Could BPs survive in FL?

[CoolioTiffany]

I wish I could get a large snake. I will either have to wait till I am out on my own, or lots of pleading with my mom. But jungle carpets are slender so they don't look there actual size.

I was goin to get a JCP, but i decided not to. Didn't feel like putting up with getting bit lol. Though, I'm glad I have the snake I have right now. All are nice and great eaters (don't know about the Hog since he is new and he has not had his first meal with me yet). I like to clean and care for my snakes, so the Dumeril's might not be a problem when she's her full grown length and size. I don't mind cleaning up after my snakes either, I find it very simple.

[Seneschal]

I...actually don't think so. At least not healthily. I've got a rescue snake who was found in someone's yard I think a little over a year ago; I acquired her shortly (about two weeks) thereafter. She was an adult when I recieved her. She was missing the tip of her tail, had a number of scratches, cuts, patches of missing scales, a big cut down the center of her head (which took MONTHS to heal), stuck sheds, massive areas with missing pigments, old scars, and while she was the same length as my then 2100g adult female, she was visibly underweight with her backbone standing out and a very "triangle" shape to her. I estimate she weighed 1400g at the most.

Even now a year later she still has scars, and the patches of missing pigmentation still haven't gone away. She only weighs 1960g, and I'd like her to be closer to 2200g. So, no, I don't think that balls are suited to living in Florida. Not that they cannot, but I seriously don't think that they would establish such a large and successful breeding population. At least not as successful as burmese pythons, in any case.

[Kaorte]

Even if people were to release their pet balls into the Florida environment, the chances of them surviving are very low. They have lived in captivity all their lives and are not ready for possible predators and finding food.

The Burmese population in Florida, unlike popular belief, was established because a large group of BABY snakes got loose during hurricane Andrew. Not because of people releasing their pets.

[DutchHerp]

Even if people were to release their pet balls into the Florida environment, the chances of them surviving are very low. They have lived in captivity all their lives and are not ready for possible predators and finding food.

The Burmese population in Florida, unlike popular belief, was established because a large group of BABY snakes got loose during hurricane Andrew. Not because of people releasing their pets.

And you can back this up, how?

Later, Matt

[Kaorte]

And you can back this up, how?

Later, Matt

http://www.vpi.com/sites/vpi.com/fil...compressed.pdf
http://www.vpi.com/sites/vpi.com/files/Reed_review.pdf
http://www.vpi.com/sites/vpi.com/fil...penLTR_001.pdf
This is enough to convince me.

The evidence points toward hurricane Andrew. That is when the spike of burmese pythons in the glades went up dramatically.

[STEW]

im going to have to agree with kaorte on this. The Barkers are too educated in the snake game to come with a bunch of BS. To say that people dont let their burms loose would be a stupid statement but to establish a population that size would take help from other factors i.e. warehouses, homes, and such being destroyed and the snakes escaping in mass numbers. It makes sense to me anyways. Im pretty sure there is a 45 page thread on this site in the regulations section or on a different site, probably both with the ones that know discussing this subject due to the bill that is trying to be passed.

[Mike Cavanaugh]

I don't think they would... maybe in the very south, but not anywhere else. Here in jacksonville, we still have hard freezes every year. (for you northerners that haven't heard that term before, It is when temperatures drop below freezing for several hours...)

[DutchHerp]

http://www.vpi.com/sites/vpi.com/fil...compressed.pdf
http://www.vpi.com/sites/vpi.com/files/Reed_review.pdf
http://www.vpi.com/sites/vpi.com/fil...penLTR_001.pdf
This is enough to convince me.

The evidence points toward hurricane Andrew. That is when the spike of burmese pythons in the glades went up dramatically.

Not to say much, but the Barkers are herpetoculturists, not herpetologists. Yes, Dave Barker has a degree in biology, but he is NOT a scientist.

I do not read papers like that.

Later, Matt

[Danounet]

Hmm I dont think a paper saying you went to this school and graduated from here and there surpases the knowledge of 2 individuals that have dedicated their lives to the knowledge of these creatures... but thats just my opinion.

[Kaorte]

Not to say much, but the Barkers are herpetoculturists, not herpetologists. Yes, Dave Barker has a degree in biology, but he is NOT a scientist.

I do not read papers like that.

Later, Matt

You should read them anyway, they are really interesting and informative. They don't use knowledge needed from a degree in herpetology. They use real information that is out there for all of us to use. They just use that information and form a really great opinion that makes a lot of sense. It convinced me!