Let me clarify what I said- I am not a fan of constrictors being in the ecosystem. They do cause some damage but it is microscopic when compared to other invasives such as feral cats- let alone habitat destruction and hypernitrification of the water in the everglades. There is ZERO chance of the snakes spreading north of Orlando and it is doubtful that they will reach that far. For the years that they have been in south FL there has been very little spread. There have been studies where the snakes were released into natural environments in Gainesville, FL and South Carolina (where a paper by the USGS said that they would spread to and then continue as far north as D.C.) EVERY SNAKE DIED from the cold. I have read this paper and even went to a thesis defense of one of the coauthors who used this research for his thesis.
Another point I do not think I made clear enough is that these snakes are taking on the role that the FL panther once had when it was wide spread. They eat much of the same prey items- just not nearly as often.
I am a TA for Invasion Ecology of Amphibians and Reptiles (WIS4934 if you want to look it up) at the University of FL and if you ask me, there is way too much attention on the pythons. If you want an invasive herp to watch out for it is Tegus. They are cold tolerant and eating machines. Another one is the cuban tree frog. They devour native hyla spp. and are about the only tree frogs I see any more.
