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'Python Patrols' Hunt Down Snakes in Fla. Keys

By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 30, 2009 8:08 PM CDT
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(Newser) – So-called "python patrols" are scouring the Florida Keys for rogue snakes that gobble up endangered species, CNN reports. Conservation manager Alison Higgins started assembling the teams after pythons, some 20 feet long, were found eating birds, bobcats, and even alligators. The snakes are often released by pet owners in Everglades National Park, where an estimated 30,000 pythons live and breed.

The trick is catching the ones who stray. "There's no immutable laws of snake catching," one expert said. "It's what works." Professionals who work outdoors, like police and park rangers, take a 3-hour class to learn snake-snatching techniques with blankets, bags, and hooks. "We're doing it in the Florida Keys because we have a lot to protect," said Higgins.

An Albino Burmese Python slithers August 12, 2001 during the third annual Snake Day at the Miami Museum of Science in Miami, FL.
An Albino Burmese Python slithers August 12, 2001 during the third annual Snake Day at the Miami Museum of Science in Miami, FL.   (Getty Images)
  (Shutterstock)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
FloridaKeysVacation
Feb 11, 2012 6:36 AM CST
The informative interview with Mr. Bob Reed from the USGS regarding the migratory possibilities and the problems these invasive snakes pose is found at http://www.florida-keys-vacation.com/Everglades-Invasive-Snakes.html - the wrong URL was given for this interview.
FloridaKeysVacation
Feb 10, 2012 2:21 PM CST
The python problem in the Everglades is devastating and not something that can easily be fixed.  The River of Grass alone makes it impossible to locate these semi-aquatic snakes.  They are consuming many of the native mammals and birds in vast number, to the point that some of these animals are rarely seen anymore.  Racoons once plagued the area, however plans to control the problem they presented were never implemented because racoons began to disappear. Now, racoons are rarely seen.  The same goes for opposum, rabbits and many species of bird.  Even panther, deer and alligator are not exempt from being preyed upon by these large and aggressive snakes. Mr. Robert Reed co-authored the latest report detailing the epidemic problem these invasive snakes present to the Everglades and discusses their migration outside of the Park.  This article can be read at http://www.florida-keys-vacation.com/Pythons.html Also an inteview conducted with Mr. Reed only a few days before the latest report was released can be read at http://www.florida-keys-vacation.com/Everglades-Invasive-Species.html  This report explains more about the possibile range and adaptability of these snakes and the challenge facing anyone attempting to control or reduce their population.
kokuaguy
Mar 31, 2009 8:08 AM CDT
I/LOVE/THE/MONA/LISA,/CHESHIRE/ CAT/GRIN/ON/THE/GRID/PHOTO.

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The Missourian

US • Green

 
Florida • endangered species • snake • Florida Keys • pythons

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