106 Burmese pythons captured in Florida...

Humble308 · 02-29-16, 08:29 AM

Just wondered what yalls opinions on this kinda stuff.

As a person who values conservation of our natural species I think these snakes have become a bit of of a problem in Florida, and who can blame a snake thriving in prime habitat.

When I see retics and burmese as babies at the show for $100-200 I can't help but wonder if this adds to the problem a bit by triggering many more impulse buys. But I don't own a giant snake, nor do I think I ever will so I'm curious to what some of yall think about the problem they've got in Florida.

Here's the article

106 Burmese pythons captured in Florida, including 15-footer

Albert Clark · 02-29-16, 08:50 AM

I think it's a crying shame that all these animals have to be killed and turned into a purses, sneakers ,and wall portraits. Why can't they just be shipped to the Zoos across America? Do they deserve a fate of death? Especially the hatchlings and juveniles. Where is our animal conservation and protection? Why can't we come up with a better solution than mass murder of reptiles that wound up in a state by no fault of their own. Reptiles that are doing what every other animal is trying to do, stay alive! A very depressing state of affairs.

trailblazer295 · 02-29-16, 09:24 AM

What is done with the animals? I read the article yesterday and they did mention humane capture but left out what happens.

I do wonder if cheap Giants is an issue. Someone buying that cute baby and either don't know how big that baby will get or think they can handle it and realize they can't.

RAD House · 02-29-16, 10:23 AM

Unfortunately I am not sure that there is much they can do with them. Most Zoos operate at the maximum capacity and there is not often room for more snakes. Because these snakes are so large so are their feeding and space needs so finding a home for them is nearly impossible. You can't really reintroduce them into their natural habitat due to concern of infectious disease. I hate to say it but the most humane thing may be a painless death, but they may have a better solution for at least some of them.
The price is driven by demand. The breeders could raise the price but then they will likely not be able to sell them. I think as with many problems the only solution is education, and I think it is the breeders responsibility to convey this. Also most people do not think that a few cases of private owners releasing their pets caused this invasion but the release of hundred of snakes from a breeding warehouse during a hurricane.

AwesomeGuy376 · 02-29-16, 10:31 AM

It's a shame to see these snakes likely killed.. Really hate that. I wish they'd drive their prices down and sell them cheap so they have a chance at life, other than just being killed. It's really irritating when people do things like that, more people should see snakes as animals and not threats..

**Minkness** · 02-29-16, 11:21 AM

I'm all for humane euthanasia. I have the same stance on dogs and cats as well.

While it is a shame, it's necessary. There just isn't enough space, habbitate, or homes for these giants.

I personally believe that all giants should require Licensing. Then the cost of those license can support the capture and disposal of the now wild popilulation of animals that is distroying an already delicate ecosystem.

Keep in mind, these animals are NOT pets, they were NOT loved, they ARE dangerous, and they are NOT endangered. There is no reason to have hundresds or thousands roaming around outside.

IW17 · 02-29-16, 12:38 PM

I agree with mink. Unfortunately these are non-native species, and must be eliminated. It's a shame, but it's necessary. Rehoming would be futile, as most of these animals are now wild, and have a very nasty disposition. I love snakes, obviously, but it is an issue that needs fixed. That being said I don't believe it's as big an issue as they want us to believe it is. There are countless other invasive species that are wreaking havoc in many places. It's just easier to convince the public to kill a bunch of snakes, than it is to start "eliminating" all the feral neighborhood cats. Also don't believe the hype that these are released pets. It's pretty well understood by now that most of these animals came from hurricane Andrew.

dannybgoode · 02-29-16, 01:04 PM

I am personally all for some type of licensing requirement for giants. In one way we're fortunate in the UK that our climate does not support a wild population of retics or Burmese but that does not stop people dumping them in canals and the like.

The fact that I could go online or join some Facebook group and have a snake with the potential of reaching 20' + delivered to my door for not a lot of money - no checks, no references is frankly scary.

The explosion in more and more extreme morphs is merely fuelling the irresponsible breeding of these snakes as well. I mean seriously - there must be a couple of thousand giants bred each year in the UK and there are a couple of thousand homes for them.

People buy them thinking they'd be a cool thing to own and then they see their once small retic, now a 12'+ snake, in full feeding mode and think **** - I can't handle this any more then just dump it on someone else.

Completely bonkers. I mean really, how many people truly have the time, money and experience to handle one of these snakes?

