New USGS Study Says We Have Good Reason to Worry About Giant Snakes Loose in America

[jpurdy]

A new USGS report with a long name has this short take-away message: All nine giant constrictor species capable of colonizing parts of the United States pose a moderate to severe ecological risk, and several species pose a small but credible risk to humans.

The just-released open-file scientific report at the center of attention here is a 302-pager authored by Robert N. Reed and G.H. Rodda and bearing the ungainly title Giant Constrictors: Biological and Management Profiles and an Establishment Risk Assessment for Nine Large Species of Pythons, Anacondas, and the Boa Constrictor. Rapidly growing concern about giant snakes already on the loose and reproducing in parts of the southeastern U.S. -- including at least two national parks (Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve) – insures that this report will be heavily publicized, frequently cited in scientific publications, and perhaps used to justify a “call to arms” in what some alarmed people characterize as a looming war against giant reptile invaders.

more info here:
http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com...se-america4759

http://www.nps.gov/ever/index.htm

http://www.nps.gov/bicy/index.htm

[Bigdog57]

Being a lifelong Floridian and seeing the vast overreaction by the authorities, I do feel this is a solution in search of a problem. The much-ballyhooed 'python hunt' is in the news here, with a few sluugish snakes caught near suburbs down south. NEVER has there been a case of one of these snakes harming a human in the wild. The few cases of people harmed or killed have been due to owners not handling the snakes in captivity properly. This happens with ANY large animals - dogs, exotic cats, etc.
The snakes have been found up here in the northern part of the state too - here in Tallahassee, just below the Georgia line, we had a big lake reclamation project going on in the 90's and early 2000's - and a thirteen foot python was captured and killed. Supposedly there may be another 'out there'. This in the woods I used to frequent when younger.
But, I do not feel endangered. These snakes are very secretive and avoid humans whenever possible.
With the influx of the giant Brown Gambian Rat in the southern part of the state, the pythons may well serve a useful purpose.

[jpurdy]

Bigdog57,
You are correct about mishandling of any large snake or animal being the problem with most injuries.
Also you are correct that the government will make something bigger than it really is. Thanks for the info on the Gambian Rat.
I looked it up and found this link. http://www.80stoysale.com/gambian.html

[Bigdog57]

WOW! That sure answered any questions I may have had about Gambian Rats! :D

[jpurdy]

I also found this site and you can select species and select a state from the map and see what else is on the list state by state.
http://www.invasive.org/index.cfm