Have you ever heard of a group of cold-blooded killers running rampant in the United States? No, I'm not talking about gangsters or serial killers, but a bunch of creepy pythons!
These outsiders are not good at stubble. They are huge, reaching a staggering 5 meters in length, which is longer than a small car! What's even worse is that these big guys have super reproductive ability and full of predatory skills, and they are simply the snake kings of Florida! Even the Americans, who are usually not very interested in Asian carp and wild boars, were forced into a corner this time, and actually began to call on the people to eat snakes! It seems that this time I was really by these slippery guys.
Imagine that you are taking a leisurely walk in the swamps of Florida and suddenly a large python taller than you pops up in front of you. Residents say that the small animals that used to be common are now gone, replaced by the ubiquitous snake shadows. Where is this park, it's a snake's nest!
Some netizens complained: I used to walk my dog, but now I walk a snake? I can't live this day! Another netizen said: I just caught a 3-meter-long one in my backyard yesterday, and another one came today, is this to use my house as a snake's nest?
Don't think that these big pythons are just scary. They're not poisonous, but they're big enough and powerful enough to make any creature scare. According to reports, a professional snake catcher once caught a giant python that was 5.48 meters long and weighed 136 pounds, breaking the local snake catching record. Imagine that if this snake stood up, it would be able to sweep you away for lunch!
Capturing this big guy is no easy task. It is said that it took a lot of effort at the time, but in the end, it was too big to be swept away with a tent bag. It's like carrying a giant meat roll!
One might ask: didn't there be a python in the United States in the first place? Why are they said to be invasive species?
In fact, these big guys were originally indigenous to Southeast Asia. They can easily grow up to about 5 meters, and in a nutrient-rich environment, they can even grow to 7-8 meters! It can be said that it is a giant in the snake world.
So how did they get to the United States? Don't laugh, it's probably because some people treat them like pets. Imagine that one day you buy a cute little snake and go home, and it doesn't take long for it to grow into a giant python that can swallow you whole, isn't it exciting?
As a result, some unscrupulous owners released these cuties. As everyone knows, this release will cause big trouble! These pythons are thriving in Florida and are starting to multiply like crazy. They even had a snake love affair with a local Indian python, giving birth to mixed-race offspring that are more adapted to the local environment. This is simply a powerful combination of the snake world!
In the face of this group of uninvited guests, the Americans did everything they could. Not only did they organize a professional snake catching team, but they also held a python catching competition. The prize money is huge, with $100 for catching a 1.2-metre piece and $50 for every 30 centimeters overcome. If you're lucky enough to catch a pregnant female snake, you'll get an additional $120 per egg! This is simply a snake catching + scratching lottery ticket two-in-one!
There's a buddy named Crumb who makes a fortune. He caught a 5.1-meter-long python with 73 snake eggs in its belly! I made tens of thousands of dollars in one fell swoop, tsk, this job is too fast, right?
But don't think it's easy. Imagine you're trudging through a muddy swamp, surrounded by pythons that can treat you as a snack and become their meal if you're not careful. This is a snake catcher, it's just playing with life!
What's even more ridiculous is that in order to deal with these big pythons, the Americans actually came up with a strange trick to control the snake by eating. They have developed a variety of creative dishes such as snake pizza and snake burgers. Some netizens jokingly said: Is this to eat the python to extinction? Another netizen said: I'd rather be a vegetarian than try this 'snake delicacy'!
However, this method has also run into trouble. Some environmental chemists have found that the heavy metal content in the body of these pythons is seriously exceeded, and it is not suitable for consumption at all. This is good, I was thinking of using food to control snakes, but I didn't expect to almost poison myself!
In the face of this group of snakes, the Americans have a headache. Not only are these giant pythons super reproductive, but they also have amazing appetites. According to statistics, since their invasion, the local raccoon and possum population has dropped by more than 90%, and the rabbit has almost disappeared. This is nothing short of an ecological disaster!
What's even more worrying is that these snake tyrants seem to have begun to expand into other states. Some scholars warn that if it is not controlled in time, the US ecosystem could suffer a devastating blow. Imagine if you don't meet a bear or a snake when you go out in the future, how will you live this day?
On the mainland, the wild Burmese python has been listed as an endangered species and belongs to the national second-class protected animals. There is no one in this contrast, on the one hand, it is flooded, and on the other hand, it is endangered, and it is really not easy for a snake to be born!
After reading this article, are you also shocked by these snake tyrants? How do you think Americans should respond to this snake plague? Feel free to leave a message in the comment section and share your ideas. If you find it interesting, don't forget to like it! We'll see you next time when we have more to offer!