The media and Pythons.

[bsd13]

Unfortunately most people aren't having their minds changed about snakes with this kind of coverage. They are just having their opinions reinforced. The media isn't causing the issue, they're just showing people what they think they already know.

Shame on the people who let their ball python be used in this news clip. It's like the idiots who have to walk around trying to look all bad with their pit bull. Then they turn around and wonder why their town has suddenly banned the breed. Because the general perception was bad to begin with and the idiot owner just proved everyone right.

[CamStatic]

it wasn't a ball python, it was a big burmese python..

You can see the clip here, though it is in Norwegian. (Yep, we get the news about Floridas huge problems as well. :p)


I totally understand if they want to ban burmese and reticulated python in Florida, and similar states/countries where escaped or released reptiles can thrive and breed and survive, and do a lot of damage on the wildlife that already exists there. When people are stupid enough to release these animals into the wild where they don't belong, you can't really expect any other reaction from the government, nor the "uneducated" people who live around you.

[DM1975]

I am pretty sure that people releasing them into the wild is just a small reason for the large population of snakes their. I believe one of those reports even said it was due to a hurricane sending an importers shipment into the glades. But even with all of the misinformation and half truths passed along even on this website full of "enthusiasts" can you blame the ignorant?

You know, I really feel deep down inside that even as smart as we think we are, we are a very simple and gullible breed. My wife and I had a new baby 13 days ago and two(2) of my college educated friends, degree possessing, know it all, smarter than life friends asked me the day of the birth how long it would take for our newborn to open her eyes.

Always remember, people are stupid.

[CamStatic]

In the clip I posted, he says that they think the pythons mainly comes from people who release the animals into the Everglades when they have gotten too big to keep in their homes.

[DM1975]

In the clip I posted, he says that they think the pythons mainly comes from people who release the animals into the Everglades when they have gotten too big to keep in their homes.

If you notice I said "one of those" reports. Wouldn't it be strange if the news reported two totally different opinions about the same thing?

[CamStatic]

If you notice I said "one of those" reports. Wouldn't it be strange if the news reported two totally different opinions about the same thing?

I know, I was just saying.

[DM1975]

I know, I was just saying.

I understand, I just always revert back to my rule "people are stupid"

Not you, the media. I still do not understand why the news reporters give opinions. The news is not supposed to be talk shows, they are supposed to report the news, not opine on what their massive egos think is right or wrong.

[CamStatic]

Yeah, I agree with you. An earlier news report I found also said that the snakes might have gotten loose because of a hurricane storm. And now they blame it on people who release them.

Makes it kind of hard to know what to really believe, but maybe even both are true?

Either way, you should never trust media entirely, and swallow everything they say.. Especially here in Norway, the media LOVES to scare the public about reptiles. :/
The news-link I posted, the reporter started it with saying "They are big, dangerous and multiplying!"
Burmese python can deliver a pretty nasty bite, and kill young children and babies - but I hate how they put reptiles in that light when we have so many other totally accepted pets who can do much worse damage. Cats can do much more damage when pissed off or scared, dogs can kill , and horses can easily trample or kick persons...

But I do think the government is doing the right thing in this matter, about getting rid of the pythons in Everglades. I doubt any person at this forum disagree on that?

[WingedWolfPsion]

In the clip I posted, he says that they think the pythons mainly comes from people who release the animals into the Everglades when they have gotten too big to keep in their homes.

They aren't, though--most of the pythons are believed to have gone feral when facilities were damaged by Hurricane Andrew. I'm sure there are a few released pets in there as well, but when big reptile facilities and pet stores get torn up by hurricanes, a lot of things go missing.

[Elise.m]

actually the clip that CamStatic posted is not the video that I referred to in my original post. In the video I saw, they didn't even talk to those 3 Herpatologists. I haven't yet contacted anyone, still putting together a game plan