Python Hunt Under Way in Fla. Everglades

(CBS/AP)  A program to eradicate pythons from the Florida Everglades is beginning.

Friday is the first day herpetology experts with a permit will be allowed to search for and euthanize the pythons, which are not native to the Everglades.

The number of pythons in South Florida has exploded over the past decade as pet owners released their snakes when they grew too large, reports CBS station WFOR in Miami. It's unclear how many pythons are prowling in the wild across South Florida, but state wildlife officials estimate there are at least tens of thousands.

Permit holders are required to provide a photo and the location of each captured python. Wildlife officials will then study that information as well as the snake's size and stomach contents. They hope to learn more about the spread of the species. The initial program runs through Oct. 31.

Officials had previously said that about 10 hunters would have a permit. They will not be able to use firearms or traps to catch the pythons.

Commission spokeswoman Pat Behnke says state officials are concerned the problem will continue to grow and they want to prevent pythons from traveling any farther north, WFOR reports.

"They reproduce 50 to 100 eggs when they lay the eggs. They have the ability to withstand different temperatures so there's a possibility they could move north. So now is the time to get started on this and try to prevent it before it becomes even a bigger problem," explained Behnke.

The first phase of the python hunting program will last about three months.

"We are asking them when they do find the pythons that they must destroy them and then we ask that they collect data for us: location, weight, stomach contents and so on, so we can start compiling a database," explained Behnke.

After the first phase, state officials will look at the results and consider expanding the hunt to include more trappers. The hunters will not get a bounty for killing pythons, but they will be able to sell the skin and meat, WFOR reports.

Experts say pythons mainly threaten wildlife, but the issue was thrust into the spotlight earlier this month when an eight-foot pet python killed a two year old in the child's house in Sumter County.

[guzman0328]

I live about 15 miles from the everglades and about 10 miles from Naples and we have already killed a 2 ft. and a 11 1/2 ft. python near residential areas.About 8 months ago we found a 10 ft.python on the side of the road that had got hit by a car.We have also had other people from around the area telling us of larger python sightings.Hope they can do something about them,because they are out of control.

[zarnac2400]

If this is a foriegn species that is so numerous why not just let people go full bore with machetes and flashlights and just declare war? No guns? No problem! Arm every pissed off 17 years old with a machete and some waders and let them solve this problem. Teach them out to mount and treat the skins, and provide a marketplace for them to be sold - with no tax if the money is put into a college fund! Eureka! No more pythons, no more dead 2 years olds in snakes stomach, outlet for teenage angst, and money for college put away! Whats complicated about this?

[dixxson]

I live in lou ky and found a hole in my back yard big enough to stick my boot toe in. It seems to end.
What is that Gophers?
Do snakes Burrow?
I live in Town, came home from work one day, and there was This "Huge" Black Bird in a tree in my neighbor's back yard.
I stayed outside the garage a long time just staring at it!
I thought anything can happen if a Bird gets sick, he just comes "Down!
I work on the RR Trains, Seen Bald Eagles often!
Saw a Golden Eagle once on the Hiwy median!
I thought no way a bird like that can Get off the ground!
This bird looked bigger to me!
He finally swept towards the ground as in attack mode!
I came around back to see and he was gone!

[ladypirate2]

A few years ago I had a cousin who lived about a mile from the edge of the glades. She was afraid to let her little girl outside to play by herself because every few days someone in their neighborhood would find either a snake or a gator in their yard. It's time they were doing something about them!

[LCCLYDE]

Walter will be impossible to replace and greatly missed.

[iluvsoho1]

I live in southeast Alabama in Headland. I already have one in my back yard. I've seen it and have seen the HUGE holes it lives in. I called a wild life person and he could not find it. So, he left. I'm concerned for my two German Shepherds that will soon be outside living in a fenced area not far from those HUGE holes. The HUGE holes are under the large fig tree. The only thing I know to do is destroy the fig tree, leaving his habitat open and take the hose and just pour water down the holes. I really need someone with a shot gun standing near by to shoot the thing when it emerges from one of those HUGE holes. The wild life person said call him when I saw it again. sure, I'm gonna tell this thing to "wait" for this guy to come all the way from Eufaula, Alabama, in order to get him, when he does emerge form the hole. Edith Porter

[lyndar2]

Okay, Ma, I'm going snake hunting. Not taking a gun or trap...they're just gonna let me reach out and pick them up.

[jankebenzone]

Good lord,wildlife officals estimate there are tens of thousands of phythons in southern Florida. How can anyone living near the wild feel safe, esp with children? Secondly, what kind of weirdo would keep a snake as a pet?

[kerry4ever]

This whole research idea is silly. Why do you have to open their stomachs to see what is in there? I can tell you already. Rats, birds, baby crocs, snakes, anything edible that crawls or moves. And why tie the hunters hands behind their backs? Would it not be better for the researchers to do some hunting themselves, at the extreme area of the pythons, and that would also give them an idea of how far they have spread. Instead they want to do their comfortable research to tell us what we already know.

[bptdude]

hmmmm

tens of thousand of snakes reproducing rapidly.

ten hunters, no guns or traps.

program only lasting ten months.

um, so why is this a big "Python Hunt" ?

and no mention of the gators that are competing, and losing?

[Yeah-Me]

http://cellar.org/iotd.php?threadid=9308