Prompt action is needed at the federal level to limit the number of invasive pythons released into the wild, South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Deputy Executive Director George Horne said in written testimony to the U.S. Congress today.
The House of Representatives Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security is considering a Bill that would classify nonnative pythons, such as the Burmese python, as "injurious animals" and ban their importation into the United States.
Hypothetical diet necessary for a hatchling Burmese python to reach 13 feet in the Florida Everglades (approximately 5 to 7 years)
1 raccoon
1 oppossum
4 five-foot alligators
5 American coots
6 little blue herons
8 ibises
10 squirrels
15 rabbits
15 wrens
30 cotton rats
72 mice
This illustration and the photos on this page were appended to the SFWMD written testimony handed to Congress today.
(Source: Skip Snow, Everglades National Park & Dr. Stephen Secor, University of Alabama)
"As a top predator and prolific breeder, these exotic snakes threaten state and federal efforts to restore America's Everglades, and they prey on the natural wildlife that call the Everglades home, including species already threatened or endangered," SFWMD's Horne said in the agency's testimony to Congress.
"We have a long history of successful invasive plant management and experience, but only recently have we had to commit more and more resources to the emerging populations of the Burmese python and other nonnative constrictors appearing across our landscape.
"If effective preventative programs were in place to limit introductions of nonnative constrictors, such as the legislation now under consideration, these much-needed taxpayerfunded resources could be redirected to other important resource management efforts.
"Today, however, the negative impacts from the unlimited importation of new pest animals require active responses on our part. Effective prevention of additional introductions of potentially invasive constrictor snakes, as proposed in this Bill, is the only path to prevent these costs from continually increasing."
While Florida, California and Hawaii are among the states most impacted by introduced invasive species, every state is affected, Horne added.
Photo of Burmese python killed in Florida courtesy of SFWMD
"Globally, exotic invasive species, including pest animals, weeds and pathogenic diseases, are a major cause of global biodiversity decline. In particular, nonnative animals compete for food and habitat, upset existing predator/prey relationships, degrade environmental quality, spread diseases and, in our case, may threaten the integrity of flood protection levees and canal banks, and electrical power delivery.
"Nationally, more than 50,000 species of introduced plants, animals and microbes cause more than $120 billion in damages and control costs each year. Already, 192 nonnative animal species are established in Florida, calling for the development of methods to forecast and respond to the potential economic loss, environmental damage and social stress caused by both new nonnative animal introductions and long-established invasive organisms," Horne said.
The Bill before Congress makes an important contribution towards prevention by limiting the importation of two snake species (the Burmese and African pythons) with high invasion potentials in the U.S., Horne said.
"The amendment could also be expanded to include all giant constrictor species determined by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to have medium or high invasion risk potential. The recently published USGS risk assessment for giant constrictors ranked nine species as having either a medium or high overall risk potential for invasion in the United States.
"These species include the Beni Anaconda, boa constrictor, Burmese python, DeSchauensee's anaconda, green anaconda, northern African python, southern African python, reticulated python, and yellow anaconda."
Photo of Burmese python killed in Florida courtesy of SFWMD
"We strongly support inclusion of these species in [the Bill] in order to immediately limit importation of species that our best science predicts will be invasive," Horne added.
"Rather than wait for the next Burmese python to become established in the United States, a proactive approach such as the proposed legislation being discussed today is urgently needed to protect our environment, economy and quality of life--not just in Florida but throughout the nation."
The South Florida Water Management District is deeply committed to preserving and restoring South Florida's environmental health and, unfortunately, the Everglades ecosystem is now home to the invasive Burmese python, Horne said.
Fifty-two eggs were inside a 16-foot Burmese python found in May, 2009 by South Florida Water Management District officials south of the Tamiami Trail in Miami-Dade County, Florida.
Photo courtesy of SFWMD
The snake is a top predator that is known to prey upon more than 20 native Florida species. Notable among these are the federally listed Key Largo wood rat, white-tailed deer, American alligator, bobcat and numerous wading birds common to the Everglades, including the wood stork.
"Attempts to manage Burmese pythons divert taxpayers' funds from these other urgent primary restoration and protection tasks. Yet, failure to do so will leave this aggressive animal as a serious impediment to our Everglades restoration progress," Horne said.
Small livestock likely prey
The Burmese python also threatens agricultural interests as small livestock are also likely prey, Horne added.
Since 2000, the South Florida Water Management District and Everglades National Park have removed 1,248 Burmese pythons from the Everglades.
"Experience already gained in Florida strongly indicates the need to regulate the importation and sale of this snake. Without stronger regulation and control resources, adverse impacts of Burmese pythons will continue to get worse, and the python's population will continue to expand north of the Everglades and likely into South
Florida's urban areas."
