geological survey, said everything from small wood storks, alligators and bobcats have been found in the stomachs of dead pythons. Robert Reed, a research biologist with the U.S. Officials say the constrictors can produce up to 100 eggs at a time. They also think some Burmese pythons may have escaped in 1992 from pet shops battered by Hurricane Andrew and have been reproducing ever since. Scientists believe pet owners have freed their snakes into the wild once they became too big to keep. The number of invasive pythons in South Florida and throughout Everglades National Park has exploded in the past decade to potentially tens of thousands, though wildlife officials aren't sure exactly how many are out there. Seven are being studied in a natural enclosure in South Carolina to see if the tropical natives can live through colder winters. Scientists are already studying where Burmese pythons can survive in the U.S. Five - Burmese pythons, northern and southern African pythons, boa constrictors and yellow anacondas - are of "high risk" to the ecosystems of the U.S., especially in Florida.įour others - the reticulated python, Deschauensee's anaconda, green anaconda and Beni anaconda - are considered medium risk to ecosystems. The report analyzed nine kinds of snakes. "In many aspects, the report confirms what we already knew: that these snakes are a problem and that they do pose some risk," Warren said. The FWC will now evaluate the report and seek public comment before recommending such a ban. Fish and Wildlife Service's South Florida office. The 302-page report could be a step toward a ban on importing constrictor-like snakes into the U.S., said Ken Warren, spokesman for the U.S. The big snakes threaten native species and ecosystems because they mature and reproduce quickly, travel long distances and can eat almost anything in fur, feathers or scales, experts say. Geological Survey report released Tuesday, nonnative snakes like the Burmese python could slither their way north from the warm, humid conditions of South Florida. There are five species of foreign snakes just waiting to eat you. MIAMI - Watch out, animals of South Florida: It's a wild world out there.
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