Are Pet Pythons Destroying the Florida Everglades Ecosystem?
- Posted on January 31, 2012 at 10:12am by
Liz Klimas
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In this 2009 photo provided by the National Park Service, a Burmese python is wrapped around an American alligator in Everglades National Park. (Photo: AP/National Park Service)
WEST PALM BEACH, Florida (The Blaze/AP) — What would you do when your 15-year-old has grown out of his snake phase and your cute and cuddly pet python is outgrowing its cage? The Everglades seem like a nice habitat for the reptile, right?
Well, many people over the years have had this same idea. They’ve released their pythons – or the pythons have escaped – out into the wild where they can grow up to 26 feet long. In the past we’ve reported about how the snakes have snuck into backyard swimming pools and in Australia have sized up toddlers as prey. But giant snakes terrifying neighborhoods isn’t half the story of the python problem.
A burgeoning population of huge pythons appears to be wiping out large numbers of raccoons, opossums, bobcats and other mammals in the Everglades, a recent study says.
South Florida Water Management District, workers are shown holding a nearly 16-foot long Burmese Python that was captured and killed in Everglades National Park, Fla. The Python had recently consumed a 76-lb. adult female deer. The reptile was one of the largest ever found in South Florida. (Photo: AP/South Florida Water Management District)
The study, published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that sightings of medium-size mammals are down dramatically — as much as 99 percent, in some cases — in areas where pythons and other large, non-native constrictor snakes are known to be lurking.
Check out this National Geographic special on “Python Wars” from Nov. 2011:
Scientists fear the pythons could disrupt the food chain and upset the Everglades’ environmental balance in ways difficult to predict.
“The effects of declining mammal populations on the overall Everglades ecosystem, which extends well beyond the national park boundaries, are likely profound,” said John Willson, a research scientist at Virginia Tech University and co-author of the study.
Tens of thousands of Burmese pythons, which are native to Southeast Asia, are believed to be living in the Everglades, where they thrive in the warm, humid climate. While many were apparently released by their owners, others may have escaped from pet shops during Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and have been reproducing ever since.
(Photo: National Park Service)
Burmese pythons can grow to be 26 feet (8 meters) long and weigh more than 200 pounds (90 kilograms), and they have been known to swallow animals as large as alligators. They and other constrictor snakes kill their prey by coiling around it and suffocating it.
The National Park Service has counted 1,825 Burmese pythons that have been caught in and around Everglades National Park since 2000. Among the largest so far was a 156-pound (70-kilogram), 16.4-foot (5-meter) one captured earlier this month.
This Assignment Earth clip talks about how hunters are being allowed to go after these invaders due to the huge populations with no natural predators:
For the study, researchers drove 39,000 miles (62,700 kilometers) along Everglades-area roads from 2003 through 2011, counting wildlife spotted along the way and comparing the results with surveys conducted on the same routes in 1996 and 1997.
The researchers found staggering declines in animal sightings: a drop of 99.3 percent among raccoons, 98.9 percent for opossums, 94.1 percent for white-tailed deer and 87.5 percent for bobcats. Along roads where python populations are believed to be smaller, declines were lower but still notable.
Rabbits and foxes, which were commonly spotted in 1996 and 1997, were not seen at all in the later counts. Researchers noted slight increases in coyotes, Florida panthers, rodents and other mammals, but discounted that finding because so few were spotted overall.
“The magnitude of these declines underscores the apparent incredible density of pythons in Everglades National Park,” said Michael Dorcas, a professor at Davidson College in North Carolina and lead author of the study.
Burmese python lays in a carrying case waiting to be released in the Everglades National Park near Homestead, Fla. in 2006 (Photo: AP/J. Pat Carter)
Although scientists cannot definitively say the pythons are killing off the mammals, the snakes are the prime suspect. The increase in pythons coincides with the mammals’ decrease, and the decline appears to grow in magnitude with the size of the snakes’ population in an area. A single disease appears unlikely to be the cause since several species were affected.
The report says the effect on the overall ecosystem is hard to predict. Declines among bobcats and foxes, which eat rabbits, could be linked to pythons’ feasting on rabbits. On the flip side, declines among raccoons, which eat eggs, may help some turtles, crocodiles and birds.
