Pythons In Naples Found In Frightening 500 Pound Pile
To me, there isn’t anything much scarier than snakes, and pythons in Naples were found in a frightening 500 pound pile.
Living in Florida, the chances of seeing snakes are high. Thankfully at my home in Fort Myers I haven’t seen any, though there have been reports from my neighbors about some large black racers living in my bushes. As long as I don’t have to see them, I’ll just tell myself they’re not there. But while those snakes are relatively harmless, there are some others that you don’t want around. Pythons. There were stories in the fall about residents in Cape Coral seeing them in their own backyards. I would FREAK. More for my dog than for me, but let’s face it, if I saw a python, I’m sure I’d end up in the ER with a cardiac event.
And I know I’m not the only one who doesn’t care for these creatures. A friend of mine calls them “nope ropes”, “poison slinkies” and “death noodles”.
Pythons In Naples Found In Frightening 500 Pound Pile
According to the Miami Herald, trackers were out last month looking for snakes. It’s breeding season, and of course Burmese pythons are an invasive species, so it’s important to eradicate them before eggs can hatch. When females lay eggs, there can be as many as 100. What the trackers stumbled upon was, I’m sure, more than even they bargained for. On public land in Naples, they discovered a pile of snakes totaling 500 pounds. There were 11 pythons founds in a 7-foot wide pile.
As much as I don’t like snakes, there was great show on Discovery called Guardians of the Glades featuring local snake hunter Dusty Crum. While there’s many hunters out there trying to save our Florida wildlife, there’s a great organization doing that too. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida since 2013 has removed more than 34,000 pounds of python. Now, they can add 500 more pounds worth of pythons in Naples to that total. Bravo!
These Are The 9 Most Dangerous Animals Lurking In The Florida Everglades
American Alligator
The American alligator can be seen in massive numbers. You’ll see at least 5-10 sunbathing on any given day, as you drive across Alligator Alley.
American Alligator in Everglades National Park
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
This snake is the one most venomous snakes in the state, and actually in the world. It is also known as the largest rattlesnake.
Eastern diamondback rattlesnake from Big Cypress National Preserve (adjacent to Everglades National Park), Florida
Florida Panther
The Florida Panther is a beautiful creature and is on the endangered species list. As you’ll see below, they stalk. These creatures are not seen too often.
Stalking behavior of Florida Panther in Florida. Lurking in bushes.
Brown Recluse Spider
A brown recluse spider is most common in warmer climates. It is one of the most poisonous spiders in the Everglades.
A macro shot of a Brown recluse spider
American Crocodile
Yes, crocodile. American crocodiles are found in Florida. It’s not an alligator.
American Crocodile swimming in water in South Florida, near Everglades National Park
Florida Black Bear
We see these furry guys walking around neighborhoods in Estero quite often. With new construction, they’re forced out of their habitats. But, they are not safe to approach. They will defend themselves.
Florida Black Bear in suburban neighborhood
Florida Cottonmouth
The cottonmouth can be confused with other water snakes. Take extreme caution. These snakes are venomous with a mortality rate of 17%.
Florida Cottonmouth or water moccasin snake, close up in the Everglades
Burmese Python
These snakes are commonly seen being hunted. Reason is, they’re becoming an extremely invasive species across the state. They are constrictors and are non venomous.
Burmese python or Python bivittatus snake swims in the water in a marsh in the Florida Everglades.
Alligator Snapping Turtle
Let’s just say this one looks the scariest to me! I never thought I would be scared of a turtle. They are much more aggressive on land than they are in the water.
Alligator snapping turtle.
pythons in Naples
