Bermese Python Competition Jan 2013 - Florida

Anyone else see this news about the contest they've set up to help control the artificially introduced Bermese Python population in Florida? Apparently it starts this coming January, and was established because these snakes are absolutely decimating native wildlife populations. I am not the hunting type, and I actually have 5 pet pythons (4 Balls and an Angolan), but I am seriously considering heading down there to help reduce this very serious threat to one of my favorite ecosystems.

Interested to know if anyone else will be taking part, maybe we can meet up and hunt as a family, Gaiscioch style!

LFG PYTHON CONTEST Any Path! (lol)

How sad :( I had a pet Burmese called Hex when I lived in England, also a royal python, and a boa constrictor. Hex is the only creature to ever give me a black eye. She was about to eat a rabbit and was getting substrate in her mouth so I foolishly tried to move it. She flicked her tail accross my face and smacked me so hard I almost passed out. I forgave her though! Had to rehome her when we moved back home as snakes are not allowed as pets here. Such beautiful creatures, it seems such a shame to hunt them.

Oh man Hex, I know how hard it is to remove substrate, I just bring them to the Vet (who is so cool, loves my snakes and never charges me) because I'm afraid to hurt them, lol. I never thought I might earn a black eye in the process! It is a shame to hunt them, I totally agree. However, I also feel we have a responsibility to maintain the natural ecosystem in Florida, rather than let an alien population destroy it out of misplaced compassion. I know its not the snakes' fault they're there, but it is 'our' fault (people in general). This needs to be corrected years ago, and unfortunately species are already dramatically reduced, with populations down 99%. I've never hunted, killed or even intentionally harmed a living thing, and would never consider it for sport or occupation (no judgment for those who do, to each their own). I'm a reptile guy, and an animal guy in general and I love my pets. But I am in support of the culling of the foreign species ravaging the natural habitat of native wildlife, many of which cannot be found elsewhere in the world. The Everglades is a very fragile ecosystem which is already damaged beyond being repaired to it's former condition; its time for damage control now.

For a little background: Hurricanes knock things down. Trees, houses, offices...and pet stores. Increased development near Everglades National Park, coupled with some really bad hurricanes in the last 15-20 years, have led to a number of destroyed pet stores along the edges of the swamp. The critters, of course, escape the wreckage, and head off into the wilderness. The cute, furry ones don't seem to pose a problem - cats, dogs, rabbits, rats, etc. seem to get eaten by the native wildlife, or die in an unfriendly climate. Birds and reptiles, however, are another story entirely. Many species absolutely thrive in the swamp. We constantly hear tales of enormous boas, balls, and anaconda bothering people to the south of us - some of them several times their natural size. With no natural predators, their populations are booming. The hunt is meant to let humans serve as predators, and keep the population in check. Not all the alien species are awful, though. There's a flock of wild green parrots that lives near my house. As far as I can tell, they don't hurt anything (I think they just eat fruit and nuts), and a couple of them know how to talk. They're pretty fun.

You know Arowefell, I never even thought about pet stores being destroyed. I always pictured people letting pets go when they tire of them, or if they become to large to keep easily. I'm glad to know this is not purely a result of negligence.