Scientists point with concern to what happened in Guam, where the invasive brown tree snake has killed off birds, bats and lizards that pollinated trees and flowers and dispersed seeds. That has led to declines in native trees, fish-eating birds and certain plants.
South Florida Water Management District, workers are shown holding a nearly 16-foot long Burmese Python that was captured and killed in Everglades National Park, Fla. The Python had recently consumed a 76-lb. adult female deer. The reptile was one of the largest ever found in South Florida. (Photo: AP/South Florida Water Management District)
In 2010, Florida banned private ownership of Burmese pythons. Earlier this month, U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced a federal ban on the import of Burmese pythons and three other snakes.
Salazar said Monday that the study shows why such restrictions were needed.
“This study paints a stark picture of the real damage that Burmese pythons are causing to native wildlife and the Florida economy,” he said.
In 2009, a toddler was killed by a massive pet python in Florida. Watch the CBS News report on how these snakes have killed at least a dozen people since 1980:
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Rowgue
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 12:39pmDogs running lose do the same thing. I don’t particularly like cats either, but let’s be realistic.
Report Post »Marsh626
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 3:23amPeople who own snakes are weird in my opinion. And people who own large snakes and poisonous snakes are demented. These crazy idiots are putting their own lives at risk, the lives of their loved ones at risk and the lives of everyone at risk by releasing these monsters into our environments. They should be illegal to own and those caught owning or releasing them should get extremely harsh punishments.
Report Post »VicksVaporub
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 6:56amGood thing dogs never hurt anyone huh?
Report Post »iglooanne
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 2:15pmMore people are injured and killed by dog bites in the US than by snake bites. And I will wear my ‘weird’ title as a badge of honor. It could be worse…I could be a liberal idiot.
Report Post »Dragon35
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 8:50pmIts not the snakes fault, they are doing what snakes do! I agree theres a problem with them in Florida but they didnt come here by themselves they were brought here. I had 2 burmese pythons 13ft long, they are not ravenous, and are more afraid of you than you are of them (trust me). I rescued these snakes from peope who kept them in the back yard in a cage and winter was comming they only had them for the WOW factor so I took the snakes in, the snakes were confiscated from me when we tried to get permits to own them legally. (I would have gotten the permits before but like I said they were outside and winter was coming and they would have died) The real problem is the people that get them and dont know how to care for or treat them. (there not puppies) I have studied and kept reptiles since I was a kid (that was long ago). They should be erradicated from the everglades but blame the people not the snakes!!
Report Post »REVerse
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 8:24pmForget catching and relocating the damn things. Just shoot them.
Report Post »MEANS2RESIST
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 12:41pmAgreed, I’ve seen these creatures first hand & we shoot them.
Report Post »kowdung
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 6:16pmWhy don’t they have open season on the snakes? That snake skin has to be worth something, right?
Report Post »IMAWAKENOW
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 7:45pmI’m with you. Why have a season or a limit on them if they are a problem,,,,, Oh Yeah, if there is a season and a limit the state can sell the liscense to the hunter.
Report Post »LOJ
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 5:55pmThese huge predators and Constrictors should be transported somewhere else, or balanced out, they are eating all the other native animals and destroying the balance of the ecosystem.
Report Post »IMAWAKENOW
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 7:49pmAnother army of state employed union workers paid for by our taxes. How about letting anyone with a gun and some spare time hunt and kill them.
Report Post »redecker73
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 5:50pmThis was in the news 2 years ago when we were there on vacation. Should be open hunting season on the snakes. Just a big PREDATOR!!
Report Post »tmplarnite
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 5:37pmFlorida Politicians are so stupid…“get real” put a bounty on them…and use the meat to feed the locals …these snakes will be gone in a heart beat!
Report Post »skitrees
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 5:03pmI’ve seen this article on several websites. All of the data provided by the study is useless. “Well, Vern, we‘ve done der seen lesser’n normal numvers of critters.” So it MUST be the snakes. Weather? Development? Why is the increased number of Black Panthers and Coyotes discounted? (Funny how these two things would feed on the same food source as the snakes). Human encroachment? New Highways? Roadkill? There are SO many reasons the numbers of small/medium sized critters might be disappearing. Did I mention disease? Wonder how the gator population is doing?