Burmese python nest eggs found in Miami-Dade County in Florida
Photo courtesy of SFWMD
Florida's other nonnative giant constrictors
Given South Florida's abrupt boundaries between dense human population centers and vast subtropical wilderness areas, it comes as no surprise that numerous giant constrictor species have been observed in Florida, Horne said.
"While most observed animals are presumed to be released pets, three additional constrictor species are now considered established or potentially established in Florida--the common boa, northern African python and yellow anaconda.
"All three species are identified in the USGS risk assessment as having a high overall risk of establishment in the
United States. The common boa has been repeatedly observed in South Florida, primarily on the Deering Estate in eastern Miami-Dade County, but also near Everglades National Park.
"Between 1989 and 2005, 96 common boas were captured in South Florida.
"Recent confirmed sightings of northern African pythons near the eastern boundary of the Everglades and yellow anacondas near Big Cypress National Preserve and Myakka State Park in southwest Florida are also cause for alarm."
"Recent confirmed sightings of northern African pythons near the eastern boundary of the Everglades and yellow anacondas near Big Cypress National Preserve and Myakka State Park in southwest Florida are also cause for alarm. All three of these species share traits with the Burmese python that are considered important factors for invasive potential, and like the Burmese python all three species will be very costly to control should they become widely established."
Burmese python photo courtesy of South Florida Water Management District
As the South Florida Water Management District and other agencies try to contain the documented damage and growing threat of the Burmese python and other invasive animals in Florida, the flow of potentially harmful exotic animals across U.S. borders continues, Horne said.
"To use just one example, roughly 144,000 boa constrictors were imported into the United States between
2000 and 2007. Federal action is needed now to address the immediate threat posed by giant constrictors which have or are likely to establish in our nation's wilderness areas."
This map from the recently published USGS risk assessment for giant constrictors suggests how much of the United States has a climate suitable (green area) for the establishment of the Burmese python.
Map courtesy of USGS
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Pythons in Florida Everglades: Is the Snake Invasion Only Beginning?
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What Others Had to Say
Added by aceace88 on November 9, 2009
This article is totally one-sided. There is no mention of the House Judiciary Committee testimony of Dr. Elliott Jacobson, DVM or of Andrew Wyatt of the U.S. Association of Reptile Keepers (US ARK).
http://judiciary.house.gov/hearings/hear_091105_1.html
Why is National Geographic being so biased? Do you have something to hide?
Added by SpecialtySerpents on November 9, 2009
This article is obviously biased and one sided.
Anyone who has watched or listened to the Congressional Hearing that took place on Friday November 6th will have noted Dr. Elliot Jacobson's and Andrew Wyatt's testimony from the United States Association of Reptile Keepers (USARK). Why is there no mention of either of them or their testimony in this article? Why is National Geographic not reporting on both sides of the issue? It is quite apparent that National Geographic has an extremely biased position on this issue. Here is a link with a COMPLETE list of witness testimony,
http://judiciary.house.gov/hearings/hear_091105_1.html
Added by dangles on November 9, 2009
Mr. Braun, I strongly urge you to read he research report written by researchers out of the City University of New York last year. It can be found here:
http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0002931
That map you posted is from a USGS report that was extremely biased and incomplete, even wreckless in it's over-exagerations. If the same parameters used to predict the potential expansion of the Burmese pythons ontheir states were used in their native habitat, the area 'suitable' for habitation by them would FAR exceed the actual known range, even expanding as far as Afganistan! That should tell you how faulty the USGS study actually is.
Please read the document I linked to. This blog post you have authored has done nothing but pour gasoline on an already raging fire, needlessly descimating the reptile industry and causing more lost jobs in an already ailing economy.
Added by LevelHead on November 9, 2009
Please use caution and better research when reporting on such issues. Here is a PDF report that refutes much of the USGS report on Burmese Pythons ability to spread into other areas beside extreme South Florida.
Burmese Python can in fact not expand further into the U.S. Many environmental needs must be met for any of these listed Constrictor species to populate the United States. In fact Boa Constrictors exist and have existed just a few miles South (few 100 mls south)in Mexico.These Boa Constrictors have existed in Mexico for thousands of years,yet have not established any populations in the United States. This proves there is no threat of the Pythons or other constrictors spreading across the United States and creating and establishing populations anywhere other than extreme South Florida.This paper I suggest you read , also addresses further issues on the Burmese Python and Everglades issue.
