Snakes World

Humongous pythons have invaded South Florida and the race is on to capture them. Many snake experts have been recruited to the front lines of Florida’s war on pythons. Eradication is a government priority. Special licenses have been issued to python assassins. Bounties have even been debated. Scientists have implanted transponders inside female snakes in the hopes of enticing males that could be captured. Many snake enthusiasts have said for awhile that the solution to the python problem in Florida is a big cold spell. And now after Florida’s coldest winter in recorded history, there’s evidence that they may be right.

Nine of the 10 pythons carrying transmitters died during the winter. Although the pythons took a major hit from the cold, they definitely were not wiped out. Teams found many live snakes during the time after the cold spell. No one knows how many snakes were out there before the temperature plummeted, nor does anyone know how many survived. This summer will be very telling since hot weather makes the snakes active. Reptile traders say the cold killed so many snakes that the government should stop worrying about it. The Interior Department wants to ban sales of Burmese pythons and other large constrictors, such as boas and anacondas. Many snake lovers agree that pythons are bad news for the Everglades ecosystem but also say that if breeders are banned from selling their snakes, they’ll simply turn them all loose.

Ancient snakes used to feed on dinosaur eggs. And the proof is in the fossils. Fossilized remains of a 67 million-year-old snake found coiled around a dinosaur egg provides insight into the snake’s habits as well as evolution. The snake was an estimated 11 1/2 feet long. Amazingly, the snake’s remains were nearly complete and well preserved. Findings in this week’s issue of PLoS Biology provide evidence that the snake fed on eggs and hatchings of sauropod dinosaurs. These dinosaurs were the largest animals ever. Some weighed as much as 100 tons. This means the snake was one of the few predators to prey on the long-necked herbivores. Also 100 million years ago, snakes were developing mobile jaws similar to those of vipers and boas. The fascinating history of snakes continues to amaze.

This is not good news for all of us snake lovers, especially those who like Burmese Pythons and Boa Constrictors.

Firefighters in St. George, Utah, had much more to deal with in addition to fire flames when they answered a call inside a neighborhood trailer park.  Turns out, the flames had been the simple part. The difficult part of their job was rescuing the trailer owner’s nineteen pet pythons from the fire. Apparently the owner had such a massive collection of pet snakes that they may have been consuming too much electricity. The good news is that incredibly, of the nineteen snakes captured inside the fire, eleven of them pulled through, which included an 18 foot giant serpent. Sadly, that means that eight of the snakes were killed. The reason for the fire is thought to be a malfunctioning heat lamp fixture for one of the numerous, snake terrariums within the trailer. If all of the heat lamps were plugged into the same breaker, then it’s surprising that a fire didn’t start sooner. A little common sense always comes in handy.

Cambodian polіce confiscated an incredible twο tons of livө snakes and tortoises. Yes, that’s right. Two tons! They arгested two мen trying to smuggle the slithөring cargo υp а rivөr from Cambodia to Vietnam. Acting on a tіp, pοlice intercepted the boаt Wednesday on the Bаssac Rivөr in southeastern Cаmbodia just before it crossed іnto Vietnam. They found 3,640 pounds of snakes, mοstly pythons, and 263 tortoiѕes tһat weigһed а combined 697 pounds, said Col. Chan Savouen, deputy police chіef of Kandаl province.

Snakes and tortoises arө rare reрtiles in that countrү and are ѕtrongly prohibited froм being hunted and trafficked. Police arrested tωo Cambodians, agөd 17 аnd 20, whο sаid theү wөre hired to tгansport the cargo but did nοt know the identities of thөir employers. Nοw whү dοn’t I Ьelieve theіr story? They saіd sοme of the reptiles had been illegally hunted in Cаmbodia and othөrs werө traffickөd from neighboring Thailand. I аm glad to report that the snakes and tortoises were rөleased into the wild οn Wednesday. Vietnam iѕ often used аs a transit рoint for trafficking illegal wildlife from Southeaѕt Asіa to China to feed its мarket foг exotіc pөts and foods.

