Python swallows cat in Florida backyard

[gemisnake]

I agree actually. I mean the snakes dont deserve to die, its not their fault, but I am a naturalist and they are definately NOT good for the environment in Florida. The competition with other large predators isnt good for the native wildlife. The issue of eating pets is nothing compared to competing with native Florida wildlife to me, pet owners should act responsibly and watch their pets. The wildlife is supposed to be out there, pets are not. I do think that eventually burms may be considered native though (far in the future) because I doubt there is any way to fully eradicate them from the wild.

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[wreckwriter]

Originally Posted by TrpnBils

Never really thought of that. What large snakes are native to that area anyway?

Indigos, cottonmouth, Eastern Diamondback, yellow rat all get 5' or better. Corns look a bit like burms, there won't be a size limit on a bounty.

	Cottonmouth Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus) - Also known as a Water Moccasin.

[wreckwriter]

Originally Posted by gemisnake

I agree actually. I mean the snakes dont deserve to die, its not their fault, but I am a naturalist and they are definately NOT good for the environment in Florida. The competition with other large predators isnt good for the native wildlife. The issue of eating pets is nothing compared to competing with native Florida wildlife to me, pet owners should act responsibly and watch their pets. The wildlife is supposed to be out there, pets are not. I do think that eventually burms may be considered native though (far in the future) because I doubt there is any way to fully eradicate them from the wild.

The snakes will be killed, a bunch of them at least, I just want it done by people who know the difference.

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[wreckwriter]

Latest from the Herald. This one mentions a boa for the first time too:

2 men capture python they think killed fish
Two men in the Redland caught a suspect in the death of some exotic fish: a 10-foot python.
BY ROBERT L. STEINBACK
rsteinback@herald.com

Two Miami-Dade men, mystified by the disappearances of exotic fish in an outdoor pool, found the likely suspect in the yard Monday and caught her with their own hands: a 10-foot Burmese python.

The suspect resisted arrest. At one point during the struggle, one of the men was reaching for the reptile's neck to subdue it, but she turned quickly and bit him on the hand.

Both men sustained bites, which were superficial -- pythons don't have fangs and are non-venomous -- said Lt. Charles Seifert of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue's Anti-Venin Unit. Still, they were treated at the scene to prevent infection.

The capture was captured by a camera crew from WSVN-Channel 7, who identified the men as homeowner Tommy Compton and his friend, Tim Callahan. The home is near Southwest 192nd Street and 174th Avenue in the Redland, Seifert said.

Compton found the python lurking near his fish pond and tried to catch it, but it slipped into the water. The men jumped in, caught it and put it in a pillowcase, sustaining the bites in the process.

Seifert said humans rarely are seriously injured by pythons because, as members of the constrictor family, they kill small prey by encircling and suffocating them. Fanged pit vipers -- which include rattlesnakes and cobras -- are far more dangerous to humans because they kill by biting and injecting highly toxic poison into the wound.

Seifert and Anti-Venin Unit Capt. Al Cruz arrived, transferred the python to a cage and removed it.

The case is the latest in a spate of South Florida python sightings the last few weeks, including snakes that have eaten a pet cat, a turkey and attempted to swallow a six-foot alligator -- though that one busted a gut trying.

And on Thursday, a boa constrictor was caught near a canal behind an Opa-locka gas station at Northwest 27th Avenue and 135th Street, Seifert said. Seifert, a lifelong snake enthusiast himself, said he wasn't convinced the python was guilty of the alleged crime -- but wouldn't rule it out.

''Typically pythons aren't fish eaters,'' he said. ``But you never doubt a hungry snake. They are very resourceful.''

[kasa's_Kids]

Originally Posted by cornyballpython

yah, *ponder*

and one more Q, if (say they did) ban all pythons in the state of florida would taht affect balls? cus i want to get my baby befor that if it does.....

I would think there has to be a grandfather clause in any new legislature like this. I'm sure the current owners would be asked to come forward and register the 'offending pet'. They would probably use the now deceased "gun ban" as a model. Example : If you bought your animal during the legal time frame, it would still be legal for you to own it. Breeders would probably not be allowed to bring any new snakes into the market. If your neighbor should have one and wants to sell it, I would hope that the new law would allow you to purchase it, rather than any of the alternatives.
Just my .02 worth

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[TrpnBils]

Originally Posted by wreckwriter

Seifert said humans rarly are seriously injured by pythons because, as members of the constrictor family, they kill small prey by encircling and suffocating them. Fanged pit vipers -- which include rattlesnakes and cobras -- are far more dangerous to humans because they kill by biting and injecting highly toxic poison into the wound.

I love how their method of calming the public about the dangers of boids also involves making it seem like hots lurk around every corner and kill for the fun of it. I guess you can't have everything.

	Venomous Reptile A term commonly used to refer to a venomous reptile. Most commonly used in reference to venomous snakes.

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[wreckwriter]

I guess the silver lining to Wilma is that snakes are out of the news spotlight for now.....

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[MaxBRX]

This apparently is becoming a big problem in Florida, as the increasing population of these reptiles are overwhelming the indigenous species: Invasion of monitor lizards in Florida reaching enormous scale. Now the suspected cause naturally tends to be the pet owners who release them into the wild when they become too many or too large to take care of. It's sad that a lot of responsible enthusiasts could be affected because of the few irresponsible owners, and it seems that many of the residents are just too scared of most reptiles that are bigger than their hand...

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[Tempest]

Wow...really?

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[John_White]

This thread is 6 years old.

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[Tempest]

Yeah. Seriously zombified.

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