Pdf entitled :
On Burmese Pythons in the Everglades
Questions Posed and Answered on the Issues of Pythons
in South Florida and in Captivity
David G. Barker and Tracy M. Barker
http://vpi.com/sites/vpi.com/files/OnBurmese_Florida_compressed.pdf
Added by David Braun on November 9, 2009
Thanks for your comments. I will certainly read the material on the links you have provided and may well blog separately about further evidence before Congress.
I did indeed blog about the report you mention, "Python Invasion of U.S. Unlikely, New Study Says": http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/news/chiefeditor/2008/08/giant-snake.html
I am not at all biased against responsible ownership of exotic snakes, which would include making sure that they are not released into the wild. However, it is very well documented by many scientists that invasive species, from feral cats and dumped aquarium fish to all kinds of plants that have escaped from gardens, have done a lot of damage to America's unique native species. And that's something we all should be aware of, so as to encourage all of us to be less careless.
Government agencies responsible for protecting native species reporting to Congress that invasives are causing big trouble is something that makes for legitimate debate.
I appreciate you taking the trouble to make your comments and provide links to additional information. That way we can all be better informed about a complex situation.
DB
Added by snakelady on November 9, 2009
I would expect National Geographic to give a fair report of this issue. You've dropped the ball on this one.
That bill would simply kill the reptile industry and put many people (even entire families) out of work.
The United States Association of Reptile Keepers (USARK) has already been working with the state of Florida to remedy the situation in the Everglades. The proposed bill in your article will do NOTHING to remedy the problem. It will simply convert good law-abiding reptile owners and breeders into criminals overnight.
Question: SINCE WHEN have boa constrictors been considered dangerous? Answer: NEVER!
I have 2 boas, myself. I've never had a problem! There are rules for owning and handling large snakes. When those rules are followed, there are NO problems.
USARK promotes proper treatment, handling, and caging of large reptiles.
By the way, please check out the following youtube video before ever donating money to the HSUS. Instead, donate directly to your local humane society (They are NOT related).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTj1T31dOAM
Added by MLynch on November 9, 2009
Why wasn't this an issue 20 years ago? Or even 10 years ago? The answer: because it never was an issue. The reptiles that the USGS seeks to eliminate from the pet trade have been residing in households across the United States for decades and have never established a foot hold in any of the projected ecosystems, with the exception of only a couple of very small pockets. If the scenario put forth by the USGS were at all accurate residents of Washington DC; Richmond, VA; Bethesda, MD, Lawton, OK; Phoenix, AZ; and San Bernardino, CA would already be facing an ecological disaster as a result of these "invasive species." ...yet, oddly they are not.
This report is based more on media spurred paranoia, ignorance, and prejudice than actual scientific fact. ...And at what time did National Geographic stop caring about research? Had NatGeo actually looked at the situation in the Florida Everglades, studied it, as well as studied the 9 snakes the USGS is targeting the USGS report would have been found to be severely flawed.
And something the USGS report fails to address is how eliminating these snakes from the pet trade will have any benefit to the situation in the Everglades. Why? Because it won't. The problems faced in the Everglades will remain. The USGS has also stated that these snakes are moving north at a rate of about 1.5 miles a day. Really? Well if that's true then eliminating these snakes from the pet trade will do nothing to stop this northerly migration. However, I'd like to point out that if these snakes were moving north at such a rate we would have seen them well north of the Everglades long ago... and yet we haven't. So how is banning the 9 large constrictors an environmental issue? It's not because it will have no impact, what so ever, on any environmental issue we may be facing in southern Florida.
I'd also like to point out how much the USGS report resembles the so-called "studies" of Africanized Honey Bees back in the 1970's. They were also media fueled paranoia. We were told that these bees posed a serious risk to the environment and personal well being given their aggressive nature. We were also told that they were heading north and making headway every year and that by the early 1980's they'd be as far north as New York City... I live in Northern New Jersey, and I'm still waiting for the "Killer Bees" to arrive. Could it be that these "reports" were false and filled with little clinical study?
If reports are going to be made about the issue of non-native species thriving in the Florida Everglades then let's focus on facts and actual studies of the animals present in the Everglades, and how to address the issues. Instead of making sweeping theories based on paranoia and ignorance.
- Mike Lynch
Added by aceace88 on November 10, 2009
I would like to echo the simple solution, proposed by David G. Barker and Tracy M. Barker, to the entire exotic species problem in Florida:
"Is there any action that might prevent still more species of plants and animals from establishing in South
Florida?
Yes, there is one very practical solution.
Miami is the primary American port of entry for imported plants and animals, especially tropical plants and animals. Because of this, Miami is full of and surrounded by wholesalers and distributors of exotic plants and animals. At any given time, an inventory of exotic plants and animals with a cumulative value in the hundreds of millions of dollars can be found in Miami. Florida has made a lot of money from the importation business. Every shipment, every box, is stamped and cleared by USFWS, Customs, and for some cargo, even USDA.
