Monday, February 1, 2010

Florida Python



Up late one night I see a program called Monster Quest on the History Channel. The subject for this weeks episode is giant snakes in America. Here is what the guide said about it: A deadly, slithering menace is taking over Florida and may be heading north. For more than 100 years, giant pythons have been discovered in parts of the Sunshine State, but since Hurricane Andrew in 1992, their territory has rapidly spread. Now, MonsterQuest searches for incursions in the outskirts of Miami, a population hot spot that is just moments from schools and homes. The team investigates whether pythons could hybridize and adapt, enabling them to threaten every state in the US.



By the end of the program the answer is clear that yes pythons are doing a booming business. They caught one that was 20 feet long! Several scientist give their two cents worth but the one I just loved was the guy who said snakes are not aggressive. I agree (sort of) that snakes are not lurking out in the grass waiting to eat human passersby. You cannot argue that bigger snakes need bigger prey. What does a 20 ft python eat? The real question is what does a 20 ft Python NOT eat. It was really an interesting show and I learned a lot. Mostly why I won't be moving to Florida.

If you are interested you can watch it on Saturday, February 06 03:00 PM on the History Channel.