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

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Here is a paper on the gentic diversity of burms in the ENP
Collins, T. M., Freeman, B., & Snow, S. (2008). Final report: genetic characterization of populations of the nonindigenous Burmese python in Everglades National Park. Final report for the South Florida Water Management District. Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, Florida.

link to this article:
http://reptile-nation.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/FloridaBurmGenetics.pdf

Right there in the abstract it states, "Multiple analyses including assignment methods and F- statistics revealed that the ENP Burmese pythons are genetically distinct from pythons sampled from Vietnam, but display little genetic differentiation within the Park, with the exception of a few outliers. The lack of genetic differentiation of most Burmese Pythons in ENP may indicate either a panmictic freely interbreeding population in the Park, or alternatively, limited genetic variation in the captive- bred populations that are the likely source of these snakes. Sampling of mothers and offspring provided no evidence of parthenogenetic reproduction in ENP pythons."

Current distribution map:
Burm-Florida-range-map.gif


Reports on these snakes surviving outside of South FL:

"Here we show that a predicted continental expansion is unlikely based on the ecology of the organism and the climate of the U.S."
http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0002931
Pyron, R. A., Burbrink, F. T., & Guiher, T. J. (2008). Claims of potential expansion throughout the US by invasive python species are contradicted by ecological niche models. PloS one, 3(8), e2931.

"Only one of 10 telemetered pythons survived the cold snap, whereas 59 of 99 (60%) non-telemetered pythons for which we determined fate survived." in regards to pythons in South FL where they are reported to be thriving.
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10530-010-9797-5
Mazzotti, F. J., Cherkiss, M. S., Hart, K. M., Snow, R. W., Rochford, M. R., Dorcas, M. E., & Reed, R. N. (2011). Cold-induced mortality of invasive Burmese pythons in south Florida. Biological Invasions, 13(1), 143-151.
 
Here is a paper on the gentic diversity of burms in the ENP
Collins, T. M., Freeman, B., & Snow, S. (2008). Final report: genetic characterization of populations of the nonindigenous Burmese python in Everglades National Park. Final report for the South Florida Water Management District. Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, Florida.

link to this article:
http://reptile-nation.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/FloridaBurmGenetics.pdf

Right there in the abstract it states, "Multiple analyses including assignment methods and F- statistics revealed that the ENP Burmese pythons are genetically distinct from pythons sampled from Vietnam, but display little genetic differentiation within the Park, with the exception of a few outliers. The lack of genetic differentiation of most Burmese Pythons in ENP may indicate either a panmictic freely interbreeding population in the Park, or alternatively, limited genetic variation in the captive- bred populations that are the likely source of these snakes. Sampling of mothers and offspring provided no evidence of parthenogenetic reproduction in ENP pythons."

Current distribution map:
Burm-Florida-range-map.gif


Reports on these snakes surviving outside of South FL:

"Here we show that a predicted continental expansion is unlikely based on the ecology of the organism and the climate of the U.S."
http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0002931
Pyron, R. A., Burbrink, F. T., & Guiher, T. J. (2008). Claims of potential expansion throughout the US by invasive python species are contradicted by ecological niche models. PloS one, 3(8), e2931.

"Only one of 10 telemetered pythons survived the cold snap, whereas 59 of 99 (60%) non-telemetered pythons for which we determined fate survived." in regards to pythons in South FL where they are reported to be thriving.
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10530-010-9797-5
Mazzotti, F. J., Cherkiss, M. S., Hart, K. M., Snow, R. W., Rochford, M. R., Dorcas, M. E., & Reed, R. N. (2011). Cold-induced mortality of invasive Burmese pythons in south Florida. Biological Invasions, 13(1), 143-151.
Still it is too soon to telling that the pythons won't able to expanding the range and moving up north as it is possible for them to build up the cold tolerance just like other invasive species once thought they were unable to handle the cool temperatures, has found in northern areas and become problematic.
 
Still it is too soon to telling that the pythons won't able to expanding the range and moving up north as it is possible for them to build up the cold tolerance just like other invasive species once thought they were unable to handle the cool temperatures, has found in northern areas and become problematic.

Source?
 
LOL.I am enjoying this civil back and forth between you guys.
 

Bingo!! Like usual, one side is presenting facts. The other hypotheticals. And like usual the fact laiden side (ie pro reptile) is winning. These sort of dicussions are getting sad really.
 
First of all I would like to throw it out there that I am "pro reptile" however I am not pro invasive. We all know the possible devastating impact an invasive species can pose on an ecological niche. Another apex predator on the food chain is not good.
Secondly, I asked for a source because I believed that I had saw conflicting data about the subject. Believed is the key word here. It could of been about hybridization of the rock python and Burmese in Florida.
So... in conclusion, I appreciate the articles 😄


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