Tastes Just Like Chicken

I have heard that saying "Sometimes you eat the bear, sometimes the bear eats you". I guess this is one such situation. A helicopter pilot and wild life researcher found a 13 foot python in the Florida Everglades that had apprarently burst after trying to swallow a 6 foot Alligator whole. That by itself gives a whole new meaning to indigestion. The thing I found interesting is that this is the 4th such documented incident in the past 3 years.

Scientists feel that that because the python is a top of the line predator and not a naturally found species in the Everglades that this could threaten the eco system of the Everglades. If pythons were to start consuming other wild life such as other smaller reptiles , squirrels, woodstorks, sparrows etc. That could and would throw things out of balance over time.

I would not have thought that pythons would have been significant in numbers to pose a problem to other life in the swamp...But according to what I have read, researchers have stated that over the years many pythons have been abandoned by their owners in the Everglades. While it is unknown the exact number that are in the Everglades competing with alligators, at least 150 have been caught over the last two years.

The researchers also state that a python 10-20 feet large could also pose a serious threat to a human, especially a child. Although they say its not an imminent threat and not time to worry about this yet.

YET? Ok speaking as a Native of the state where this is going on...I would like to ask when is the time to worry? Its not unusual to hear a story about some local person finding one of these snakes under someone's house or behind a store in a local neighborhood. So they can apparently adapt and live any where. If they fit into the Everglades eco system and were able to be controlled by a natural predator such as the alligator...Then I wouldn't be so concerned. But the fact that alligators don't always have the upper hand with these guys bothers me a little.

Yes I know, you hear about alligators being to closely connected to people too. That is our fault though. If we feed them and they become less afraid of humans as a result.. Then who do we have to blame when they start seeing our family pet Sparky....Or possibly the occasional golfer.. as a possible snack food. But.....At least this is a predator that is native to this state and the area it in habits. If handled properly it can and has been able to be controlled. Its presence isn't a threat to other species that inhabit the same area.

I guess it just concerns me when we introduce a plant or animal species that is not natural to this continent and then find out after the fact that "OOPS' probably shouldn't have done that. We have many such examples of that all through this country. Kudzoo vines in Georgia...That fish on the West Coast..Cant think of its name..Just to name a few.

At least with the alligator...They can be a food source. In fact they are quite tasty, just like chicken..YUMMMMMMM!