18 replies to this topic

[SPECIALIZED]

Giant Snake just ate a Deer in South Florida, near Lake Okeechobee.



http://www.bbcboards...hread?id=768578

[Tim50]

SPECIALIZED, on 26 January 2012 - 08:03 PM, said:

Giant Snake just ate a Deer in South Florida, near Lake Okeechobee.



http://www.bbcboards...hread?id=768578

You will not see ME ANYWHERE near South Fla!!!!

[robertyb]

Thought it was an old picture but never saw this one before. Nice sized snake and they are heading your way.........

[Terminal-operator]

I'm glad I live in Maine. That thing must be 20' long. YIKES!!!

[Cyclonic]

What a snake! Wonder why they killed it?

[hankenhunter]

Cyclonic, on 26 January 2012 - 09:38 PM, said:

What a snake! Wonder why they killed it?

Because they are an introduced species caused by Hurricane Katrina. Several python breeding facilities with thousands of snakes each were destroyed resulting in a mass python release into the perfect enviroment for them. They are breeding rapidly and biologists are very worried about the impact they are having on young gator populations and many bird species. There is an unlimited open season on them. If I lived there I would be hunting them for their skins which are very valuable. There is a program on OLN called Python Hunters that shows guys doing residential python removal and trying to reduce wild python populations. IMO, they are fighting a losing battle unless they experience a prolonged cold spell, which pythons can't tolerate, coming from a tropical climate. Crap! There I go getting all windy again, sorry.
Hank

Edited by hankenhunter, 26 January 2012 - 10:04 PM.

[mrmojorisan]

Hurricane Katrina had nothing to do with it.  It's caused by pet owners around here, who don't know what to do with there "cool" rat eating snake pet, after it gets over 10' long so they release it outdoors.  I ran across one two years ago that had been hit by a car and was striking at my truck.  Don't know how long he was as he was coiled, but the pile of coils was a couple feat high plus a few more feet he didn't have coiled.  There was another pic just taken recently in Delray Beach on wednesday.


Not a python, but since we are on the discussion of snakes, I caught this rattler going right through my back door into my house about two years back.  My 5 year old daughter was about 6' just inside the door... still give me the chill up my back

[hankenhunter]

The fast-growing population of snakes has been invading southern Florida's ecosystem since 1992, when scientists speculate a bevy of Burmese pythons was released into the wild after Hurricane Katrina.

http://www.huffingto...-_n_220193.html


Next time look up the topic before you insinuate that I am a liar. The release of pet pythons is small compared to the mass releases BECAUSE of hurricane Katrina. Google it, if you still don't believe it.
Hank

Edited by hankenhunter, 27 January 2012 - 06:16 PM.

[mrmojorisan]

LOL... yeah ok.. nobody said you were a liar, but since I live here and have many relationships in the FWC among the many biologists I think I know what I'm talking about.  Hurrican Katrina was nothing more than a rain storm here.  FYI your post refers to Hurrican Andrew that released many zoo creatures which was back in 1992.

Edited by mrmojorisan, 31 January 2012 - 11:12 AM.

[mrmojorisan]

http://www.nps.gov/e...rmesepython.htm

http://www.washingto...TVdQ_story.html

http://abcnews.go.co...ammals-15474120

There ya go if you like to read links.

[huntingal]

Oh dear...

[hankenhunter]

Your right, it was Andrew. But were both right about the cause.



Read more: http://www.reptilekn...p#ixzz1l4MeJu4W

[SPECIALIZED]

I think most people in the area as I, would be more concerned as to how to get rid of the snakes, rather then where they came from.
here is an article that spells out the decline of wildlife due to the snakes


http://hosted2.ap.or...11cae30f2238ab3

[Hurricane]

Well, let me take count here... I can't go to Louisiana cuz of the spooks and ghosts. Texas has too many wild pigs which could attack me if I miss 'em wid da crossbow....NOW,  I can' t go to Florida cuz some 30'  reptile may view me as lunch....

Me thinks I'll jist STAY up here in the Nort woods, blow my snow and be safe!!! (????)

[hankenhunter]

I would hunt them with a crossbow. With a partner of course! I just read they are offering courses on how to hunt and kill them. Your reg. hunting licence gets you all the snakes you can kill. I wonder what would be the best broadhead for pythons? Be careful out there and hunt with a partner.  
Hank

[hankenhunter]

mrmojorisan, on 31 January 2012 - 08:53 AM, said:

http://www.nps.gov/e...rmesepython.htm

http://www.washingto...TVdQ_story.html

http://abcnews.go.co...ammals-15474120

There ya go if you like to read links.

I read the links and and I apologise for jumping on you.
Hank

Edited by hankenhunter, 31 January 2012 - 06:07 PM.

[mrmojorisan]

SPECIALIZED, on 31 January 2012 - 03:59 PM, said:

I think most people in the area as I, would be more concerned as to how to get rid of the snakes, rather then where they came from.
here is an article that spells out the decline of wildlife due to the snakes


http://hosted2.ap.or...11cae30f2238ab3

It's actually sparking quite a debate down here among outdoorsmen and bioligists.  As many know the florida panther is protected and to help the population, the state brought in some texas cougars to mate with the florida panther.  We have been "told" that the panther numbers while gaining strenght are still threatened.  Most of us that hunt see the evidence of panthers everywhere.  They are now taking livestock and pets in heavily residential populated areas.  There is a theory here that the decline of small animals is actually due to the panther/cougar cats we have now and to cover some rearends and save face, they are blaming it on the pythons.  Last turkey season a fella that hunted the same area I did had his decoy pounced in the early morning dusk by a panther.  He refused to, as he put it "come back out, sit in the bushes and make turkey noises."  hahaha

[mrmojorisan]

hankenhunter, on 31 January 2012 - 06:01 PM, said:

I read the links and and I apologise for jumping on you.
Hank

No worries man.  Hope you don't think I was trying to be rude.  Sometimes when I re read what I type I can see how it can come off offensive.  

[hankenhunter]

mrmojorisan, on 01 February 2012 - 04:40 PM, said:

No worries man.  Hope you don't think I was trying to be rude.  Sometimes when I re read what I type I can see how it can come off offensive.  

It's all good.