Common Name: Burmese Python
Scientific Name: Python Molurus Bivittatus
I. Introduction
One of the five largest species of snakes in the world is now finding a home in the Florida Everglades. The Burmese python has a dark colored eye-catching patterned skin and is known for its calm and relaxed temperament. Because of the attractiveness of their skin pattern and docile nature, it is one of the large snakes of choice among reptile owners. Unfortunately, these snakes can reach huge lengths and weigh upwards of 200lbs making them difficult to keep. As carnivores, Burmese pythons kept as pets need a diet of small rodents or rabbits. This can get expensive and unsanitary. These non-venomous snakes are tricky to care for and often illegally released into the wild. This dumping, importation for the exotic pet trade, and escaped snakes from Hurricane Andrew is resulting in an established wild population of Burmese pythons in South Florida.
II. Facts
Native to the jungles and to the grassy marshes of Southeast Asia, the Burmese pythons are said to have been first reported in the Everglades in 2000. They are capable of reaching 23 feet or more in length and weighing up to 400 pounds (documented case in captivity) with a girth that can be as big as
These non venomous pythons have been documented to attack and constrict their owners which in turn have led handlers to release them illegally in the Everglades. Their existence and carnivore diet is concerning because these reptiles prey on native species that are endangered like the Key Largo woodrat and compete with threatened native species like the Indigo snake. Burmese pythons are part of the Federal Lacey Act and on the injurious list. This dictates that federal law does not allow transport across state lines nor foreign import of wildlife deemed injurious to the “health and welfare of humans, the interests of agriculture, horticulture or forestry, and the welfare and survival of wildlife resources of the
According to the text, Burmese Python: Not the Ideal Pet, “capable of growing to an astounding length of 23 feet and a weight of up to 200 pounds. " This Information shows that Burmese Pythons are growing too large to like in people’s houses therefore letting them go into the wild which is not good for Florida’s ecosystem. According to the same article it also says,”Unfortunately, many of these owners, upon discovering that they had more snake than they could handle, have resorted to the worst possible solution and released the snakes back into the wild. " This Evidence supports my claim because Florida’s everglades are suffering because the snakes are coming and killing all of these animals. These animals habitat isn’t supposed to see big snakes like this and none of them are ready for a change like
Invasive species have the potential to harm their new environments. The release of Burmese pythons in South Florida is especially troublesome because the subtropical climate and the vast undisturbed habitats of the Everglades enable the species to thrive. Other large non-native snakes— such as the common boa (Boa constrictor), green anaconda (Eunectes murinus), yellow anaconda (Eunectes notaeus), and reticulated python (Python reticulatus)—have been observed in the wild in South Florida, but only Burmese pythons and common boas are known to be breeding. Burmese pythons were first reported as established in Everglades National Park (ENP) by Meshaka, based in part on specimens collected on the Main Park Road in the mid-1990s. Since then, the number of Burmese pythons captured or found dead in and around ENP has increased dramatically increased. From 2002 - 2005, 201 pythons were captured and removed or found dead. In 2006 - 2007 alone, that number more than doubled to
To try an prevent this from happening the Federal Government put a ban on the importation and selling of Burmese Pythons. However, it is unlikely for this to occur. If Burmese pythons were to encounter freezing temperatures this would be life threatening. Burmese pythons have trouble eating as well as digesting their food at temperatures below sixty degrees which makes it more likely for them to stay where warmer temperatures are common. An interesting question then occurs. Will a Burmese Python ever adapt to cooler temperatures or develop the adaptation to hibernate? This would have to occur in order for the python to leave its current
Should exotic snakes or other large reptiles be allowed as pets in Florida? Right now these escaped/released feral reptiles create an estimated $120 billion in environmental damage each year according to David Steen on Slates Animal Blog.
Alden, Peter, Rich Cech, and Gil Nelson. 1998. National Audubon Society Field Guide to Florida. New York: Knopf. 2. Brown, Larry W. 1997.
Within the state of Florida there are dozens of individualized, non-profit organizations making an effort to help the local wildlife. The local land and marine wildlife includes birds, geckos, frogs, snakes, panthers, manatees, sea turtles, fishes, sharks, corals, lizards and many, many more. Florida State is located on the Southeastern tip of the United States providing a unique opportunity for conservation of salt-water animals. While there are animal conservation efforts taking place all over the world, this essay will focus on two animal species that humans are specifically trying to save in Florida State. The two main animal species of focus are manatees and sea turtles.
The Burmese python’s presence in the Everglades is doing nothing but negatively affecting the world. In addition to it wiping out mass amounts of animal life, the Burmese python is affecting the local ecosystem, and lives of humans.
In a Catch and Release event, people race to safely capture snakes for money using non-toxic chemicals but this leads people to catch the snakes illegally. In Sacking Contests, people race to stuff snakes into a bag and whoever has the fastest time gets a prize. In Document 2, it states, “Extremely rough handling is common during sacking events, including ‘whipping’ the snakes into the bag or folding them nearly double to force them into sacks.” This is very abusive towards the snakes, especially since this event happens multiple times a day with the same snakes. In rattlesnake roundups, snakes are “..beheaded, gutted, and skinned,” (Document 1) while wide-eyed families watch on. All of these things are done while the snake are still
In the Everglades there are a variety of different animals and species that seem to be able to thrive in the same habitat. The truth is that due to elevation differences, and therefore differences in the water level, the Everglades is really an area of interconnecting, but different habitats. One of the more important habitat areas is actually created by one of the Everglades most famous inhabitants – the alligator. The alligators move in and out of holes (depressions) in the limestone described above. By doing this they keep this area lower than the rest ...
Retrieved March 20th, 2014 from http://www.wkyc.com/story/news/investigations/2014/02/12/wild-animals-exotic-illegal-dangerous-snakes-lions-bears-alligators/5432701/.
In the world today, there are about 2,500 known species of snakes belonging to more than ten families. In the U.S., there are about 127 species, with thirty-eight species found within the U.S. (including five venomous
The Red Panda, also known as the Lesser Panda, are black, reddish, and white. They are 12 to 20 pounds depending on their gender. Their size is relative to a six foot man.
The Burmese pythons are native to Southeast Asia. They can grow to the length of
Photograph by Joel Sartore, National Geographic Photo Ark. "Red Panda." National Geographic. 19 May 2017. Web. 19 May 2017.
What animal is black and white and loved all over the world? If you guessed the giant panda, you're right! The giant panda is also known as the panda bear, bamboo bear, or in Chinese as Daxiongmao, the "large bear cat." Actually, its scientific name means "black and white cat-footed animal." Giant pandas are found only in the mountains of central China. They live in dense bamboo and coniferous forests at altitudes of 5,000 to 10,000 feet. The mountains are covered in heavy clouds with torrential rains or dense mist throughout the year. Giant pandas are bear-like in shape with striking black and white markings.