Comments on: INVASIVE SPECIES: Burmese pythons, an invasive species in south Florida, could spread to one third of United States

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 13:15:42 +0000

think about itthis way if people never brough and released the burmese in florida then the would have never been a problem, blame the owners not the snake they are just doin what they do naturally

By: Dave

Dave — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 19:34:55 +0000

Very true with the Global Warming my friend but! These snakes are likely spread all through the south due to the similar climates that the United States share with southeast Asia. Notice Florida is on the same longitudinal line as southeast which grants similar living conditions for the snakes but with easier competition since they are at the top of the food chain. My guess is yes they will spread and may never be eradicated completely but, remembers this! Were in America and there’s a gun behind every blade of grass. So if the cold doesn’t kill’em some nice hot 00 Buckshot will. Happy Hunting!

By: not an idiot

not an idiot — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 23:46:29 +0000

This map was produced by the USGS, based upon an assessment climatic conditions in which the snake has been demonstrated to thrive. The researchers who published this work are actual working scientists and herpetology experts who have an established track record of peer-reviewed publications in the area of snake ecology. I doubt anyone commenting here about the “poor science” behind these maps, or behind global climate change (!) has even a *fraction* of the professional expertise and experience that the authors of this study do. Sometimes you should try to listen and learn, instead of reflexively criticize. The authors of these maps probably know more about about snake ecology than you (think you) do. A LOT more.

By: Alex

Alex — Wed, 12 May 2010 01:59:47 +0000

This is fairly poor science. These snakes come from tropical areas in SE Asia. While we may see summers that mirror conditions seen in their native habitat, winter conditions will kill them off in most of the range shown in this map. Even this past winter, many of them died in Florida during the rather short freeze. This is merely an attempt to villainize the animals in order to gain popular support for their eradication. I have spent much time in SE Asia, and one never finds these far from water. To place their range throughout Texas, Arizona, and California, is irresponsible. I am all for controlling the spread of invasive species when they seriously threaten biodiversity, but lets not falsify statistics and use fear tactics to accomplish an end. Global warming is far from proven, but it isn’t disproven either. Global climate change is a more apt term, and is leagues from the “bullcrap” Steve claims it to be. Also, burms do not always make great pets, many never tame down well. They can be dangerous, although pets acclimated to people pose far more of a threat than wild ones. I know many Thai herpetologists, and not one of them has heard of a burm related fatality. More often then not, they are kept in tiny inadequate cages in poor conditions for their whole lives by selfish people who, frankly, have no business keeping them. Finally, no viable clutch was ever found in North Carolina, lets not invent things to try and prove a point.

By: tuper

tuper — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 02:57:50 +0000

I have a Ball, and I would NEVER throw her out in the wild if I got tired of her! I agree that it is the fault of the humans, not the snakes. People don’t do enough research and don’t take responsibility. But is it surprising when we see the number of unwanted cats, dogs, horses, KIDS in this country?

By: Kheten

Kheten — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 19:27:29 +0000

It’s the fault of humans, not snakes. These snakes don’t really realize they’re not in their natural habitat anymore. They’ve been abducted and taken care of, then abandoned. I understand there’s a big problem locally and that the ecosystem is affected (that’s my field of expertise by the way) but if you should whine about something, whine about the humans bringing them here just because they think these snakes are cool pets. Now the only solution the wildlife experts have is to exterminate the snakes like it was their fault that they’re in the US instead of Asia. How fair is that for innocent animals? Whenever people act, they should think beforehand. There are lots of non-indigenous animals in the southern States, such as lions and tigers that clearly don’t belong there, even if they’re “cute”. There should be a lot more regulation concerning non-indigenous species in the US. That’s the only way the ecosystem won’t be messed up and humans not attacked. The animals just follow their genetic make-up, they don’t have a conscience like we do. It’s thus our responsibility.

By: bryan

bryan — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 01:38:29 +0000

Guess what Steve, you’re wrong. I live in north Fl and it gets below freezing in the winter but that hasn’t killed them off here. Plus they have found viable clutches of eggs that hatched in NORTH CAROLINA, which isn’t in Fl in case you didn’t know.

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 05:31:54 +0000

LOL at this bull crap. Global woarming is a proven scam. These snakes are not even going to be able to survive anywhere but florida. Seriously whoever wrote this is extremely ignorant, uneducated, and stupid. Burms are great pets, and great snakes. Seriously Global Warming LOL Dont make me laugh.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 22:58:27 +0000

damn that sucks they are qettinq everywhere like takinq over !!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 22:57:41 +0000

this is so wronqq i hate these snakes they are killinq our animals at the Everqlades we shouldprtotest aqainst this !