Coil in Fear

Giant pythons could spread in southern U.S., say feds 1

You may think you're prepared for climate change -- solar-powered fan, flood insurance, nostalgic polar-bear picture, check, check, check -- but are you prepared for 20-foot, 250-pound snakes? Giant Burmese pythons could find some one-third of the United States to be habitable climate by 2100, according to a new map published by the U.S. Geological Survey. The pythons, which were originally dumped in the Florida Everglades by disenchanted pet owners and now number in the thousands, aren't generally a threat to humans, but do count deer, bobcats, and alligators among their squeeze-'n'-gulp prey. However, alligators also eat pythons. But before you get any ideas, "we are not recommending you import alligators into California," says one USGS zoologist. "That would not be a good idea."

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  1. Wolverine Posted 6:02 am
    22 Feb 2008

    A Good Use For The GovernmentIf we had a government that was worth a crap, the Fish and Wildlife Service would have spent whatever resources necessary to eradicate this non-native plague from the Everglades AND would have totally banned their import, along with all other non-native species that are not eaten.  (While I strongly opposed shipping food or anything else long distances, a rational argument can at least be made for importing food.)  Instead, we have a government that acts as a lackey for business interests and for those who want "freedom" to destroy the planet by doing whatever they want.

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