Some plants and animals come into the port and are nearly immediately shipped on to other destinations in the United States. Others, including exotic trees, fruits, palms, cycads, vegetables, ornamental shrubberies, exotic grasses, reptiles, mammals, birds, and tropical fish are maintained in South Florida for commercial propagation, agriculture, and captive breeding. Miami is seething with exotic species.
The problem is that South Florida has the most tropical climate in the continental United States. Many species of escaped plants and animals thrive outside the nurseries and cages of the distributors and wholesalers. Released
and breeding in South Florida are literally thousands of species that can survive nowhere else in the United States. And it’s all because Miami is the port of entry.
The solution is to remove the status of the Port of Miami as an agricultural port and a port of entry. Move the port
of entry north, maybe to one of the New England ports.
If Senator Nelson really believes that exotic species are a terrible problem and if he wants to remove the chance of
future introduction of snakes or any other exotic species into his beloved Everglades, then his choice is clear. As
the Senator from Florida, he needs to spearhead a political movement to stop the importation of more exotic plants
and animals into the Port of Miami. For the sake of nature and on behalf of the environmentalists, he needs to move this lucrative business out of his state to a place where the chance of alien invasion is minimized.
It isn’t going to happen. It would cost Miami and Florida too much money and too many jobs. But is it a better strategy to attack the rights of hundreds of thousands of American snake owners, destroy thousands of successful American small businesses, and give millions of tax dollars to the invasive-snake biologists?"
Source:
http://vpi.com/sites/vpi.com/files/OnBurmese_Florida_compressed.pdf
Does National Geographic dare to print this simple solution?
Added by Daniel on November 10, 2009
This USGS climate map that shows how the burmese python and other tropical species might invade the USA is extremely faulty as it is only a climate map. To use this as the sole criteria for an invasion of large constrictors is about as logical as using the same map for an invasion of penguins coming from the north. Or heaven forbid the invasion of the canadian polar bears looking for new prey items.
Yes indeed when you use professional scientists who are experts in geology to do a report on herpertology no doubt they might get some conclusions incorrect.
How would banning the further import of these reptiles do anything at all for the already existing problem of invasive species in the Florida everglades. Take into consideration the entire problem started from hurricane Andrew 20 + years ago releasrsing the originating founding burmese pythons into the everglades not pet owners.
How would restricting trade in large constrictors thousands of miles away from the everglades do anything for a problem in the everglades as HR 2811 would do .
If you owned any of these species and was transferred from your current employment to another state you by this regulation could not move the species listed what then?? There are millions of these species being bred and exported to other parts of the world from the USA that would come to a stop with this law. Another big blow to the shipping companies in a poor economy.
Added by dangles on November 10, 2009
I thank you, Mr. Braun for taking our comments into consideration, but what upsets me so much - even more so, now that I know you had good information all along (the blog entry you linked to) - is that, even in light of that more accurate and fair report, you still write as if this 'invasion' is an imminent event, and that congress should act accordingly with (in this case) sweeping legislation to ban the 'big 9.'
I am not here to tell you the burmese python is not a problem in the Everglades; that has been well documented. I AM here to tell you that it is NOT something the rest of the nation needs to suffer for.
I am ALSO here to tell you that this is not the result of irresponsible keepers releasing their pets into wild. The article posted by Levelhead does a much better job at explaining that than I could, so I will defer to it.
It's articles such as this that give further credibility to the faulty and biased reports thrust in the public's face by the USGS. Now people can say, "look, even NatGeo says we need to do this."
I hope I am not coming off as rude or overly harsh, but the future of my hobby and the careers of many people I know are in SERIOUS jeopardy as a result of the (seriously) flawed USGS reports, and as you are aware - based on the other report you wrote about in August of last year - that does not have to be so.
If more people in positions such as yourself stood up and said, "wait a minute, folks, the information you're using to justify this legislation is flawed. Let's take a closer look at this before we decimate an entire industry," we may not be in the precarious position we now find ourselves in.
So I urge you to take a closer look at the evidence we have presented you. With he help of National Geographic, we may actually be able to begin a true, balanced dialogue that would help bring about a better solution to Florida's situation than a nationwide ban.
I thank you again for engaging us in this conversation, Mr. Braun.
-Chris
Added by David Braun on November 10, 2009
Your comments are valuable additions to the debate. I have reviewed the evidence of Mr. Wyatt to the Congress and posted a report at http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/news/chiefeditor/2009/11/reptile-owners-on-invasive-snakes-issue.html