ROCK PYTHON invades Florida

[Drewbot]

First it was the Burmese Python, now it is the African Rock Python.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news ... nakes.html

As usual, the evil snake owner, unable to handle the snake is responsible, according to the article.

[LeglessDragon]

...and here, where they belong, they happen to be on the endangered list!

[Durban Keeper]

It's entirely their own fault. Incompetent keepers are to blame & it makes me so mad to see how they try & put the snakes in the bad light...

[dazz]

Eish!

[JPWittstock]

They are ranched and WC sebae, not natelensis, and they are exported in their thousands from many African countries unfortunately.

[10gbooj]

America and it's snake problems... Will it ever stop?
Lets just hope that some law gets implemented to stop incompetent keepers from owning "absolutely verocious animals"

[fredsmith]

Is a wild rock python really more dangerous than a wild burm?

[BOOGY]

Their from Africa boet, over here they hatch out of the egg striking! Must be a badd ass place.

[mgiddings]

It was really only a matter of time. Im just waiting for the retic invasion now.

[martinshaun]

I have a couple of friends who have been involved with reptiles here in the USA for about 30 years, they both lived in Florida most of their lives and have seen first hand what happens when shipments are unpacked.

african and asian snakes, lizards and gecko's, pythons, cobras and vipers, adders have been tossed into the wild because they were unfit for sale in the reptile trade here in the usa, all because they did not look good. some lived I am sure. you just don't know whats living in that swamp down in Florida. you may find stuff that will blow your mind.

Martin.

[froot]

african and asian snakes, lizards and gecko's, pythons, cobras and vipers, adders have been tossed into the wild because they were unfit for sale in the reptile trade here in the usa, all because they did not look good.

That's insane!

[Bushviper]

Martin I am glad someone else has confirmed this. I have seen that some dealers especially African dealers will only ship certain animals if you if you take other less sought after animals with them. These are then calculated into the cost of the sought after animals and the rest are tossed out of the back door if they cannot be used as food. Some species were released with the intention of re-capturing them if the demand exists. This is more for the anoles etc that stay in one area after release and are easy to capture. These reasons plus Hurrican Andrew are the major causes of exotic reptiles found in Florida.

Now there is speculation that the Burmese and Rock pythons might hybridise and produce the super killer 200 ft python that swallows alligators straight from the egg. The hype is so bad it is no longer funny.

[Drewbot]

Here is an article contradicting the USGS claim that Burmese pythons would expand throughout the southern United States.

http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Ad ... ne.0002931

Here is the USGS (U.S. Geological Survey) press release.
http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=1875

[Drewbot]

Recently, on the History Channel, MONSTERQUEST had a show about giant, invasive pythons invading the entire southern half of the United States. They even went so far as to say that there could be breeding populations of Pythons in the sewer systems of northern cities, and sent an explorer into Central Park, and the Subways/Sewers of New York City to look for them. They did find a 10 foot Burm. and a baby burm.

There is no YOUTUBE link up yet, but when there is I will link it.

[Drewbot]

Note: They found the 10' Burm and Baby burm in the everglades, NOT in the subway.