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At a deserted Everglades hunting camp, Shawn Meiman creeps along a weathered boardwalk, armed with a revolver loaded with shotgun shells — powerful enough to kill something big, with a wide enough spray to allow for less-than-pinpoint accuracy.
Monday was the first day of Florida's hunting season for Burmese pythons, as the state attempts to enlist experienced hunters in fighting the huge, non-native snakes. Since the mid-1990s, Burmese pythons have infested the South Florida wilderness, consuming mammals, birds and other wildlife and competing with top predators such as alligators.
Everglades python hunt: Python hunting season begins in the Everglades
Seeded on Tue Mar 9, 2010 3:11 AM EST
Article Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel- Enjoy this article? Help vote it up the 'Vine.
- Public Discussion (8)
That's something I never thought I would hear...
May they will get there own name too- Southie, South Florida Python, Everglades Python....call 'em what you want just don't let them call YOU to dinner.
- 1 vote
#1 - Tue Mar 9, 2010 3:14 AM ESTI was wondering WHEN this was going to happen... if there are even HALF the amount of pythons loose in the everglades it is SCARY... if the numbers are ACCURATE though... *CRINGE*
The amount of damage these snakes can do is SCARY! If nothing else at least they'll be able to thin out the numbers. I also think they need to make the penalties a LITTLE more stiff if you are caught releasing non-natives into the 'glades!
They've had SEVERAL shows on pythons on Animal Cops Miami... They are AWESOME ANIMALS... but they are SO AGRESSIVE!!! (I had a nephew that liked snakes and he had a female Burmese)... but I get REALLY pissed at these IDIOTS that get them and then decide they are too big to make a decent cage for them and just RELEASE them! GRRRRRRR
- 1 vote
#2 - Tue Mar 9, 2010 3:25 AM ESTHey Darrreth,
I've talk to some friends in FL, they think that most of the breeder snakes came from the Hurricanes, mainly Andrew. After the homes were destroyed they got out and entered the Glades which is a perfect environment for them.
So many people there have exotic snakes (don't know what it is about FL, but they seem to love non native species for some reason).
I was watching Venom ER one day and the folks in Miami Dade got a call about a King Cobra. When they found the snake it was over 10ft long...and it was a mean SOB.
Can't imagine walking out in the backyard only to have a King Cobra hood up in front of you to about chest high....Scares me just to think of it.
- 3 votes
Yeah... the hurricanes DEFINITELY didn't help matters... I've just seen TOO MANY of the "THROW AWAY" pets to ever be surprised about how people treat the animals they get! Here in Nebraska if some BONEHEAD goes out and lets something like this ( a big snake) go... It BETTER head south or it's gonna go extinct about the middle of September!!! *GRIN*
But in the 'Glades... they're in HEAVEN.... they'll even take on an ALLIGATOR!!!
True, that is a dumb thing to do, letting these animals go.
I lived in Houston for many years and last year the had a Taipan get out of its cage TWICE in a week at a place called Moody Gardens. They recovered it both times, but it they found it in areas where customer would be. YIKES!
- 1 vote
Why do people keep snakes like this? I can understand if they were doing research and were developing supplies for snake bites....but otherwise why have a King Cobra for a pet?
I feel for the animals as well. In their environment they would have been safer.
- 1 vote
#3 - Tue Mar 9, 2010 8:02 AM ESTGood question Sushicat... why you'd wanna keep an animal that has enough venom to kill YOU and your entire FREAKING FAMILY is beyond me... but I STOPPED being surprised by the STUPIDITY of my fellow human beings a LONG TIME AGO!!!
- 1 vote
sushi,
From what I've been told by my friends is that it started as a fad with the constrictors but somebody decided that venomous snakes would be cool too. Now, more non native venomous species are imported into Florida than any other state...I don't understand the attraction. It's like keeping "lighting or electricity" as a pet, all it takes is one mistake.
I like watching snakes and I've learned a lot about them over the years, but I don't want a cobra in my home, that's nuts.
- 1 vote
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