Burm tests in SC

[dreese88]

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/state/c...g_Pythons.html

A friend of mine in Palm Beach sent this to me. Not sure how I feel about how the snakes are portrayed, but at least they are going to see how ridiculous that USGS map was.

[Denial]

Yes because every time I clean a burms cage they show me there fangs! Well at least they are testing something. I dont believe they could survive here.

[Rakk101]

The more poodles they eat the better

[Denial]

I think it would do good if they took a few stray cats out. We have a HUGE feral cat problem here. THey cause more damage yearly then any snake could.

[BHB]

Although I think this test will prove that they will not survive a slightly more northern climate. I think the article was ridiculous, I just can't believe how so called scientist make crap up like they would love poodles. Aren't they supposed to base their opinions in science and not speculation?? This is a small part of a very big problem. And that is that the majority of people in this country read these so called scientist opinions and take them as fact. We are losing the war on public opinion and we need to do something about it quick or your Ball Python and it's fangs will be out lawed as well! Brian(BHB)

[mainbutter]

has ANYONE ever seen substantiated reports of any large constrictor EVER successfully eating a human(even a small child)? Everything I have come across has been unsubstantiated or even proven to be a complete hoax(the guy half-inside a dead retic's sliced open stomach for example)

[Rakk101]

I agree with you two, I was reading that report and thought they made it sound like a horror movie script.

[MarkS]

Although I think this test will prove that they will not survive a slightly more northern climate. I think the article was ridiculous, I just can't believe how so called scientist make crap up like they would love poodles. Aren't they supposed to base their opinions in science and not speculation?? This is a small part of a very big problem. And that is that the majority of people in this country read these so called scientist opinions and take them as fact. We are losing the war on public opinion and we need to do something about it quick or your Ball Python and it's fangs will be out lawed as well! Brian(BHB)

I wouldn't call Witt Gibbons a 'so called' Scientist. He's been in charge of the Savannah River Ecology Lab for quite some time, several decades I think. And is a very well respected herpetologist who has authored several papers and booklets on reptiles from serious studies to identification guides. Some people here may even have read his works without even knowing it. I believe he wrote, or wrote a large part of, the Boy Scouts Reptile merit badge guide.

I remember watching him give a talk about 15 or so years ago on one of his projects involving the study of snake ranges and tracking their movements using PIT tagging techniques. It was a very interesting talk, but what I remember best was his quirky sense of humor. The type of humor that would be very easy to misrepresent in a printed article. I don't doubt that he actually said what he is claimed to have said in the article, what I would like to know is how he said it and the tone of voice used.

I believe that this study will show very quickly, that burmese pythons can NOT survive as far North as was claimed by that stupid map. Then there would be actual PROOF, not just guesses.

[Ben Biscy]

anyone have a link to the map?

[MarkS]

anyone have a link to the map?

http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=1875