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February 27, 2008

Warming America: A Python Paradise?

I heard on the news the other day that a new USGS survey found that with the current warming climate, one third of the United States will become prime territory for the non-naitve pythons.

They're slithering closer and closer, guys! These are USGS maps of the current python-friendly habitat and where they may be able to slither by 2100.

Maps by USGS

Already, foolish pet owners often release their unwanted pet snakes into the wild, which has caused a lot of problems in places like the Everglades, where the snakes constrictors can outcompete the native wildlife, including gators, for meals. Now places like San Francisco are prime new hunting grounds for these invasive reptiles.

Meanwhile, people are coming in contact with wildlife more often, as suburbs spread, and open space dwindles. Just this week, a family in Australia had a close encounter with a 16-foot python in their yard, with tragic results.

BRISBANE, Australia - A 16-foot python stalked a family dog for days before swallowing the pet whole in front of horrified children in the Australian tropics, animal experts said Wednesday.

The boy and girl, aged 5 and 7, watched as the scrub python devoured their silky terrier-Chihuahua crossbreed Monday at their home near Kuranda in Queensland state.

Stuart Douglas, owner of the Australian Venom Zoo in Kuranda, said scrub pythons typically eat wild animals such as wallabies, a smaller relative of the kangaroo, but sometimes turn to pets in urban areas.

"It actively stalked the dog for a number of days," Douglas said.

"The family that owned the dog had actually seen it in the dog's bed, which was a sign it was out to get it," he added.

"They should have called me then, but (the snake) got away and three or four days later, I was called and went around and removed it" after the dog had been killed, Douglas said.

By the time Douglas arrived, all that could be seen of the dog was its hind legs and tail.

More at: MSNBC: Python stalks, eats family dog in front of kids

Soon no Chihuahua will be safe…

Posted by sorsha at February 27, 2008 5:02 PM