SNAKE ATTACK in our classrooms!!!!!

[Russ Lawson]

-There are as many as 150,000 pythons in Florida's Everglades National Park.

Extremely unlikely. Experts (not some USGS scientist who thinks they're an expert) estimate 5,000 to 10,000 pythons - this number was likely affected by the recent cold snap in Florida.

-The snakes are "Challenging the top of the food chain out here" says Bergeron. "It's not natural".

The top of the food chain in the Everglades consists of American alligators, American crocodiles, and Texas cougar/Florida panther hybrids. The bigger burms may eat some of the same food items, but it is unlikely any of the other species are being out-competed like that suggests. Alligators definitely feed on burms, and the fact that alligators are much heavier at the same lengths, and much more at home in an aquatic environment where a struggle would take place, it is without a doubt in my mind that should a Burmese python and an American alligator of the same size engage in a struggle, the alligator will win. However, when a burm goes after an alligator a fair bit smaller than it, the alligator does in fact end up as food for the burm (I believe 12 have been found with alligators in their stomachs, but I am not certain on that number).

-Burmese pythons are popular pets, but they can be difficults pets. They grow fast, and eat alot. Many python owners cannot care for their big pets, and dump them into the wild.

It is illegal to release exotics into the Everglades. Nobody has ever been caught releasing a Burmese python into the Everglades. Does this mean it has never happened, no. It is not as commonplace as the article states, especially now after all of the legislation, and considering the fact the FWCC has amnesty days for people to turn over these animals without being penalized. Also, the statement that many python owners can't care for their animals is complete crap.

-The Everglades are a perfect habitat for pythons.

The cold snap would indicate otherwise, but for the most part, it is good habitat for them.

-Pythons are the biggest hunters in the Everglades. They eat mamals, birds, and other reptiles.

Someone forgot about American alligators and crocodiles, which are MUCH heavier than Burmese pythons. These both are definitely bigger hunters than any of the ENP Burms.

- As of Aug 09, 21 Pythons have been caught.

I believe that number should be higher. I think somewhere around 200-300 to date have been captured.

You were right. Most of their "facts" are complete crap. Nice catch on that, and thank you for not submitting your 4th graders to that ignorant garbage.