So I was down in the Glades last summer doin’ some airboat touristing and gator spotting with my buddy Billy Bob, hopin’ we might get eyes on one of them big old Burmese pythons.
I had my fancy new camera all gear’d up and we was sneakin’ through the sawgrass real quiet-like.
Then quicker’n a gator can lunge, this monster snake comes flyin’ out of the water right in front of the boat! Near gave me and Billy Bob both a heart attack right then and there.
It was thicker’n my leg and longer’n my truck! I jumped back so fast I lost my hat clean overboard.
Billy Bob was howlin’ laughin’ at me but lemme tell ya, it got me thinkin’ – if these giant critters are causin’ such a ruckus down here, why don’t they just get some folks with rifles to take ’em out?
The main reasons the authorities don’t go around poppin’ off pythons is ’cause it could be inhumane, dangerous as all get out, and wouldn’t do diddly to control the snake population in the long run.
Anywho, after that close encounter I was ready to grab my thirty ought six and start blastin’ away myself.
But as it turns out, there’s more layers to the onion, as they say.
Stick around and I’ll ‘splain to ya why the smart folks say squeezin’ off snake shots just ain’t the answer when it comes to clearin’ these scaly invaders outta the Glades.
It’d Be Downright Inhumane
Now them pythons may have tough scaly skin tough as leather, but underneath they still got organs and bones same as any critter.
And a bullet bustin’ through at close range is bound to do some damage whether it kills the snake quick or not.
Even a big old python would likely feel it if you blew a hole clear through its guts or snapped a leg bone.
With snakes feelin’ pain same as us, poppin’ off at ’em from a ways away could mean hours of hurt before the poor thing finally kicks the bucket.
And no critter deserves to suffer like that, invasive or not.
Plus have you seen how well them snakes can camouflage in the grass and trees down there? Spotting just one of them yellow-brown buggers in all that thick green would be next to impossible even for the best set of eyes.
And pepperin’ away with a high-powered rifle at a hiddy snake thats wigglin’ through the bushes – well shootin’ a movin’ target from far off ain’t as easy as them sharpshooters make it look on the ol’ western flicks.
You’d be bound to miss more shots than hit your mark, and even with few folks traipsin’ the Glades there’s always a chance one of your stray bullets might find its way to an unintended target.
Now that’d be a fine pickle!
And even if by some miracle every slippery snake you did manage to spot got properly plugged, it still wouldn’t put even the tiniest dent in the snake population problem overall.
The researchers say there’s likely tens of thousands of them pythons slitherin’ all over down there, completely unseen by human eyes.
Poppin’ off a few hundred snakes a year wouldn’t do jack diddly to slow them down from out-competin’ all the local critters for food and territory.
A more comprehensible, full-scale removal method’s needed here.
Instead of aimless pot-shottin’, the officials have been tryin’ strategies like organizin’ python huntin’ teams to deliberately search the likeliest habitats with nets and snares.
Get the public eyes keeping watch too and teach ’em to report any sightings so the problem snakes can be corralled and removed proper.
Ongoing research is also helpin’ to map out the pythons’ habits and patterns so the removal teams know just where to focus their efforts for max effect.
It’s a Widespread Problem
The Burmese python issue ain’t just contained to a small area neither.
These big snakes have spread all over south Florida over the past few decades and established breeding populations across a huge stretch of land.
Their range now covers over 1,000 square miles from the far reaches of the Everglades down to the Florida Keys.
With such a massive area for them to hide out and multiply, finding and removing each individual python is a task akin to launching a whole guerilla war down in the swamp.
Controlling these critters across such a wide border would take a 24/7 python posse ten times the size we got now.
And even then there’d still be plenty slipping through the cracks to continue the invasion.
Shooting ’em all willy nilly would only lead to even more suffering critters as the majority would still go missed or wounded instead of killed quick and clean.
They Breed Like Crazy
Females can lay up to 100 eggs at a time too.
Once them eggs hatch the lil snakelets are on their own to survive.
Considering a single mama snake can pop out a hundred babies every year, their numbers truly do multiply faster than bunnies.
Even with hunters and teams removing thousands of the big snakes annually, the babies filling out to replace ’em far outpace the effort.
You’d have better luck emptying the Atlantic Ocean with a teaspoon than controlling the python population through shooting alone with them kind of birthing numbers.
