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

[MN_Rebel]

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.

Still....the invasive pythons are apex predators and they pose a threat to the humans due to their large size and that they taking large prey items. If I am not mistaken the python invasion was very recently and it may take years for them to become a little cold tolerant, after all some pythons did survive the cold snaps that Florida gets. So let's define what is an invasive species means- an alien species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. So that means the pythons are not harmful to the environment but they are harmful to us and can caused economic damages (by eating pets).

 

[Vicious_Fish]

Still....the invasive pythons are apex predators and they pose a threat to the humans due to their large size and that they taking large prey items. If I am not mistaken the python invasion was very recently and it may take years for them to become a little cold tolerant, after all some pythons did survive the cold snaps that Florida gets. So let's define what is an invasive species means- an alien species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. So that means the pythons are not harmful to the environment but they are harmful to us and can caused economic damages (by eating pets).

Not recent, some of the wild burmese pythons are said to be from Hurricane Andrew which happened in the early 90's.

 

[supergourami]

a rock python escaped a pet store in newbrunswick Canada and killed to kids.

 

[MN_Rebel]

Not recent, some of the wild burmese pythons are said to be from Hurricane Andrew which happened in the early 90's.

And not all pythons are released at same time as the escapement and dumping are still going on to this day. Thank you for stated "some" in the sentence.

 

[StevieTheG]

+1 Jessica. Sorry snakeguy but I disagree with your statement.

With all due respect, this dog was killed in it's own yard, not "running rampant".

I completely agree about feral cats, an issue we struggle with here in the UK. But how often a snake is feeding depends ENTIRELY upon it's lifestage and the size of prey it's taking. Growing snakes will feed as often as possible in order for growth and repair. Females reaching maturity will feed insanely. The "once a month" feeding refers only to adult snakes for a maintenance diet - that is to maintain weight when energy is not used for breeding or growing - so we're talking about mainly adult males here. Size of prey wise, if no larger prey is available and they are taking smaller prey, they will need more smaller prey items than a single larger one.

It would be great if it was as simple as Burmese Pythons predating only on or mostly on feral cats and dogs which would help that individual issue; but you only need to look at the history of invasive species introduced by man to see that this very rarely, if ever works out quite so. The problem is, you're messing with a very delicate ecological balance with ecological niches, and whenever it is done it upsets this delicate balance greatly in some way. Even if Burms only predated on your feral cats, what then happens to the explosion of rodents that will quickly follow suite? What about all the invertebrate species that will then plummet due to this? This is when rodents start infesting crops and human dwellings trying to source food. And what about the species the invertebrates fed on? They will sky rocket. How will this affect other species? What about your native reptiles that feed on rodents? You are likely to see a population explosion for them. A reaction for every action, ecology really is not quite as simple as dealing with only one species.

One point I do agree on that has been mentioned, is that unfortunately feral cat numbers are for the most part, shrugged off as no big issue while Burmese Python invasion is viewed as horrific. I'm guessing that is because they are perfectly capable of killing adult humans, nevermind children whereas cats are not. Still saddens me that nothing is really being done about the feral cat issue either over your side of the pond or on my side. But then again pet cats play as much of a role in predation as do ferals.

Also understand that people who are not snake lovers haven't had to deal with this issue, I imagine having an invasive species as Burmese Pythons suddenly thrust upon them will be quite frightening for them.

 

[snakeguy101]

And not all pythons are released at same time as the escapement and dumping are still going on to this day. Thank you for stated "some" in the sentence.

Yet NONE have moved north. Also, all pythons that have been captured so far in the Everglades National Park have been traced back to the same facility that was destroyed by hurricanes. Don't believe the whole "released pets" BS.

 

[MN_Rebel]

Yet NONE have moved north. Also, all pythons that have been captured so far in the Everglades National Park have been traced back to the same facility that was destroyed by hurricanes. Don't believe the whole "released pets" BS.

Sorry but there is strong evidence that some of pythons are dumped out in the wild as there are few albino individuals has caught in the wild before and they have found some pythons still in the tanks when they were left in the ditches by the snake owners. And you tell me that they are not released pets? Like I said, it will take many years for them to develop some cold tolerance.

 

[StevieTheG]

I dont disagree with your statement but I do think they're adaptation to the cold will occur more quickly. The "more fit" have already survived through a cold spell while some of the inferior have perished. They're only breeding more generations that have the genetic advantage for survival whether it be a mutated cold tolerant gene or new survival technique. But yes it will take some time.

Sorry but there is strong evidence that some of pythons are dumped out in the wild as there are few albino individuals has caught in the wild before and they have found some pythons still in the tanks when they were left in the ditches by the snake owners. And you tell me that they are not released pets? Like I said, it will take many years for them to develop some cold tolerance.

 

[StevieTheG]

Yet NONE have moved north. Also, all pythons that have been captured so far in the Everglades National Park have been traced back to the same facility that was destroyed by hurricanes. Don't believe the whole "released pets" BS.

source?

 

[MN_Rebel]

I dont disagree with your statement but I do think they're adaptation to the cold will occur more quickly. The "more fit" have already survived through a cold spell while some of the inferior have perished. They're only breeding more generations that have the genetic advantage for survival whether it be a mutated cold tolerant gene or new survival technique. But yes it will take some time.

Correct, that is what I am try to saying this.