Money Python: Florida Contest Offers Rewards In 2013 Everglades Python Hunt

Press2ToContinue writes "Dubbed the Python Challenge, the month-long contest will award $1,000 for the longest python and $1,500 for the most pythons caught between Jan. 12 and Feb. 10 in any of four hunting areas north of Everglades National Park and at the Big Cypress National Preserve. Pythons have been spreading through the Everglades for years, posing a threat to the sensitive ecosystem by preying on native species. Some estimates put their number in the tens of thousands. Last year, 272 pythons were removed from the wild, state figures show."

Comments

Cobra effect

[andy1307]

Florida should read about the Cobra effect.

Pythons are so incredibly awesome.

[mirix]

They're sort of... living legends... An alpha release snake.

Later species are much more streamlined, and have dropped some of their dual organs to make room. (Newer snakes only have one lung, for example. well - they usually have a second joke-sized vestigial lung as well). Fat snakes like pythons and boas have two, still.

Another neat thing about pythons is they have little.. claw like things, near their exhaust pipe. Remnants of their hind legs. :)
Reptiles lost in time...

I understand why they have to go in Florida (which seems hopeless at this point, anyhow), though.
The first time I saw a Burmese Python (like those in Florida) in person I was just amazed at the size of the thing... A snake that weighs more than me.

Next up: lion fish!

[Chewbacon]

They're invading our waters, more importantly reef habitats. The bigger fish haven't recognized them as prey yet as they gobble up all the smaller fish. My local dive shop is paying $5 a head for them and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation has issued an open season for them, no fishing license required. Good eatin from what I've heard. Tastes like hogfish, just use a paralyzer tip and cut the spines off without poking yourself.