Comprehensive monitoring and removal has to start even earlier at the egg and hatchling stages to put a real dent in their population growth.
Eating Everything in Sight
These invasive pythons have no natural predators to keep their numbers balanced down in the Everglades.
Without anything preying on them, they prey on just about every other living thing instead.
Raccoons, deer, alligators, bobcats – you name it, these big constrictors will swallow it whole if they can wrap their coils around it.
They’ve even been found with whole deer and alligators inside them after a big meal.
Our native critters never evolved defenses against a super-predator like the python and have no way to avoid becoming dinner.
As the pythons multiply and eat everything in sight, it threatens the whole delicate natural balance of the Everglades ecosystem.
Simply shooting a few here and there does nothing to curb the around-the-clock buffet they’ve turned our swamps into.
Hard to Spot in the Dense Brush
All that sawgrass, cypress knees and hanging Spanish moss makes the Everglades thick as pea soup in places.
A giant brown and yellow snake can lay itself out on a tree branch above you and you’d never even know it was there till it dropped down to say hello.
Even experienced trackers and hunters have trouble picking out a still python from all that green background.
From a distance while on the move, their camouflage is near perfect.
Taking pot shots into the thick stuff on the off-chance of hitting a snake is like trying to bullseye a termite without being able to clearly see the termite.
Even if shots were humane and safe, the odds of actually hitting a snake versus just wasting ammo are darn slim.
Modern tracking technology, trained dogs and careful observation are having better success finding pythons where eyes alone often fail.
The Public is Key to Success
With over twenty million people calling Florida home, there’s really no way officials alone can adequately monitor over 1,000 square miles of protected wilderness day and night.
But educate even a small percentage of locals and visitors on python identification and proper reporting methods, and suddenly you’ve got an extra twenty million sets of eyes on alert around the clock.
Reports from anglers, airboaters, hikers and more have already led to the discovery and removal of hundreds of problem snakes that may have otherwise gone permanently unseen.
Enlisting citizen helps cuts the search area like crazy versus just relying on the over-stretched removal crews alone.
It’s a true community effort that will ultimately have far better results than a few hobbyist hunters plinkin’ in the woods.
An informed public playing active roles in humane removal may be the surest solution in the end.
Incentivizing Capture
Some experts think offering cash prizes could help too.
If Florida held yearly python hunts awarding dollars to the top critter catchers, it may draw in more volunteers willing to spend extra time on the frontlines.
Folks naturally love the thrill of competition, so holding tournaments and contests could light a bigger fire under removing snakes for the cash and glory
Events like that have already led to big hauls of snakes being bagged in other states’ removal programs.
Money talks, and offering bounties may convince more recreational hunters, trappers and nature lovers to make python interception a regular pastime.
Gamifying the removal process using prize incentives could create a whole cavalry of amateurs actively scanning for the interlopers long-term.
Tap into human nature and gamify the removal for best results.
The Problem with Pythons in Florida
If you live in Florida, you might have heard about the invasion of pythons.
These snakes, originally from Southeast Asia, have become a major problem in the state.
They were first introduced to Florida as pets, but over time, many were released into the wild, where they quickly established a population.
The Invasion of Pythons
The invasion of pythons in Florida is a serious problem.
According to a study by the U.S. Geological Survey, their population has exploded in just 20 years, from a few snakes at the southern tip of Everglades National Park to an invasion that envelops the southern third of Florida.
Pythons are now found in many different habitats, including forests, swamps, and even suburban areas.
The reason for this rapid expansion is that pythons are very adaptable and have no natural predators in Florida.
They can grow up to 20 feet long, and females can lay up to 100 eggs at a time.
This means that the python population can grow very quickly, and they can easily outcompete native species for food and habitat.
The Negative Impact of Pythons on Florida’s Ecosystem
The negative impact of pythons on Florida’s ecosystem is significant.
Pythons are apex predators, which means they are at the top of the food chain.
They prey on a wide range of animals, including mammals, birds, and reptiles.
This has led to a decline in many native species, some of which are now endangered.
In addition to their impact on native species, pythons also pose a threat to humans.
While they are not venomous, they are very large and powerful snakes that can be dangerous if they feel threatened.
There have been reports of pythons attacking humans and pets, and they have even been known to swallow small alligators whole.
