While the python trapper certainly went about it the wrong way, his message of pythons and other dangerous animals being released into the Florida wild is very valid. Every year, people in Florida and other parts of the United States release these animals as they become too difficult to keep as pets. The truth is, they should never have been pets in the first place.

Pythons, for example have been released in the Everglades. These pythons have already reproduced and now number in the estimated tens of thousands. When you consider that larger pythons such as the rock python and reticulated python are capable of killing a full grown man, the danger becomes apparent. That is not the only danger, however. They also eat all of the food in the area and cause the local wildlife to suffer. In extreme cases, they can be wiped out all together.

While his methods were certainly messed up, he certainly had the right message. Do not release these animals into our wild, or else we will have major problems down the road.

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Image Credited to Flickr User mango atchar

The rock python has been known to exceed twenty feet in length, and they are a heavy bodied snake. While they are not venomous, they do have a number of very dangerous teeth that can deliver quite a nasty bite. The real power for this snake, however, is in it’s coils. The Asian rock python is a constrictor in that they squeeze the life out of their prey before swallowing them whole.

They like to live in valleys, heavily forested areas, and even out in wide open clearings where food is available. They always live close to a water source.

The rock python primarily eats rodents, birds, other snakes and reptiles, and small mammals. Once they get larger, they might take much larger prey. Some rock pythons have been known to attempt eating caymen, and even the occasional young jaguar.

While the rock python is not generally considered to be a big danger to humans, they are certainly capable of harming us. Given the opportunity, they can be deadly. Give this snake a wide berth if you come into contact with one.

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The burmese python is one of the most legendary snakes in the world.  In past generations, parts of the world have even worshipped this huge constrictor.  The burmese python is a serious contender for any size competition, and it is famous for being one of the most popular large snake pets in the world.  The burmese python is a beautiful example of natural beauty, and are breathtaking to see in real life.  Here is all you would want to know about the incredible burmese python:

Are Burmese Pythons Dangerous?

Burmese pythons are one of the most widely kept large snakes in the world, and this is partly due to their docile nature.  They are not nearly as aggressive as some of the other large snakes such as anacondas, and reticultated pythons.  Still, when you are dealing with a burmese python, you are dealing with a huge snake.  Burmese pythons are constrictors, and they have been known to kill people.

The burmese python is not a venomous snake.  They instead rely on their massive size, and the ability to squeeze the life out of their prey.  They latch on with rows of backwards teeth, and wrap up.  They then squeeze gradually harder until the prey is suffocated.  This danger is real in particular for kids, elderly, and smaller humans.  Even large humans have fallen prey to the burmese python.

Where Do You Find The Burmese Python?

The burmese python is found naturally in the grasslands and jungles of  Asia.  They prefer to stay in the trees as youngsters, but as they age and grow larger, tree climbing becomes more difficult.  The Burmese python will also take to the water and swim despite their massive size.

How Big Do Burmese Pythons Get?

Legend says that burmese pythons can grow to up to 50 feet.  The truth is that burmese pythons are more likely to be between 16 and 25 feet.  The thing about the burmese python is that they get extremely fat.  The heaviest known snake in the world is a burmese, and she is over 400 pounds.  Most are only about 200 pounds.

How Do You Identify A Burmese Python?

The burmese python is not often confused with many other species because of size.  They are generally a brownish color with a beautiful pattern of yellow in between the plates.  The burmese python also has a very large head that is quite powerful as well.

What Does The Burmese Python Eat?

Burmese pythons are carnivores, and eat most anything that is warm blooded.  They eat small mammals, and sometimes will even bring down larger prey as well.  They have stretching ligaments in their jaws that allow them to swallow huge prey whole….headfirst.

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I learned to respect this snake while watching an episode of Crocodile Hunter.  Steve Irwin, who swam and wrestled salt water crocs, was literally terrified of this huge snake.  I figure if the Crocodile Hunter fears the reticulated python, then maybe I should too.  So I started researching on the reticulated python (that is what I do when I fear something).

Usually, when I research a snake I find out that the truth is not really all that scary.  Not so with the reticulated python.  This Asian snake has killed and ….. yes even consumed people.  As a rule, pythons and other large snakes such as anacondas do not view us as a food source.  In spite of this, the reticulated python has been known to eat humans.  A reticulated python would have quite a problem consuming a full sized human being, but a child or smaller human would be no problem at all.  Any sized human being can be killed by the reticulated python however.  They are that big and strong.

So just how big do they get?  They have been reported to be as long as 30+ feet.  There are several reticulated pythons in captivity that are in excess of 25 feet and these bad boys can weigh in excess of 300 pounds.  Now that is a lot of snake.

The reticulated python is generally considered to be the longest snake in the world, while the anaconda is considered the largest because of the massive girth.  (they also are rumored to grow to huge lengths)  It really depends on the source as to which snake is actually the largest.

One thing is a given with reticulated pythons.  They are far too large and far too dangerous to disrespect one.  Give them the same large berth that you would to any other dangerous creature.  Your life would likely depend on it.

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Indian Cobra Courtesy of Wikipedia user Kamalnv

The big four venomous snakes in Asia are the four snakes that are most common to kill. These snakes are all quick to bite and can be deadly in a very short period of time.  What truly makes the big four dangerous, however, is the fact that they are all found in and around the human population.  This leads to more venomous snake bites than in most countries, and in turn, more deaths.

Each of these powerful venomous snakes are capable of killing a human, and each of them can be readily found throughout the cities of India.  These venomous snakes are kind of a win/lose situation for the residents there – on the one hand they keep the vermin population in check, and on the other they are deadly if you are bitten.  Anti-venin is available widely throughout India in the event of a snake bite, and is a must if you are bitten by these big four snakes.

You will notice that the lengendary king cobra is not on this list of the big four.  The reason?  The king cobra is a reclusive snake that is content to hang out in the jungle.  For this reason, they do not come in contact with the people of India nearly as often.  Therefore they are not as dangerous.  A bite from a king cobra is as deadly as they come, but they are just much rarer.

Here are some interesting notes about each of the big four venomous snakes of Asia:

The Indian Cobra – also called a monocled cobra.  The Indian cobra is the cobra of legend that has a pair of monocled glasses on it’s back.  They are quite venomous, and will bite readily if you surprise or harrass them.  This is the snake that is used by snake charmers in India.

Russell's Viper Courtesy of Wikipedia Commons User Saleem Hameed

The Russell’s Viper – This snake is one of the most feared snakes in Asia.  One reason is because the snake is so tough to see, and so quick to bite.  They will strike without warning, and deliver a highly potent painful deadly snake bite.  The Russell’s viper is no joke in India.

The Saw-Scaled Viper – This little buggar is interesting in that it sounds much like a small rattlesnake.  The sound that it makes comes from rubbing it’s own scales against one another to create a buzzing noise.  This noise is sure to get people’s attention in India as they know the danger of this highly aggressive viper.

The Common Krait – Another potentially deadly snake that is famous in India.  It appears this

Saw Scaled Viper

snake is prone to climbing into bed with you in pursuit of a rodent or other vermin.  This is not a nightime surprise I would want to experience.  The common Krait is a beautiful but potentially deadly reptile.

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