Invasive Species in Florida
By KellyGwen
@KellyGwen (193)
United States
July 9, 2010 5:13pm CST
I just watched a very scary show on Animal Planet. It was about giant snakes. No, I'm not afraid of snakes (I actually used to raise a few different species of snakes and other reptiles)... But this was a show about WILD Burmese Pythons and African Pythons (I think they were Rock Pythons)in FLORIDA! They had been released in the Everglades, probably by their owners who couldn't deal with them at their adult size (Females get over 20ft long!)
What was really scary was that they are BREEDING in the wild and are learning to adapt to cooler temperatures - which means that they might be able to move as far north as Washington DC! The two species are even cross breeding! This could result in a hybrid that is stronger than either parent breed!
This post is related to a previous post of mine about dumping cats and dogs (which is horrible)... but somehow this is WORSE! They are introducing an "Apex" predator into an environment where they can survive, and thrive... wiping out the local, and often times endangered, wildlife! The larger animals have even been known to eat alligators and HUMANS. (Like Florida needs another man-eating reptile).
What are your feelings on this subject? Should private citizens be prohibited from owning exotic species in tropical areas? Does this infringe on our rights, or is it just the responsible thing to do (especially in a case like this where obviously the owners sense of responsibility was lacking)
Whaddaya think? :)
1 person likes this
5 responses
@ElicBxn (63643)
• United States
9 Jul 10
a lot of places are prohibiting owning these kinds of exotic animals, and I do think that some of these FOOLS that don't seem to understand that these things can get REALLY big should be prohibited...
I, too, once had some boas, and I would've never DREAMED of "dumping" them, just like I would never "dump" a cat or dog, and, in fact, now have a house full of cats because of IDIOTS that dump them!
1 person likes this
@KellyGwen (193)
• United States
10 Jul 10
People really are aggravating! I used to raise red tailed boas, ball pythons, bearded dragons & crested geckos. This was before I came to the realization that breeding any kind of pet is very irresponsible. While I was doing my breeding I also ended up with a bunch of reptiles that were either dumped (a water dragon and box turtle), thrown away at a distributor for being deformed (a no-eyed rainbow boa, a supplement starved and malformed bearded dragon) or had grown too large and aggressive for the owner to handle (A big male iguana).
I hate to blame teenagers, because they get a lot of blame... But a lot of teenage boys will buy a baby Burmese for $20 (when it's a foot long) because it's "cool" and then not know what to do in a year when it is 8 feet long and RAVENOUS because it's still growing! Rabbits get very expensive.. and if one of those suckers bites you you have a REAL problem! I was given a baby Burmese as a gift many years ago and traded it in for a nice calm Egyptian Urymastyx Lizard. MUCH nicer and SMALLER!
As much as people dumping cats and dogs bothers me (which is A LOT) this bothers me more. Not only are they releasing a dangerous animal... they are ruining our ecosystem! They are hurting MANY more animals than just one. (Actually, the released Burmese are probably in HEAVEN in the Everglades!)
I feel your pain about the cats! lol.. I still have 3 homeless ones here (well, we've decided to keep two and the other has a home). I am not PETA at all... but sometimes I do agree that owning pets can be cruel and shouldn't be allowed (without an extensive application exam! On that note, neither should parenthood!)
Wow, I'm on a rampage... lol
Thanks for commenting!! :)
2 people like this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
13 Jul 10
I'm shaking my head...
We're having enough problems all around the world with invasive species that weren't deliberately dumped. And then we have idiots dumping animals deliberately.
I guess it's the same comment I'd make with any animal. If you can't handle an animal financially and every other way, don't take it on. There are places that will take them if you make a little effort. There should be really stiff fines...
@keithspellum (3)
• Panama
10 Jul 10
In the early 60´s the USA banned the import of Pirhanas and Caymen. It could be done with other species. These snakes are on a long list of other "Introduced" species; various Geckos, Fire Ants, various spiders, Iguanas, Walking Catfish, Oscars ( a fish that has driven the native Bass out of the Everglades), and these are only the ones with which I am personally familiar.
Keith
@Shellyann36 (11384)
• United States
12 Jul 10
Yes I saw that show as well. If I am not mistaken they are competing with the gators in the area for food. I think there should be stricter laws for the exotic pets within the US. Most of the people who own these types of "pets" are not responsible in the least bit. I would say a stiff financial penalty and jail time would be appropriate. I just get cold chills thinking about how large those snakes can get.
