Rock Python Kills Full Grown Husky in Fla; notes on snake prey, human predation

[BronxZooFrank]

Hi All,
At least 45 species of non-native reptiles and amphibians have established breeding populations in Florida. The most notorious of these, the Burmese Python, Python bivittatus, has been much in the news in recent years. Recently, however, another of the state’s introduced giant constrictors grabbed the headlines. [FONT=&quot]On Sept. 10, 2013, a Northern African Rock Python, P. sebae, killed a 60 pound husky in a suburban yard near the Everglades. While much has been made of the threats posed by large constrictors, what interested me most about this incident was the fact that the snake involved was quite small by Rock Python standards. Despite being only 10 foot long and 38 pounds in weight, the snake was able to overcome and kill a 60 pound dog.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Based on my experiences with large constrictors in the Bronx Zoo and the wild, I would guess that the attack was defensive in nature. The only 60 pound snake meal I’ve witnessed (a White-tailed Deer) involved a 17 foot long, 215 pound Green Anaconda…and its huge body appeared stretched to its limit. [/FONT]Read the rest of this article here http://bit.ly/1e6mzf8
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Best Regards, Frank Indiviglio

 

[MN_Rebel]

Another reason why we should take invasive python issue in Florida seriously.

 

[piranhaman00]

Another reason nature is awesome.


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[MN_Rebel]

Another reason nature is awesome.


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????

 

[fwprawn]

What's a cold-weather dog doing in Florida?

People are the ones who introduced these pythons in the first place.

 

[piranhaman00]

????

Although sad and everything I can't help but think how insane nature is to have this occur. I know there not native but damn that's nuts


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[Adamrhh]

There's not even anything you could do to stop the snake outbreak in Florida (humanly) Florida is the perfect place to be.

Sent from mobile app.

 

[snakeguy101]

These pythons may pose a threat to people who let their pets run rampant but pose no threat to the environment. If anything- they help it out by replacing the apex predator and removing feral cats which are responsible for bird and rodent population crashes.

Keep in mind that these snakes feed mainly on common animals like racoons, opossums, armadillos, etc. and only eat an average of once a month. Also keep in mind that there are not nearly as many as the USGS and USFWS have said that there were. Independent research also shows that they will not be spreading north.

This whole thing is a media sensation but nothing more.

Frank- why not post the rest of whatever it is you have to say here and get rid of the links? It's ridiculously annoying.

 

[crayfishguy]

These pythons may pose a threat to people who let their pets run rampant but pose no threat to the environment. If anything- they help it out by replacing the apex predator and removing feral cats which are responsible for bird and rodent population crashes.

Keep in mind that these snakes feed mainly on common animals like racoons, opossums, armadillos, etc. and only eat an average of once a month. Also keep in mind that there are not nearly as many as the USGS and USFWS have said that there were. Independent research also shows that they will not be spreading north.

This whole thing is a media sensation but nothing more.

Frank- why not post the rest of whatever it is you have to say here and get rid of the links? It's ridiculously annoying.

Agreed on both points.

 

[MN_Rebel]

These pythons may pose a threat to people who let their pets run rampant but pose no threat to the environment. If anything- they help it out by replacing the apex predator and removing feral cats which are responsible for bird and rodent population crashes.

Keep in mind that these snakes feed mainly on common animals like racoons, opossums, armadillos, etc. and only eat an average of once a month. Also keep in mind that there are not nearly as many as the USGS and USFWS have said that there were. Independent research also shows that they will not be spreading north.

This whole thing is a media sensation but nothing more.

Frank- why not post the rest of whatever it is you have to say here and get rid of the links? It's ridiculously annoying.

No offense, but why you say that they pose no threat to native endemic species in Florida and that they pose a threat only to the pets and not humans?