. Keep your toilet lids down, and look before you sit.

[Ordflyer]

Nothing 400.00 a head wouldn't take care of. In this economy that could provide real income to many people that could learn the skills needed to wipe out or at least greatly reduce the number of pythons in the wild - of course there would have to be a time limit or people would continue to "let a few go" to keep their source of income alive...

[Thalia-9]

by johnbrown8888 June 24, 2009 7:13 PM PDT
"While pythons don't make a habit of attacking people and most aren't large enough to eat a person, Gibbons called the possibility a "nightmare."
". . .They'd love poodles, I imagine," he said."


How can we help this species spread? Where can I get one?

you can help them spread by gutting them...you're outta your mind or uneducated if you think they can't grow large enough to eat a human.

[Thalia-9]

by rwsmith29456 June 24, 2009 8:20 PM PDT
If they do decide to go north, what can they do to stop it? Like they've stopped fire ants and killer bees.

Let'm head 'North' so they can freeze and die...I f-ing HATE snakes...

[Thalia-9]

by pete_in_az June 24, 2009 8:32 PM PDT
Not to be redundant, but let me be clear that this is nothing a few thousands shells of buckshot wouldn't fix. You can even give me some of that stimulus money to mount a posse and take care of them.

I'm with you pete...the only good snake is a dead sanke...creepy ba$tards....*** are these irresponsible "Pet owners" doing?? "Oh, but it was so 'cute'? (insert spine shiver) when it was small!"...Ish! Stupid, stupid people...

[lfagius]

With you guys 100%. I hate snakes. I absolutely f***ing hate snakes. Eradicate these ba$tards!!!!

[pete_in_az]

Not to be redundant, but let me be clear that this is nothing a few thousands shells of buckshot wouldn't fix. You can even give me some of that stimulus money to mount a posse and take care of them.

[lloydbest1]

Wonder what these things taste like. One of the most effective ways we can halt the spread of pestilential critters like pythons is start considering them as food sources. If we did that and allowed an open, no limit hunting season on them, we'd drive them to extinction soon enough.