Do giant snakes pose a threat to campers in the Everglades?
The Burmese Python’s population has exploded in the Everglades. Scientists think they are the offspring from released pets. Cities around the south worry about this problem, even chilly San fransisco.
Supposedly humans are hard for constrictors to swallow because of the breadth of our shoulders, but they can bite with sharp teeth and easily squeeze the life out of animals as big as alligators. The snakes are also known to be able to kill animals over twice their weight.
Because of climate, studies show, the pythons are unlikely to reproduce and spread to areas other than south Florida’s everglades. The same study also suggested that the trend in global climate change will make even the south of Florida inhospitable for the snakes.
So in addition to the alligators, crocodiles and panthers, Everglades visitors have to worry about giant pythons as well?
It is estimated that 30,000 snakes already live in the area. The snakes can weigh 200 lbs and reach 30 feet. But the snakes, non poisonous, are known for their docile temperament.
It is not hard to imagine that a big hungry snake might mistake a person for dinner. This is especially true because they try, and some times fail, to eat alligators.
The next time you are hiking through the back country of south Florida’s Everglades be careful. The growing population of these enormous snakes does pose a threat to all animals, even curious humans.
