The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission encourages the general public to kill Burmese pythons. So naturally, when Kymberly Strempack Clark posted this video of a 15-foot-long chunker of a python sliding into the grass on the facet of a two-lane street, she was met with accusatory feedback about letting it get away.
Clark writes that she and her good friend pinned the situation and reported the snake to officers. But some viewers have been irritated that she didn’t run the python over along with her automobile. One commenter wrote:
Did you kill it?…If you’re keen on the Everglades, you must. (assuming you may have a device to take action. I suppose a automotive would work)
But in Florida, even nonnative reptiles are protected by anti-cruelty legal guidelines. Intentionally working it over might need left the python wounded and will have prompted an animal cruelty cost. FWC additionally solely encourages residents to kill pythons on non-public property and FWC-commissioned land. Generally, killing animals in a nationwide park is difficult, if not outright unlawful.
The FWC web site has suggestions for tips on how to humanely kill invasive Burmese pythons. The first step is to make use of a weapon that “result[s] in the animal losing consciousness immediately.” The second step is to “destroy the animal’s brain by ‘pithing’ which prevents the animal from regaining consciousness.” In extra particular phrases, the FWC recommends capturing or beautiful the python within the head after which stirring its mind to a pulp with a screwdriver. (If you suppose I’m kidding, simply have a look at these diagrams.)
The state company touts these zombie warfare techniques for a purpose: snakes will be troublesome to kill. Decapitation is discouraged as a result of their heads can keep alive for fairly a while after being severed from their our bodies. For toxic snakes, that may imply a lethal chunk while you aren’t anticipating one. For nonpoisonous ones, it may possibly imply an pointless struggling that the majority conservation-minded of us attempt to keep away from. Burmese pythons are nonvenomous constrictors. These monster invasive snakes can develop as much as 18 ft lengthy, and prey on deer, alligators, pets, and even the occasional human.
The FWC began the Florida Python Challenge in 2013 as a technique to rally help and consciousness across the points invasive reptiles pose to the Everglades ecosystem. Since then, tons of of hunters kill as many pythons as they will discover over a 10-day interval in August. The Challenge requires that hunters use the state’s really useful humane techniques and hunters should go a web based coaching earlier than being eligible to take part.
In different phrases, it’s a a lot greater deal to kill a 15-foot-long snake than among the commenters on Clark’s put up make it out to be. Instead of making an attempt to run it over, she reported the siting and GPS location to authorities.
“No, Siri,” she joked within the caption. “We don’t want to proceed to the route!”