But no – snakes make great headlines and “daddy needs a new government grant” come on SNAKE-EYES!
Sheesh! I’m not anti-science…I’m anti-JUNK-science (aka, “Science FICTION”)
Report Post »JQCitizen
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 4:45pmNot to belittle their problem, but…
If they need Raccoons and Possums, we can send some down from PA. We have MORE than we need. :)
Report Post »paleoman
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 5:03pmThanks for the offer but we have enough & hogs too.
Report Post »paleoman
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 4:24pmMost snakes are protected by law. Only the poisonous ones are you allowed to kill.
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 5:41pmNow that’s a great pair of boots though…..
Report Post »robert
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 4:07pmThe ban in Florida is only for Burnese pythons. That other constrictor snakes don’t pose a threat and should also have been banned reveals that more child deaths have to occur before the decadent, corrupt legislature will act to stop them from coming in.
There is also a powerful lobby representing the exotic animal importers who stand to lose millions from these despicable, unwanted killers.
Too bad they haven‘t all been placed in a cage alone with one of these 25’ murderers. If they had been a few years ago, we wouldn’t be having a problem right now.
Florida Fish and Game estimates there are 100,000 constrictors in South Florida right now, and God only knows how many poisonous snakes let loose by their deranged owners.
There should be open hunting right away until their numbers are near zero.
But that would be the sensible solution. Has a sensible solution EVER come about until AFTER multiple deaths have occurred?
Report Post »Just in time
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 3:48pmIt seems that there is going to be python on the menu. Um lets eat
Report Post »NOCLUE
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 3:45pmWasn’t that obama in the second clip?
Report Post »Texas_Tip
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 3:42pmAre Pet Pythons Destroying the Florida Everglades Ecosystem?
Yes, just the data presented here in concert with the study from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences published Monday is certainly enough to convince even the most skeptical.
Good Article Liz.
Report Post »Dale
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 3:36pmIt is amazing that these people cannot predict what disruption (if any) snakes will cause, yet algore and his minions can tell us what the climate is going to be (a much more difficult prediction). Come on, Florida, call algore, he knows.
Report Post »rangerp
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 3:40pmPETA will want these snakes protected.
Report Post »oldoldtimer
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 3:49pmOpen the park and put a bounty on the snakes. $500 to $1000 would make it worth while. Register hunters and allow them to go after the snakes regardless of where they are.
Report Post »David286 - FL
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 3:09pmNeed to start a business selling snake skin boots, belts, and wallets :D
Report Post »iglooanne
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 2:56pm@leftfighter
Report Post »Thanks for the herpetology lesson, but my point was that most people would just as soon kill ANY snake, as they would the offending invasive species. In addition, there are several native Floridian species that have ‘reticulated’ patterns and would inevitably be killed, thus resulting in bad mojo for the everglades. AGAIN I am all in favor of trying to eliminate the offending invasive species but NOT by the layperson—they are too hell-bent on ALL snake destruction. What happens when these ‘hunters’ kill 25:1 the wrong species of snake while trying to get the smal-medium-large constrictors? Do you honestly think that they care that they would have killed a native species? The typical layperson does NOT have the requisite knowledge to tell the difference between snake species. Even though it seems obviuos to you and me…most people HATE snakes and would kill any of them.
But don’t mind me…39 years in the herpetology field…I must be crazy.
iglooanne
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 3:10pm*Trust me in that there are small and medium being let go there too. Most people can barely handle a snake eating a mouse, let alone one eating a bunny or rat. Many of these species only achieved their alligator/deer eating size after years of growing in the everglades.*
Report Post »dangarh01
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 4:10pmI know exactly what you mean. I have talked to people that kill snakes because they thought it was a rattlesnake, and when they show me the dead snake, usually it’s just a rat snake. How can you screw that up??!!! And any snake that is swimming in or laying by the water is automatically a water maccossin.
