18 foot Python found just north of ENP

[Dallas]

The second largest Python found so far in Florida according to the report.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/06/us/florida-18-foot-python/index.html?...

[SteveS]

I'd like an attempt at a controlled burn and see the results. Hunters in the past used burns and would say that snakes would be the only casualty. This was before pythons had invaded so you might be right, the pythons might be a bit different because they do live in water but they also are found on land. Still the fire would beat the water right? Perhaps enough to boil the snakes alive.

Eventually the food runs out right? Then what?

[Swamp Hunter]

I dont know the number of snakes killed but the park service does controlled burns every year. Because its a water snake, that prefers to live underwater as opposed to the surface, I dont see how more controlled burning will solve the problem. 

Fire will not enter into areas with standing water and deep water canals are a sure refuge from fire and from deep freezes as well.

When the food runs out, we will have a national park of reptiles.

[vivian]

If you look at this map and zoom into the Hells Bay Area will see how many pythons have been recorded at that location. Along the main park road is the mother load but there are a few confirmed along the hells bay trail:

http://www.eddmaps.org/florida/distribution/viewmap.cfm?sub=20461

Jim, you really should have used your pen knife to kill it. I am disappointed you didn't ;-)

[yakmaster]

That ain't a map of python habitation.

It's a map of human habitation.

We just don't kill them where we don't go...

The little dots are road and canoe trail maps.

[Swamp Hunter]

Thanks for posting Vivian. It appears they are spreading throughout the state. Yak is correct more sightings will occur near human habitation but in reality they are everywhere in the swamp. We need a declaration of war to rescue our beloved Everglades but it looks as if they are here to stay.

 I believe I have discovered a python nest already hatched. Im waiting for the swamps to dry out so I can look for deer tracks. I couldnt find any last time out. Im afraid the whitetail deer has been wiped out in certain areas north and south of the Loop Road in the BCNP.

[Jay]

We should take these invasive predators by whatever means possible, inside or outside the park.  It should be open season 24/7/365 with no restrictions.  Bounties and rewards as appropriate.  Bonuses for busting a nest.

[Jim Peele]

The one I saw I had no chance at, using any kind of weapon, trusty penknife included!  She was in the middle of the stream and when I came around the corner and we became acquainted, she gave a powerful shimmy, dashed off to the east, and was gone.  The whole encounter lasted oh, about 5, maximum 10, seconds.

If they're all like that it strikes me that one would need something like a PT boat, machine gun mounted on the bow, with a trigger-happy companion on board.  Then again, that might scare a few folks.

[SteveS]

That sounds like my kind of party.

Jim Peele said:

The one I saw I had no chance at, using any kind of weapon, trusty penknife included!  She was in the middle of the stream and when I came around the corner and we became acquainted, she gave a powerful shimmy, dashed off to the east, and was gone.  The whole encounter lasted oh, about 5, maximum 10, seconds.

If they're all like that it strikes me that one would need something like a PT boat, machine gun mounted on the bow, with a trigger-happy companion on board.  Then again, that might scare a few folks.

[Swamp Hunter]

That is what I am afraid of. They eat wading birds as well as other snakes, large reptiles like gators, amphibians and mammals. I wouldnt be surprised if they eat fish. They seek them out on land, underground and in water. They lie in wait on game trails or actively hunt at night able to move with ease underwater or across dry land. I watched a video of a python snatching bats out of the air at the entrance to a bat cave. Its native enemy is the Cobra snake. Like I said, its a live , breeding camoflaged Doomsday Machine for the Everglades with a large appetite.

 Eventually the food runs out right? Then what?

[yakmaster]

Dale

We were doing some trail maintenance on the Halfway Creek Loop Trail.

Came across a dead pig, floating in the creek. No sign of violence, couldn't figure out what happened. 

I thought most pigs had been chased out of that area by the snakes, but apparently they're still out there, just one less alive.

[Swamp Hunter]

Interesting. The NPS will shoot pigs and just leave them in the ENP.  I dont agree with the practice but they are not considered native. Maybe there is a hole in the other side..   Another possiblity it was drowned by a gator. They will stash them and eat them later when they soften up.    I found a deer this way.    I suppose a Python is also a possibility. Sometimes they kill but cant swallow.        

yakmaster said:

Dale

We were doing some trail maintenance on the Halfway Creek Loop Trail.

Came across a dead pig, floating in the creek. No sign of violence, couldn't figure out what happened. 

I thought most pigs had been chased out of that area by the snakes, but apparently they're still out there, just one less alive.

[Swamp Hunter]

Yakmaster, was the pig in the BCNP or the ENP?  I hear that there are some pigs surviving and have been spotted near Copeland and on Burns Road. The black hide versions are supposed to be the wildest..