Is the photograph showing a 55 foot snake found in a forest in China a hoax? It was initially posted on the website of the People’s Daily, the official China Communist Party newspaper. It claimed the snake was one of two enormous boas found by workers clearing forest for a new road. I have to question whether it was a boa at all. A reticulated python, maybe. They apparently woke up the sleeping snakes during attempts to bulldoze some mounds. Here’s how the post read:

“On the third dig, the operator found there was blood amongst the soil, and with a further dig, a dying snake appeared. At the same time, another gold coloured giant boa appeared with its mouth wide open. The driver was paralyzed with fear, while the other workers ran for their lives. By the time the workers came back, the wounded boa had died, while the other snake had disappeared. The bulldozer operator was so sick that he couldn’t even stand up.”

They claimed the digger driver was so traumatized that he suffered a heart attack on his way to hospital and later died. Now this is getting to be a bit far fetched. It also said the dead snake was 55 feet long, weighed 300kg and was estimated to be 140 years old. 140 years old is a little much for me to believe. Giant boas are not even native to the area.

I just recently finished my 3rd book. It’s called “Snake Care and Feeding: 52 Tips For Healthy Pet Snakes.” It’s intended for snake enthusiasts who are interested in doing things the right way and taking good care of pet snakes. This information will prepare you with everything you need. All of the basic requirements are covered including picking out the right snake, buying a cage and accessories, how to treat a sick snake, shedding, and more. I also discuss the costs of owning a snake as well as my recommendation for the first snake you should get. These tips will provide you with the information you need to be a successful snake hobbyist. It all comes in a simple yet informative guide full of tips that you can apply immediately. Most people will be able to read it in an hour, since it’s only 66 pages. There is no fluff. I get straight to the tips. It is available through Amazon.com by clicking HERE.

It looks like things are being put into motion that could eventually lead to making exotic snake sales illegal. A U.S. Geological Survey just released a report stating that exotic snakes pose a serious risk to natural wildlife. The study specifically mentioned Burmese pythons, boa constrictors, yellow anacondas, reticulated pythons, and others. Their belief is that these snakes are a risk to the wildlife in national parks. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is expected to declare these snakes as “injurious species.” This would in turn prohibit imports and cross-state sales. I know I am not alone as an advocate for snakes who feel that banning the sale of these wonderful snakes will cause many snake owners to buy and sell them them illegally or release them into the wild.

Florida State Senator Eleanor Sobel plans to file a bill that would crush the Burmese python pet market by making it illegal to own this snake. Senator Sobel says it will “save our fragile environment and the people of Florida.” For the many snake lovers like myself, I think this is outrageous. How many people die each year from snakes? Very few relative to the deaths from other animals. The Burmese python makes a great pet. I had one myself a few years back. I am sure this is a result of the two year old that was suffocated recently by a python. I do sympathize with the family, but is one isolated tragedy reason enough to ban this great snake as a pet? If they ban this snake as a pet, it will cause snake owners to turn them loose before they ever turn them over to the authorities to have killed. I wonder if the politicians have considered this possibility.

Are you considering getting a pet? Then you should give some thought to a pet snake. Since you are here, we will assume that you are not petrified at the very sight of one. Therefore, here are some good reasons for having a pet snake. First things first. Let’s dispel some myths. Snakes are not slimy. Their skin is dry and cool to the touch usually. Second, snakes that are available for sale at pet stores are not poisonous. Finally, snakes do not seek out humans and try to kill them.

Now that those three things are taken care of, we can really talk benefits here. You only have to feed them once a week. An appropriately sized rodent works fine. Snakes are quiet, so they won’t make your neighbors mad. They only require a small space, such as a large aquarium, depending on their size. If you handle the snake frequently, it will become very comfortable around people. Do exercise caution if there are children. But since pet snakes are not slimy, usually not aggressive, and not poisonous, are quiet, clean, fun, interesting, and easy to care for, why not get you one!