/rant mode off

Tiny Boidae · 02-29-16, 01:31 PM

I don't have an issue with the collection and culling of any invasive species, not just burms, so long as it's humane and respectful to the animal in question (as in not a Rattlesnake Round-up for burms *shivers*). It's not an ideal solution, granted, but this isn't an ideal situation.

I doubt a total eradication is possible at this point without some serious funding and effort, although I do think we should encourage hunting for the skin and meat trade, which would put less pressure on other reptile skins with less problematic populations (crocodiles are what I'm thinking of here). I've heard of groups going out and collecting young tegus in Florida for the pet trade, and I'm sure I'd embrace the possibility of a similar fate in store for some captive-hatched specimens. Still, Florida's in a deep pile of cow crap as far as invasive species goes, it isn't just burms, and I think the state needs to adopt a policy similar to Georgia's, where you're not allowed to keep non-native animals as pets, although I'm sure a nice revision would be outlawing any live, non-native captives period.

**Minkness** · 02-29-16, 02:16 PM

Invasive iguanas were so densely populated in some areas they were litterally falling on people out of trees and terrorizing small children and small animals, even killing some smaller dogs and cats as a territorial display.

I don't know about limiting non-nantive species, but a serious overhall in dealing with the current situations is certainly in order. As is licensing.

Bandit · 02-29-16, 02:52 PM

My main question is this: what could possibly be done to eradicate the problem?

I just really don't see any way to completely wipe out these animals that are thriving out there and have proven to be so hard to find. There's a reason only 106 pythons were captured, and it's because the snakes know how to survive. 106 is not a lot when you think about how well they are doing.

Bandit · 02-29-16, 02:59 PM

Also, let's assume that the state decides they only want to try to remove the bigger, more threatening animals (burms, iguanas, tegus, etc.). I just don't see it happening. The focus should be on preventing further invasion by exotics that are not already out there.

At what point do we just say, "they're here and there's nothing we can do about it." Because as much as I want to see it happen, I just can't imagine any number of people wiping out every single python, iguana, tegu, boa, monitor, chameleon, etc.

I know that a couple people recently found a red-tailed green rat snake out there. To my knowledge they haven't really been established in Florida. Tightening up regulations and increasing sanctions may be effective in preventing people from losing/letting go new species into the environment.

**Minkness** · 02-29-16, 03:11 PM

Perhaps then it should just outlaw breeding or mass inports of those species? A few pets will die out before finding a mate, but a mass escape like during the hurricane is a serious issue.

As for dealing with the current population, I feel that if they could budget to hire more people, log more hours, and offer more incentive for citizens to hunt as well, that while not able to 'eradicate' the population, may help keep it in check. And that could go for all invasive species.

Bandit · 02-29-16, 03:55 PM

I agree Mink. But I've been skeptical of the methods used thus far. The hunt is only a month and only in certain areas of the glades. So there are still many areas that are still safe for pythons during the hunt.

Another issue I have is that if you see a python and you don't have a permit to handle them, you can't kill them, capture them, or even touch them to keep them where they are until officials arrive. You'll get fined for handling them, which I think is ridiculous. I would understand getting fined for handling native species, but it would be much more productive to allow people to capture them and bring them in, or wait until officials come to take them. Because even if you report it, there's a solid chance that the snake won't be there by the time officials arrive.

**Aaron_S** · 02-29-16, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Albert Clark

I think it's a crying shame that all these animals have to be killed and turned into a purses, sneakers ,and wall portraits. Why can't they just be shipped to the Zoos across America? Do they deserve a fate of death? Especially the hatchlings and juveniles. Where is our animal conservation and protection? Why can't we come up with a better solution than mass murder of reptiles that wound up in a state by no fault of their own. Reptiles that are doing what every other animal is trying to do, stay alive! A very depressing state of affairs.

Zoos are awesome. However they aren't necessarily set up to take in giant wild caught pythons. Man power, space or money are all potential reasons. Not to forget that wild caught specimens may strike at the glass of displays and hurt itself or scare people.

Then you have the issue of contaminating your current snakes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by trailblazer295

What is done with the animals? I read the article yesterday and they did mention humane capture but left out what happens.

I do wonder if cheap Giants is an issue. Someone buying that cute baby and either don't know how big that baby will get or think they can handle it and realize they can't.

They are killed when they are round up in this yearly hunt.