Burmese Python

The news about Giant Burmese pythons invading the Everglades came out in 2000. Today, scientists are looking into the impact of these species. The area where the Giant pythons can be found, there are no longer any foxes or rabbits for they have been consumed as prey. Other creatures such as opossums, raccoons, white-tailed deer are slowly dwindling.

In a research conducted in 2008 by the US Geological Survey (USGS) and spearheaded by invasive-species analyst Gordon Rodda, the Burmese python population could spread across the whole stretch of the Southern area of the United States. These pythons are slowly destroying the ecosystems of the lands where they proliferate. According to the USGS Director, Marcia McNutt, “pythons are wreaking havoc on one of America’s most beautiful, treasured and naturally bountiful ecosystems”. The cause of the widespread growth of these pythons in the Everglades is due to their release, whether deliberate or accidental, from being pets. These snakes were originally from Southeast Asia, and can grow as big as 16 feet long and can weigh up to 150 pounds.

Over the recent years, pythons that were seen and captured in the Everglades have increased dramatically since reports were made about them in the 1980s. There are already 1,825 pythons that have been killed or captured in the Everglades National Park since 2000. People who work in the area of the Everglades have noticed that the other types of animals that used to live and flourish there are starting to disappear. It has been a devastating decline.

Pythons are also consuming bird species. 25% of pythons found in the Everglades had bird remains. They were also known to consume pet cats and dogs, and even farm animals. However, they aren’t a danger to people and the only known reports of snakes attacking humans are those kept as pets in their homes.

The Burmese snakes are said to be very difficult to find and a lot of the southern part of Florida is wilderness. It is an ecological catastrophe if nothing is done about it.

On January 23, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service banned transportation and importation of the yellow anaconda, northern and southern African pythons, and Burmese pythons because they pose a threat to the Everglades and the ecosystem as a whole. The snakes are said to be resilient and can survive in salt water, which previously was thought of as a barrier to limit their spread to other territories. Most of the coastal plains in the southeastern US, and the whole of Florida, are considered to be a suitable habitat for the snakes. Hopefully, there will soon be a solution to this snake infestation dilemma before it gets out of control.

Photo: http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk42/masmexxiiself_tazz/ma%20sexxiiness%20pythonn/burmese-pythons-mating.jpg

To view this article in spanish, click here: http://www.petsintouch.com/pnnespanol/12739/ultimas-noticias-pitones-en-los-everglades