Posted on 05/12/2008 10:37:19 AM PDT by Sub-Driver
Giant Pythons Could Spread Quickly Across South
Monday , May 12, 2008 By Katie Tweed
As if killer bees and kudzu weren't enough, the southern United States may soon have another invasive species to contend with — giant Burmese pythons capable of swallowing deer and alligators whole.
Approximately 30,000 of the big snakes, which can reach 30 feet and 200 pounds, already live wild in Florida's Everglades, thanks to thick-headed pet owners who've released them into the swamps when they've grown too large to keep at home.
But now the U.S. Geological Survey says Florida is not the only place the Burmese python can thrive.
In fact, the big beasts, which are not poisonous and rarely attack humans, could live happily in the entire southern third of the country, from Southern California to Texas and the Lower Mississippi Valley and up the Eastern Seaboard to Chesapeake Bay.
All it would take would be enough pet releases in various locations to create a breeding population.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Bush’s fault.
How do they taste BBQed?
Like chicken, of course.
Has anyone developed a nice Python Recipe? Maybe Iron Chef has one.... it could become a delicacy.
They are wonderful pets...the people who set them free are idiots.
What about Chupracabras and fire ants?
I'll stick to dogs and cats, thank you....{*****shiver*****}
Great.
Helps to have an alternative source of animal protein in preparation for Peak Oil, Peak Gold, Peak Coal, Peak Ancient Sunlight, Peak Uranium, Peak Whatever the hysterics and chickenlittles of the world can think of next.
Hubby for one likes snake. Blech. He says it tastes like ‘gator. Blech Blech.
They make wonderful boots. Put a bounty on them. Open season all the time, day and night.
Allow the free market to take care of it. Just allow all cowboy boot, belt, and wallet makers free access to the critters.
As soon as a good python recipie is created, enviromental wackos will immediately file suit to list the python as an endagered species. Meanwhile, I’ll wonder how it’d taste with some nice extra crispy broasted coating...
Here-comes-your-next-pair-of-boots Ping.
Check out the return of Moster Quest on the History Channel on May 28. I think the chupacabra is featured on the first episode, and all your questions may be answered.
Recipe for Poached Python curry
Python meat may not be available from your local butcher - indeed it is illegal to kill or eat python in some countries - but you can use the same quantity of monkfish or cod, as python is regarded as a terra firma fish.
Ingredients:
Python steak (1kg)
Shallots (4-5, peeled and sliced)
Turmeric powder (1 tablespoon)
Garlic (5-7 cloves, peeled and pounded)
Ginger (2-3 inches long, peeled and pounded)
Lime wedges
Kaffir lime leaves (finely chopped)
Lemon peel/skin
Lemon grass (ten stems, peeled; tender parts finely chopped and pounded)
Paprika (2 teaspoons)
White rice wine (4-5 pegs)
Salt (2 teaspoons)
Peanut oil (2 tablespoons)
Chillies or black pepper seeds (as much as you like, pounded)
Several pints of mountain spring water
Method:
First, boil/poach the steak with lemon peel, rough lemon-grass stems, skins of shallots, garlic and ginger in a couple of pints of spring water. When the flesh is soft, take the steak out and leave it to cool. Separate the bones from the flesh.
Next, fry shallots on low heat until slightly brown and add the ginger, garlic and all other spices. Turn the heat up and keep on stirring for a couple of minutes until a round, toasted aroma arises from the pot. Add flaked and diced python flesh. Add rice wine, a cup of water and salt. Reduce heat and simmer for ten minutes.
Serve this with a plate of piping-hot steamed rice, boiled seasonal jungle greens, wedges of lime and a pot of hot tea, or a glass of cold, crisp Chardonnay if you want to take the dish out of the jungle or the jungle out of the dish.
Secure the Borders!! No more illegal Pythonic immigrants!! \
(I don’t mind the ones who come here legally, and I am not biased against large carnivorous reptiles, but they MUST learn to respect our laws!)
I am not sure but they do make into great boots and belts.
Filet of python, python on a stick, BBQ python, python sausage, python fritters......we in The South have a way with dealing with animals.........
Cool! I have a couple of friends who have pythons. They’re fun for snakes. (which means, they don’t do much but hang out).
Spread the word ... them’s good eatin’, and the skins are valuable for leather accessories. That oughta keep the population down to manageable levels...
well there are breeding populations all over Florida. And Florida, while a market leader, does not have a monopoly on the sorts of cretins who buy huge carnivorous reptiles as pets and then release them when they get sick of taking care of them.
Yep. It’s called “deep frying.”
}:-)4
I have a 7 foot Red Tailed Boa. He is awesome.
i know, Piranhas!!
Sounds tasty!
What about the Chubacabra?
They're a non-native species. They aren't protected.
Ten years ago a client ran over a Burmese python that was over ten feet long near Kossuth, Mississippi. Had a large bump in it which was a cat...That’s the only one I have seen in this area. With all of the deer and turkey hunters we have in the area there is a snowball’s chance a snake that size can get along unnoticed very long without attracting lead.
Well next the Lefties will want them covered under the endangered species act - save the Python!
Beat me to it. Darn!
How can anything that can swallow someone (or an animal) whole be a wonderful pet? That makes my skin crawl. I guess I'm just a wuss when it comes to snakes.
if they are so wonderfull why they letem go
Just one more source for chili makin’s....
No problem as a very large snake is so much easier to hit with a rifle or shotgun than a swarm of bees.
As long as they're not eating trophy bucks, I say go for it.
“Well next the Lefties will want them covered under the endangered species act - save the Python!”
They will have a problem. What about all the nutria (that don’t belong here either and breed like the rats they are)?
The pythons will eat them and then the envirowhackos will have to make a choice. Either snakes or rats.
Their brains will explode.
Oh, please. Captain Hyperbole, where are you!
Some poeple are idiots.
You forgot Monty Python.
(file suit to list the python as an endagered species.)
If i find one, i can assure you it’s endangered.
.....Either snakes or rats......
There will be no Problem by Dims making this decision. They are now totaly engaged in the process and contributing hundreds of millions to make their voices heard.
I throw him a rat and BANG he hits it with such a force....I love my snake.
Personally I would not want one as a pet....
I have to admit because of the now late Steve Irwin my fascination with them grew. A friend of mine had a pet store with pythons and I was able to play with them and a few other snakes.....snakes really are cool but I think I will stick to my dog....
Personally I would not want one as a pet....
I have to admit because of the now late Steve Irwin my fascination with them grew. A friend of mine had a pet store with pythons and I was able to play with them and a few other snakes.....snakes really are cool but I think I will stick to my dog....
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