We have a lot to be thankful for in the Beaches area.
This week, it’s snakes. Rather, the lack of them. Namely, 15-foot pythons and the occasional anaconda.
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson recently sent a letter to Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar in hopes of starting a python hunt in the Everglades. The huge snakes, once kept as “exotic” pets, turned out to be dangerous when they grew up and then their owners let them go. The snakes and their offspring are now lethal menaces in the South Florida national park.
For comparison’s sake, we asked Craig ONeal, a master naturalist who works at Guana Reserve south of Ponte Vedra Beach, to cite the most dangerous snakes we can expect during our forays into Guana and Hanna Park.
“North Florida does not have the constant warm temperatures or really many ideal conditions for these pythons to successively live,” ONeal replied.
“The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is probably the most poisonous snake we have due to the large amount of venom it can release,” he said, “and the same can be said about the water moccasin. Again, both very large snakes. ... The eastern diamondback can strike about three-quarters of its length, i.e. a 5-foot snake can reach over 4 feet. The moccasin is slow and sluggish but can be aggressive.”
OK, so we’re not totally out of the woods when we’re in the woods. But at least we don’t have to anticip-ate being wrapped up by a 15-footer.
If you’re interested, here’s Nelson’s letter to Salazar, followed by a few blogs in response to it:
Dear Secretary Salazar:
As we have discussed, we need to get a grip on pythons invading America’s Everglades. Thus, I would offer two things.
First, I appreciate your input on my bill that would ban the import of Burmese pythons. Many of these dangerous snakes are making their way into the ‘Glades because they are being released by their owners. My legislation would classify pythons as an injurious animal and would prohibit their import and interstate trade.
Passage of this bill would put an end to people importing these things. And, I hope we never again would have to see what we saw in Florida three weeks ago: a toddler strangled to death by a pet python.
Second, when we visited the Everglades recently we heard a variety of ideas for capturing or killing many of the estimated 100,000 or more pythons now roaming the ‘Glades. They are threatening endangered wildlife there - and, Lord forbid, a visitor in the Everglades ever encounters one.
One idea seems particularly promising. Some, including Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, appear open to an organized hunt. This is not intended in any way to open our national parks to hunting per se. Steps must be taken to protect the Florida Panther and other wildlife.
Instead, the U.S. Park Service, under your direction, would allow for a supervised hunt of pythons by park staff, authorized deputies or agents and volunteers. Given the serious threat from these snakes, I ask that you approve of taking this step.
Sincerely,
Bill Nelson
— I can see why Nelson wants the pythons (Boas and some Anacondas too) to be killed. They are not indigenous, they are giving alligators stiff competition, and they are eating many species like deer that are not used to looking for them.
Posted By: Anthony | July 14, 2009 at 03:20 p.m.
— I’m a member of PETA [People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals] and I support killing every single one of those pythons, no exceptions, no relocation. They are killing native animals. Native animals have priority and must be protected.
Posted By: ED | July 14, 2009 at 03:47 p.m.
— Round them up and let them loose in the Senate, I say.
Posted By: JH | July 14, 2009 at 04:05 p.m.
— Now if only Nelson could take on the cobras and rattlesnakes of the health insurance industry.
Posted By: calyban | July 14, 2009 at 04:09 p.m.
