Everglades National Park and Burms

[CraigC]

There is a article in todays paper about Burms being found with increasing frequency in Everglades National Park. They have been finding them well away from frequented areas where you might expect to find them if they were released. They have been ranging in size from a couple of feet to 12 footers. Although no nests or eggs have been found, the numbers have been sufficient to warrant a focused study.

Of course as you can imagine, they are laying the blame on the exotic pet trade. Some have been blamed on Hurricane Andrew, but for the most part it falls on the pet trade. Everglades National Park, with the exception of a few really cold days, is quite probably like the burms natural habitat and I wouldn't be surprised if they are breeding as the food supply, for now, is quite plentiful.

I hope that another nail has not been driven into the exotic hobbyists coffin and wish folks would take responibility for their choice in pets by understanding what they are getting into before purchasing. A dark, moonless night on a rarely traveled road is not the answer to an unwanted pet!
CraigC

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[nomadbean]

I don't think it is right to just drop off your pet, take it to the animal shelter if that is your only option, but to just release them.....gggrrrr. It makes us all look irressponsible, but look how many stray cats there are, and no one tries to ban those nasty animals (sorry cat lovers, but they are one step up from food).
But on the bright side, it will make Florida herping more exciting, as if it was boring before or something. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
Trina
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Really doesn't surprise me, south Florida has a thriving Green Iguana population as well, and has for several years.

In a bizarre similarity, North Carolina has a population of Texas horned lizards and has for a couple years.
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