Overall, the invasion of pythons in Florida is a serious problem that requires immediate action.
While there are efforts underway to control their population, such as hunting and trapping programs, more needs to be done to protect Florida’s unique ecosystem and the people who live there.
Are you allowed to shoot Pythons in Florida?
No! You are not allowed to shoot Pythons in Florida.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), which oversees the management of wildlife in the state, does not endorse shooting as an effective or responsible means of python control.
The FWC encourages the use of humane & targeted removal methods, such as trapping and professional removal programs, to address the python issue.
These methods help ensure the safety of both humans and native wildlife while minimizing the risk of unintended harm.
So, you may be surprised to learn that Florida doesn’t permit the shooting of non-native reptiles like Burmese pythons.
However, there is a way to tackle this invasive species, you can humanely kill them with no permit.
Burmese pythons are Southeast Asian pythons.
They were introduced to Florida and have now taken over the Florida Everglades.
There are other invasive snakes in South Florida, but Burmese pythons are the big problems.
These pythons eat much native wildlife and spread non-native parasites to other Floridian native wildlife.
To cushion their destructive effect the state government has allowed people to kill these invaders at will.
Hunting pythons in Florida does not require a license.
However, it is guarded by rules and regulations, which every hunter needs to know.
Hunting Pythons in Florida
Python hunting in Florida is encouraged by the FWC, but it must strictly be on private lands, with the permission of the landowner or at any of the 25 public land areas.
You must obtain a permit before you can hunt pythons in any other place outside these areas.
The hunter must kill any python he hunted in the permitted areas or humanely euthanize it.
Hunters are forbidden from transporting live pythons.
In addition they are not allowed to use firearms or traps to hunt pythons on public lands.
This implies that the python must be captured by hand, hooks, tongs, or noose poles before it is safely euthanized.
Managing the Python Population in FL
Scientists & researchers are actively studying python behavior and biology to inform effective management strategies.
For example, a study published in the journal “Ecology and Evolution” found that female Burmese pythons in the Everglades National Park tend to have larger home ranges during the breeding season, providing valuable insights for targeted removal efforts.
Python Patrol: Boots on the Ground
The Python Removal Contractor Program, initiated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), engages professional hunters to capture and remove pythons from the wild.
this program has resulted in the removal of over 17,000 pythons since its launch in 2017, with some individual hunters contributing significantly to the overall count.
Technology-Assisted Tracking
Innovative technologies are being utilized to aid python management efforts. The FWC has employed the use of infrared-equipped drones to survey large areas and detect pythons’ heat signatures.
Furthermore, radio telemetry is utilized to track tagged pythons, providing valuable data on their movements and behavior within the ecosystem.
Collaborative Conservation Programs
Collaboration is a key aspect of python population management.
The South Florida Water Management District, in partnership with the FWC, initiated the Python Elimination Program, which incentivizes python removal by paying registered hunters for capturing and removing pythons.
This program, combined with the efforts of numerous organizations and agencies, showcases a collaborative approach to combat the python invasion.
Public Engagement: Spreading Awareness
Raising public awareness is essential for engaging communities in python management.
The FWC organizes events like Python Challenges and Python Patrol trainings to educate and involve the public in reporting python sightings and contributing to removal efforts.
Moreover, citizen science programs such as the Python Patrol app and the Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area provide platforms for reporting sightings and collecting valuable data.
These long-term strategies and conservation efforts, backed by ongoing research, professional removal programs, technology-assisted tracking, collaborations among organizations, and public engagement initiatives, are vital components of managing the python population in Florida.
Why don’t they shoot the Pythons in FL?
It is not allowed.
There is no law protecting the Burmese pythons in Florida except the anti-cruelty law.
The ethical and legal obligation demands that the Burmese python must be killed humanely.
There is no campaign in Florida for the protection of pythons just as it is being done for manatees, panthers, sea turtles, and wild animals.
To encourage python hunters, the Florida state government has started to pay them.
They are now known as python contractors. They are paid every hour they go python hunting, and for every python they killed.
There are palaces where the python contractors can hunt but other people are not authorized to hunt.
The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) or the FWC use to hire their services.
For any hunter to be hired as a python contractor, he has to go through a hiring process the same way it is done in other jobs and has also to go through many training sessions.
However, there are other ways you can get paid for hunting pythons in Florida.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) organizes a Python challenge every year.
