# Giant Burmese pythons breeding in Florida swamps and battling alligators! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 13, 2004, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-burmese-pythons-breeding-in-florida-swamps-and-battling-alligators/245006 "2004-05-13T20:22:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2004, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-burmese-pythons-breeding-in-florida-swamps-and-battling-alligators/245006/1 "2004-05-13T20:22:44Z")
It’s true! [Abandoned Burmese pythons endangering Everglades!](http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-cbigsnake13may13,0,5372036.story) > [@](#): > > Twice in the past two years, visitors at popular boardwalks have watched as pythons battled alligators. Each time the alligator won and carried off the python in its mouth. Rangers have learned to watch for the huge snakes, and when they find one they dispatch it with a pistol shot to the head. The park has set up a python hotline for visitors to report sightings ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2004, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-burmese-pythons-breeding-in-florida-swamps-and-battling-alligators/245006/2 "2004-05-13T20:41:00Z")
Great, now I have to get a pet 'gator to protect me from the pythons. My friend’s pomeranian that I take care of frequently better start lifting weights or something… ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2004, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-burmese-pythons-breeding-in-florida-swamps-and-battling-alligators/245006/3 "2004-05-13T21:19:40Z")
People think [Carl Hiaasen](http://www.carlhiaasen.com/) writes novels. He doesn’t. They are true stories. ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2004, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-burmese-pythons-breeding-in-florida-swamps-and-battling-alligators/245006/4 "2004-05-13T22:10:51Z")
Cmon… _pythons_??? We got us a [snakehead](http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/art2002/snakeheadgiant22inhead.jpg)! ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2004, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-burmese-pythons-breeding-in-florida-swamps-and-battling-alligators/245006/5 "2004-05-13T22:32:26Z")
Awww…the poor Burmie-worms. I used to raise one…they’re adorable little guys…very huggy and affectionate. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2004, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-burmese-pythons-breeding-in-florida-swamps-and-battling-alligators/245006/6 "2004-05-13T22:34:58Z")
[Giant Snake](http://www.parlorcity.com/awinterrowd/kaiju/gallery/manda.jpg) VS [Alligator](http://www.parlorcity.com/awinterrowd/kaiju/gallery/angurus.jpg) . You know, you could make a _movie_ …nah. ---
**Author:** ![screech-owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@screech-owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/screech-owl)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2004, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-burmese-pythons-breeding-in-florida-swamps-and-battling-alligators/245006/7 "2004-05-14T00:44:58Z")
Hell, we have abandoned ostriches and emus running around central Florida (let loose after the bottom fell out of the ostrich & emu meat farming market in the 90s), what’s a few snakes in the Everglades? (No, really. I absolutely despise #\*&@ing idiots who dump unwanted animals. Anywhere. Especially when it screws up the local ecosystem.) :mad: ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2004, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-burmese-pythons-breeding-in-florida-swamps-and-battling-alligators/245006/8 "2004-05-14T01:40:15Z")
> [@Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor](#): > > [Giant Snake](http://www.parlorcity.com/awinterrowd/kaiju/gallery/manda.jpg) VS [Alligator](http://www.parlorcity.com/awinterrowd/kaiju/gallery/angurus.jpg) . > > You know, you could make a _movie_ …nah. Or a VIDEO GAME! That snake scene reminds me SO much of GTA3! ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2004, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-burmese-pythons-breeding-in-florida-swamps-and-battling-alligators/245006/9 "2004-05-14T01:59:47Z")
Giant Burmese pythons? One word… BURMA! ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2004, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-burmese-pythons-breeding-in-florida-swamps-and-battling-alligators/245006/10 "2004-05-14T03:24:11Z")
A python large grabbed a gator. Now out of sight and underwater. Burma Snake ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2004, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-burmese-pythons-breeding-in-florida-swamps-and-battling-alligators/245006/11 "2004-05-14T04:23:11Z")
A park ranger at the Everglades headquarters used to swear there were at least two anacondas loose in the Glades. Gave me bad dreams. ---
