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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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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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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