The Problem

In a recent report from the USGS, findings show that several species of boa, anaconda, and python currently are, or have the potential to be invasive in the United States.  The high-risk species list includes the following:

• yellow anacondas
• northern African pythons
• southern African pythons
• boa constrictors
• Burmese pythons

Currently, the Burmese python poses the greatest risk, in that this species has already reproduced in the tens of thousands.

The Potential Damage

While the thought of “giant” snakes slithering near your neighborhood is not pleasant for some, high-risk snakes like the Burmese python do not pose an immediate threat to humans.  There have been reports of reticulated pythons attacking humans in their native countries, however any real danger of unprovoked human attack from these non-native snakes is very unlikely.

However, scientists are very concerned about the risk that these snakes pose to ecosystems as a whole, and to endangered species specifically.  In Florida, the endangered Key Largo woodrats have already been found to have been eaten by Burmese pythons.

In climate areas where these invasive snakes are likely to appear, native wildlife is in great danger, in that they have never had to contend with such large predators.  The USGS was clear to point out that birds, reptiles, and mammals are particularly vulnerable.

Geographical Snake Forecast

In an effort to predict where these non-native snakes can potentially dwell, the USGS created forecasts, including maps, to illustrate likely habitats.  Currently, northern African pythons and boa constrictors can be found in Miami, Florida, but for one non-native species – the Burmese python –   climates in multiple states can provide favorable living conditions.

According to one forecast map, the Burmese python could inhabit areas in most of the southern continental United States.  Parts of central California, Virgina, and even northern Oklahoma have favorable climates conducive to the survival of Burmese pythons.  By 2100, the favorable climate zones are expected to extend even further north due to the effects of global warming.

The Solution

National wildlife and park agencies are doing all they can to assess the potential danger to the ecosystem that these non-native snakes may cause.  The USGS states that they are working together with The Fish and Wildlife Service and The National Park Service to conduct risk-assessment, and to use scientific evidence to examine the threat of snake colonies.  Agencies will use the 300-page USGS report as a guide for any future regulations.

If you have a non-native snake as a pet, and can no longer care for it, please contact your local wildlife animal or reptile rescue, or try and find your slithery friend another good home.  Releasing a non-native snake into the wild is not only illegal, but also dangerous to your pet, your neighborhood, and to other wildlife.

For more information about the United States Geological Survey report on giant invasive snakes in the United States, please visit the USGS website.

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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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Of all the snake movies I have seen, perhaps Anaconda was the best attempt.  This movie starred Jennifer Lopez, Owen Wilson and John Voight among others.  Each of these actors brought some decent acting to Anacondas, and helped to make it a good snake movie.  The one thing about Anacondas though was that it was just far too over the top.  Suspending disbelief is one thing, but obliterating it is quite another.  This snake movie would have been even better if they had not made the snake and their capabilities so far over the top.  I like to stretch reality, not recreate it where snake movies are concerned.

What would have made Anacondas great instead of just good?  By drawing on the reality of Anacondas, this movie could have truly been incredible.  For example, the anaconda is pretty big to begin with.  They did not have to make the movie anaconda so large to make them scary.  They are huge!  Another point to make is that anacondas have been known to kill and eat small human beings.  For example, Jennifer Lopez sized women and children.  Having them be able to completely devour a human with a gulp was just too far over the top.  Why not make that more realistic?

Another key to making a snake movie great instead of merely good is to include more snakes.   Rather than having a huge one snake throwdown at the end of the movie, have the main characters be lured into a situation with thousands of the snakes.  That is infinitely more scary.

Finally, acting is a must in a great snake movie as it is with any other type of movie.  Why is it that snake movies, and any other animal attack type movies always draw second rate acting?  There are exceptions to the rule, but they are few and far between.  The vast majority of snake movies are very poorly acted.

Snake movies will always be a part of the horror movie landscape, but I hope that future ventures will work on bending reality and not simply recreating it.  I will be watching either way.

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Snake bite myths are something else.  I once was told this story by a person that obviously thought I knew diddily squat about snakes.  I laughed and walked away, though I should have informed them that a black mamba does not chase you unless cornered.  Even then, it will quickly take an escape route if given one.  I should have also told them that a black mamba does not kill you in ten seconds, unless it gives you a heart attack from the scare.

This story illustrates the irrational fears that people have about snakes.  The fact is, snake bites are almost always a case of someone doing something stupid.  Maybe they tried to kill the snake.  Maybe they stepped on it.  Maybe they tried to play with it.  I assure you they were not chased by it.

Snakes are creatures that simply want no part of anything that they can not eat.  They do not wish to harm people.  They can not eat us, and so we are useless to them.  We may be a danger to them, and so they bite in self defense.  Snake bites happen when we invade the reptile’s space.

The one exception to this rule might be the reticulated python or the Anaconda.  These two snakes could almost certainly eat a child or small framed adult.  The veracity of those claims is constantly debated.  What is certain is that many snakes can kill humans.  This does not mean they want to.

Venomous snakes bite purely in self defense.  If they feel threatened, they will bite quickly and forcefully.  The thing is, they sometimes do not even inject the venom.  This is called a “dry bite” and is usually because the snake is reserving their venom for food sources.  They do not want to waste their venom on us silly humans.

If you want to see the perfect example of people doing stupid things to get snake bitten, read all about this guy that got bitten in the face by a deadly pet gaboon viper.  It is a good illustration of how we bring snake bites down on ourselves.

The bottom line is that if we leave them alone, they will do the same.  If you come across a snake, ignore it and give it a wide berth.  I assure you, it will not chase you….. Even in Africa.

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