Report Post »sjohn70037
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 2:26pmLet’s capture the pythons and move them to our southern border. There they can feed on what’s crawling across the border.
Report Post »SoupSandwich
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 2:39pmThe DNC should cheer for themselves from the glades and not NC. Open tents and cots for all. Imagine all the gerbils that would go missing though. Not cool, to involve the inocent gerbils.
Report Post »iglooanne
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 1:40pmThe only problem with the hunting permit issue is that most numb nuts can’t tell the difference between a garter snake and a python. I agree they should be hunted but there is nothing preventing the killing of ALL the snakes and therein lies the problem. In the 1340s there was massive killing of snakes in Europe and the result was an explosion of the black rat population…the ones that inevitably carried fleas…can you say BUBONIC PLAGUE circa 1350s? There is an inherent fear/dislike of snakes in humanity and all it would take is an open season to produce a calamity like in the 1350s.
BTW I am not an environut, I just like snakes (when properly maintained that is!) I could fill volumes with the stories of “water moccassins” that people supposedly saw or got chased/bitten by…Most people are EXTREMELY IGNORANTwhen it comes to snake identification.
Report Post »@leftfighter
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 2:16pmThe failure in your logic is that these aren’t a native species. If there’s a rodent boom in the Everglades, it won’t be because humans are taking non-native species (who are so large they’re eating alligators and deer, so they’re not bothering with rats) out of the equation.
Nobody… trust me, NOBODY… who has ever seen a python can mistake it from a garter snake. For one thing, the two snakes of the same length are much different in girth. Not to mention markings, etc.
Report Post »@leftfighter
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 2:17pmIn fact, I might just have to go out and start hunting them myself.
Justr sayin’.
Report Post »Kaoscontrol
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 1:24pmI thought all the snakes were in Washington DC until I read this.
Report Post »felix
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 1:09pmand who keeps these for pets till the get to large – hint , they also love pit-bulls
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 1:20pmThe STUPID!
Report Post »@leftfighter
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 2:30pmI have to disagree with the premise but not the conclusion.
Pit Bulls aren’t dangerous dogs. My mother-in-law owns one that’s never been anything but a sweet dog, and she’s owned him 7 years.
On the other hand, you should never allow a Pit Bull in the hands of the likes of Michael Vick.
What’s the difference? It’s the owner, not the dog.
Report Post »paleoman
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 4:12pmMy mother- in-law is one.
Report Post »let us prey
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 1:06pmThey don’t want to give permits out and they have extreme regs for capture. There were less than 20 permits given out the frist year. The state does not seem to want to get rid of the problem. We can hunt hogs year round, but The python season is shorter than turkey season. A 26 dollar permit is what you need and you now can use shotgun or pistol or rifle. It needs to be open year round IMO.
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 1:13pmThey should have a tournament, like the CCA does for redfish. Tag a few snakes, which if caught, can be redeemed for cash and prizes. The Everglades would be swept clean of snakes in no time. I’d fight a giant snake, if it meant I won a new truck with matching bass boat.
Report Post »let us prey
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 1:25pmTxpilot
Report Post »Good idea. Originally the governor (years ago) presented a bounty per snake deal. That quickly ended when they said no bounty and people gave up. Lots of acres, really need an airboat.
One of the Quiet Ones
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 2:01pmI would guess there is a good reason for it otherwise they sound like complete idiots and should be called such all the time. It isn’t from here. It should be removed completely. If there isn’t a good reason people should lose their jobs even if they change the policy for being so stupid. Maybe their is a good reason.
Report Post »Cat
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 4:35pmTxpilot >
Damn good idea
Report Post »We already have a bass tournament that attracts people from all over and the payouts are enormous
Gator hunting is very controlled, and for good reason, if you understand how a swamp is created
But python? … I love my python boots, belts and hatbands
inexiletill2012
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 1:02pmsimple solution Florida !
$500.00 bounty on ALL pythons ! The state keeps the head for verification and you keep the skin !
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 1:00pmCome visit sunny Florida and be eaten by giant snakes…….I think their tourism department is missing out on a very unique angle in their marketing.
Report Post »paleoman
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 4:19pmIf the Gators don’t get you the Pythons will.
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