Ball pythons an Invasive species?!

[lunapoo]

NERD just posted and so here it is for you guys

"Here is an excerpt from the review article:

“The last chapter in the book is titled “Other Species at Risk
of Becoming Established in the United States.” Seven species
are briefly discussed; six are species that were featured in Reed
and Rodda (2009), and are included in the proposed action of
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to list ten species of great
constrictors on the Injurious Wildlife List. The seventh is Python regius, ball pythons, one of the most popular captive
snakes in the world with more than a million animals in this
country. The authors warn that this species is likely to become
invasive.
From the review article of the book:
www.vpi.com/sites/default/files/BarkerBarker_Review_InvasivePythons-2011.pdf

[The Serpent Merchant]

sometimes I just hate people.

[krinklebearcat]

sometimes I just hate people.

In what sense? In that you don't agree with the assessment that they could become invasive, or that you are frustrated (as I am) with irresponsible pet ownership?

[decensored]

Lol I think I will not be purchasing this book!

[Annarose15]

In what sense? In that you don't agree with the assessment that they could become invasive, or that you are frustrated (as I am) with irresponsible pet ownership?

In the sense that false information and fear-mongering are presented as fact that will likely influence legislation. Please read the Barkers' review of the book (linked by the OP).

[Redneck_Crow]

When they start taking drastic countermeasures against the invasive feral cats that keep crapping in my flowerbeds I'll consider the dangers of a ball python infestation.

Until then it's worrying about piss ants while the elephants stomp you as far as I'm concerned.

[sgath92]

or that you are frustrated (as I am) with irresponsible pet ownership?

Do you truly believe that radicalized Eco-terrorists would be above intentionally releasing pets in an attempt to help them outlaw what they see as immoral slavery?

Another thought to ponder: In that massive animal release in Ohio a couple months ago, why do you suppose a guy with keys to all his pens & enclosures would bother with painstakingly cutting all that metal fencing apart by hand before killing himself? I am not saying he was murdered [wasn't there, don't know one way or another] but it sure sounds like someone took advantage of the situation to intentionally release the animals.

[Dragoon]

sometimes I just hate people.

that just means your sane......maybe. too bad it the book was so poorly written with remedial grammar and language. It may have made an interesting read as an opposing view to my own.

[RobNJ]

In what sense? In that you don't agree with the assessment that they could become invasive, or that you are frustrated (as I am) with irresponsible pet ownership?

I am frustrated with irresponsible pet ownership as well, but I really see ball pythons establishing themselves here as a real long shot. Sure we have places with ideal environments for them...but ball pythons lack in 2 areas where most other successful invasive species do not.

1) They never become The Predator...they are a predator, but there will always be bigger, hungry things that will eat them...raccoons, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, etc...

2) They do not proliferate nearly to the extent of burms, boas, retics, rocks, and so many other species, reptile, fish, mammal, etc...

Taking those 2 things into account, I just don't see it.

[The Serpent Merchant]

In what sense? In that you don't agree with the assessment that they could become invasive, or that you are frustrated (as I am) with irresponsible pet ownership?

As has been said I don't support irresponsible pet ownership but that really isn't the issue here.

first off if you think that a snake from africa can become an invasive species anywhere but Florida in the US you are nuts. They barley can survive here (I live in florida and have yet to see a non-native snake)

also has been said before the issue of cats becoming an invasive species is actually a real one. I see stray cats every day, but as I just said I have yet to see a stray snake.

The whole burmese pythons in the everglades thing is a bunch of BS, they didn't get there because of pet owners releasing them into the wild but it was when a research facility in Miami got hit by a hurricane (I've been though my share of hurricanes: Charlie, Francis, Ivan, and Jeanne, just to name a few, all went through where I lived at the time) If a snake is going to get released into the wild I would say that getting hit by a hurricane and having your entire building leveled is a pretty good excuse.