Snakes Gone Wild

A few years ago at a Florida flea market I came across an albino python stuffed into a small glass aquarium that was sitting in the sun. The owner (whose cruelty in baking the poor beast derived from a combination of ignorance and apathy) had an all-too-common story. The snake had been purchased as a pet for the man’s son who, not untypically, soon tired of it. There followed threats to get rid of the reptile, pleas from the boy to keep it, promises to take better care of it, during which time the 18-inch python grew to a near five feet and the threats won out.

I was reminded of this story after the recent release of a report from the U.S. Geological Survey, “Giant Constrictors: Biological and Management Profiles and an Establishment Risk Assessment for Nine Large Species of Pythons, Anacondas, and the Boa Constrictor”, which discusses the ecological impact that the colonization of these species in the wild will have on the United States. One sentence in the report, penned by R.N. Reed and G.H. Rodda, jumped right out at me:

“At present, the only probable pathway by which these species would become established in the United States is the pet trade. Importation for the pet trade entails a risk of establishment of these animals as exotic or invasive species, but it hardly guarantees that establishment.”

In the last 30 years, more than one million of the nine giant species discussed in the report have been imported into this country. As many, or more, may have been bred in the U.S. Which brings me back to the point of my original story. Careless and uncaring owners are responsible for the proliferation of thousands of non-indigenous, and potentially dangerous, snakes in the wild. The man in my story was at least making some attempt to re-home his python but all too many others simply release their pets to fend for themselves.

It is estimated that tens of thousands of Burmese pythons alone have now populated southern Florida. The numbers of other giant constrictors is unknown but the potential for harm to endangered species, livestock and pets, as well as human health is problematic. These huge reptiles are certainly capable of killing large wildlife (panthers, crocodiles) and cattle. They may also host a variety of ticks that can carry heartwater disease (potentially fatal to cattle) and capillariasis, an infection that can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, protein and electrolyte loss and even death, to people.

The more direct threat to human life – humans as a food source – is minimal. But even one death is one too many, as in the case of a 2-year old Florida girl who was crushed to death by the family’s 8-foot pet python.

In their 350-page study, Reed and Rodda discuss the possibility of eradicating colonization but state, “To date there has been no evidence that a colonization could be eradicated by management activities.” And in a separate statement, biologist Robert Reed said, “Instead of looking at the pound of cure, maybe it’s time to look at the pound of prevention.” I couldn’t agree more and would further comment that prevention should begin with education of potential owners and control of irresponsible breeders, importers and dealers.

“There’s a snake hidden in the grass.” ~ Virgil