The Burmese python, a nonvenomous constrictor native to
Southeast Asia, has long been popular in the pet trade. Between 1996 and 2006,
roughly 100,000 pythons were imported into the United States as pets. Owners
found that their new pet – a 20 inch "hatchling" – could grow into an 8-foot
predator within one year. Many were
released in South Florida. More importantly, the destruction of a large
breeding facility during Hurricane Andrew released an extensive breeding
population into the Everglades. Today, the population is expanding
dramatically. As they multiply, they expand their territory decimating the
mammal population as they go. Experts have extensively explored methods to
capture and remove pythons, but so far, there are no easy solutions. Today, the
principal means of combatting this invasive species is by hunting individual
snakes, often at night, through the dense Everglades swampland. The python's
only key predators are humans. Each year, Florida hosts the "Florida Python
Challenge," a 10-day competition designed to remove as many pythons from the
area as possible. Between contractors, novice hunters and the state-sponsored
competition, more than 17,000 pythons have been removed or euthanized in the
Everglades over the years – a small percentage relative to the total
population. Purpose: Learn about this rapidly expanding invasive species
and its impact on the Florida ecosystem Facilitator: Bruce Cropf |
|
|
|
