BPs in Florida?

[PythonWallace]

Someone just emailed this link to me. Are there balls in S. Florida, or is she trying to say Burmese pythons?

http://aspcacommunity.ning.com/forum...p-the-invasive

[Jyson]

Me thinks she doesn't know what she is talking about.

[Joe Cope]

IF that is true it is horrible. BPs are a threat to no one.

[SGExotics]

Me thinks she doesn't know what she is talking about.

[Jyson]

IF that is true it is horrible. BPs are a threat to no one.

I am pretty sure she meant burmese pythons. Suprises me that they confuse the two species soo much.

[gmcclurelssu]

IF that is true it is horrible. BPs are a threat to no one.

"IF" its true (which I don't think it is), then what's wrong with non-lethal removal? Just because they are not a threat to humans or the majority of animals in the area does not mean that they should be there at any level. Even the most intelligent people can not predict all impacts invasive species can have.

That being said- lethal removal would be unacceptable unless there is a serious impact they would be causing (once again, i doubt it)

[Joe Cope]

"IF" its true (which I don't think it is), then what's wrong with non-lethal removal? Just because they are not a threat to humans or the majority of animals in the area does not mean that they should be there at any level. Even the most intelligent people can not predict all impacts invasive species can have.

"And to my horror they are telling us if we see them to kill them!"

That's not non-lethal.
That's why I believe it is horrible.

[Muze]

Hmmm...I know of an occassional BP that is found wandering a parking lot here & there, but I think it's the Burms that are a problem. Unfortunately, many ignorant people confuse the two.

[mainbutter]

lethal removal would be unacceptable unless there is a serious impact they would be causing (once again, i doubt it)

do you mind if I ask, why you feel this way?

I support lethal removal of invasive species, be they cuddly rabbits or cats, or cuddly burmese pythons, cane toads, and kudzu.

I don't some of florida's lethal removal laws, specifically regarding alligators just because they are big, but invasive species of all sorts I have absolutely zero issue with lethal removal.

Anyhoo, I also dislike morons who confuse burmese pythons and ball pythons. That's like confusing house cats and a mountain lion.

[gmcclurelssu]

Of course you may ask!

Right now I am an undergrad in fisheries and wildlife mgnt, so i have to divorce myself from personal attachment to 'cute' animals (as it seems you have as well). If they are invasive, lethal control is not always the most cost effective method, so I believe that other methods need to be used.

Now, i need to be clear that there is a difference between invasive, introduced and non-native species with regard to management practices. In my program, invasive species are defined to be causing harm to the environment. I believe in this case, BP's would not fall under that category if they were there, so lethal control would not be a wise use of money. The burms on the other hand have been documented having a very harmful impact, so in that case i support lethal control.