Professional and nonprofessional python hunters are eligible for context.
There are different price categories and different cash rewards attached to them ranging between $750 and $2,500.
Python Hunting Business
You will find python hunting lucrative if you can be able to kill many of them or a big one. The snakes are difficult to find.
You may spend hours, days, or even weeks searching for one.
The python contractors are paid between $10 and $15 every hour for a maximum of 10 hours a day, subject to the area.
They are paid $50 for each python they kill and an extra $25 per foot for the excess length of a python that is longer than four feet.
For instance, when a python contractor killed a 10-foot-long python, he receives $200 in addition to his hourly wage.
For each active nest, they can find they are paid $200.
Although you can make some good money from python hunting, it is stressful and requires patience and hours of search.
Just like any other animal, you cannot correctly predict pythons.
The chance you have to find one sometimes depends on the time of year, weather conditions, time of the day, and luck sometimes.
Most python hunters take it as pass time job because of its uncertainty and remuneration while doing other jobs.
Many senior citizens go python hunting to pass time and make some extra money.
Python Hunting Season in Florida
You can go python hunting in Florida at any time of the year but it must be in authorized places or on private properties if you have the landowner’s permission.
If you want to contest the Python Challenge, it is coming up in June.
You can see pythons in Florida at any time of the year.
They are nocturnal creatures so you can see them moving about at the night.
During the cold winter months, you will see them during the day as they warm themselves.
They mate during the winter, and it is the time they form breeding balls or breeding aggregations, meaning you can see more than one of them at a place.
They are more active immediately after heavy rain or storm, during the hotter, wetter months.
There is no hunting season for pythons, but these are the periods of the year you stand greater chances of seeing them hunt.
How do they humanely kill pythons in Florida?
Pythons are an invasive species in Florida and have a significant impact on the local ecosystem.
As a result, controlling their population is necessary.
However, it’s crucial to ensure that their deaths are humane.
By destroying the reptile’s brain.
You can humanely kill pythons in Florida with different methods.
The two most common methods used are:
Cervical Dislocation Method
- This method involves manually breaking the python’s neck
- Considered a humane method of killing because it causes a quick and painless death
- Commonly used by biologists and trained professionals to control the population of pythons in the wild
- Requires precision and should only be carried out by trained professionals to avoid causing unnecessary pain or injury to the snake
- Can be done using the following steps:
- Restraining the snake to minimize movement
- Grasping the snake’s head in one hand and the body in the other
- Applying a quick and forceful twist to the head to break the neck
- Checking the snake for any signs of life to ensure that it’s dead
Captive Bolt Gun Method
- This method involves using a device called a captive bolt gun, typically used for humanely slaughtering livestock
- The bolt gun shoots a metal rod into the python’s brain, causing instantaneous death
- Also considered a humane method of killing
- Requires a high level of skill and accuracy to avoid missing the target and causing unnecessary pain or injury to the snake
- Only authorized and trained professionals should carry out this method
It’s essential to note that both methods are approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association and are considered humane when carried out correctly.
How Florida Humanely Controls Its Python Population
Let me tell you, there’s more than one way to handle Florida’s python invasion!
And the best part is, not all of them involve taking the snakes’ lives.
These methods are still effective in controlling the population of pythons, though.
Take a look at these interesting examples:
Trapping and relocating:
- This method involves trapping the pythons using live traps and then relocating them to areas where their impact on the ecosystem is minimal.
- Trapped pythons can be fitted with radio transmitters to monitor their movement and behavior after release.
- This method is considered less lethal and more humane than killing the snakes, but it requires extensive knowledge and training to be carried out correctly.
Judas snakes:
- This method involves using “Judas snakes,” which are captured snakes fitted with radio transmitters.
- The Judas snakes are released back into the wild, where they lead biologists to other pythons, which are then captured and removed.
- This method is effective in managing the population of pythons without killing them, but it requires a high level of expertise and specialized equipment.
Canine detection teams:
- This method involves using specially trained dogs to locate and capture pythons in the wild.
- The dogs are trained to detect the scent of pythons and alert their handlers, who can then capture and remove the snakes.
- This method is considered more humane than killing the snakes, but it requires significant resources and time to train and maintain the canine detection teams.
Please note that all of these methods have their pros & cons and should be carried out by trained professionals to ensure that they are effective and humane.