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Certainly the Pythons are wrecking havoc on Florida's natural ecological balance, but generally Pythons are not a direct danger to humans. Yes, there are excep

Certainly the Pythons are wrecking havoc on Florida's natural ecological balance, but generally Pythons are not a direct danger to humans. Yes, there are exceptions to the rule, like the story of the 2 year old in the article, but that was added because it fit the tone of the article. The fact is Florida's indigenous snake population is more dangerous to humans by orders of magnitude; including, Coral Snakes, water moccasins/cottonmouths, and various rattle snakes. Also, wanted to add that it was good the article mentioned other invasive species, but in particular lion fish happen to be another that is devastating South Florida. Its really a shame because both the python and lion fish problems are a result of lazy and ignorant people releasing their pets. Sadly, there isn't a good solution to either problem, bounty programs and public policy (with lots of funding) have not helped. Perhaps one day a big enough freeze will come to South Florida as the article mentions, its not entirely uncommon for a cold front to hit South Florida and to see Cuban Anoles (another invasive species) start falling out of trees in a hypothermic state, but they normally snap out of it in a few days. I wish more was discussed about the exact temperatures and effects they might have on the Pythons.

sukilot 12y ago
Putting a bounty on pests is the textbook example of of perverse incenives that encourages people to make the problem worse.
- will_brown 12y ago
  Certainly a bounty program could make problems worse, in the sense of potential, but there is zero evidence of that in the Python/Everglades situation. For starters everything is public record, there were about 1,600 licensed registrants and they killed less than <100 snakes. At the time it probably worked out to less than $1/participant, in response the Florida Wildlife Commission has removed the bounty and instead permits the selling of the skin and meat. Odds are the this article itself produces more revenue than hunting the Pythons, but again I don't think anyone would say ad revenue from these stories incentives the media to make the problem worse.

sukilot 12y ago

Putting a bounty on pests is the textbook example of of perverse incenives that encourages people to make the problem worse.

will_brown 12y ago
Certainly a bounty program could make problems worse, in the sense of potential, but there is zero evidence of that in the Python/Everglades situation. For starters everything is public record, there were about 1,600 licensed registrants and they killed less than <100 snakes. At the time it probably worked out to less than $1/participant, in response the Florida Wildlife Commission has removed the bounty and instead permits the selling of the skin and meat. Odds are the this article itself produces more revenue than hunting the Pythons, but again I don't think anyone would say ad revenue from these stories incentives the media to make the problem worse.