**Author:** ![Etherman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/958977/32.png) [@Etherman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Etherman)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2004, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-burmese-pythons-breeding-in-florida-swamps-and-battling-alligators/245006/12 "2004-05-14T04:31:29Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > A python large > > grabbed a gator. > > Now out of sight > > and underwater. > > Burma Snake Inside of snake, it’s very dark. But new species thrives, in sunlit park burma snake ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2004, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-burmese-pythons-breeding-in-florida-swamps-and-battling-alligators/245006/13 "2004-05-14T05:59:35Z")
If through the swamp you choose to walk beware the snake that will you stalk– Burma-Snake. * * * Off the path the herp had trick’d her she failed to note t’was a constrictor. Burma-Snake! * * * Against a gator they fall prey but if you’re human stay out of their way. Burma-Snake! ---
**Author:** ![lachesis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@lachesis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lachesis)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2004, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-burmese-pythons-breeding-in-florida-swamps-and-battling-alligators/245006/14 "2004-05-14T18:17:17Z")
i predict this thread will stretch out into seeming eternity… It’s bad enough To be et up by bugs But now we’re stalked By snakes big as rugs Burma-Snake! The native wildlife Is a natural wonder Don’t let the imports Pull you under Burma-Snake! ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Pastrami](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/96bed5/32.png) [@Captain\_Pastrami](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Pastrami)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2004, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-burmese-pythons-breeding-in-florida-swamps-and-battling-alligators/245006/15 "2004-05-15T01:24:26Z")
> [@astro](#): > > It’s true! > > [Abandoned Burmese pythons endangering Everglades!](http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-cbigsnake13may13,0,5372036.story) I think the title for your link is quite disengenuous, and the quote you provide even refutes your title link. ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2004, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-burmese-pythons-breeding-in-florida-swamps-and-battling-alligators/245006/16 "2004-05-15T02:15:55Z")
Eco-disaster This does bode – Alligator Alley is Now Burma Road. Burma Snake If the python Does lay eggs, This thread just may Develop legs – Burma Snake ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2004, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-burmese-pythons-breeding-in-florida-swamps-and-battling-alligators/245006/17 "2004-05-15T02:47:52Z")
> [@Captain Pastrami](#): > > I think the title for your link is quite disengenuous, and the quote you provide even refutes your title link. Your statement puzzles me. The title of the link is _exactly_ the same as title of the linked article. ie > [@](#): > > Abandoned Burmese pythons endangering Everglades > > By David Fleshler > Staff Writer > Posted May 13 2004 The article goes on at length as to why imported species, including pythons, are considered a danger to the native ecosystem. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-burmese-pythons-breeding-in-florida-swamps-and-battling-alligators/245006/18 "2004-05-16T05:25:32Z")
> [@Suburban Plankton](#): > > BURMA! Ok, ok…I’ll give you the set-up for this one… Why did you say “Burma”? ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Serpentine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3be4f8/32.png) [@Silver\_Serpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Serpentine)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-burmese-pythons-breeding-in-florida-swamps-and-battling-alligators/245006/19 "2004-05-16T07:36:11Z")
I hate, no loathe, people who dump unwanted reptiles. I’ve seen a good amount of it, and I heard about this about a year ago. Instead of these asshats finding someone else to take it, or finding a reptile rescue in the area (NOT hard to do), they dump it into the wild. This just results in anti-snake legislation. I’ve seen it happen enough times to want to find these folks and hit them with something. :mad: Grrr. If I don’t stop, I’ll start rambling on, so I’ll stop now. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-burmese-pythons-breeding-in-florida-swamps-and-battling-alligators/245006/20 "2004-05-16T20:43:01Z")
> [@Hal Briston](#): > > Ok, ok…I’ll give you the set-up for this one… > > Why did you say “Burma”? Burmese Python = Burma Snake = Burma Shave \> see [history of Burma Shave](http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles/waterman37.html) > [@](#): > > SHE EYED / HIS BEARD > AND SAID NO DICE > THE WEDDING’S OFF > I’LL COOK THE RICE > BURMA SHAVE > > or > > A CHIN / WHERE BARBED WIRE > BRISTLES STAND > IS BOUND TO BE > A NO MA’AMS LAND > BURMA SHAVE > > Another good example is > > USE THIS CREAM / A DAY / OR TWO > THEN DON’T CALL HER > SHE’LL CALL YOU > BURMA SHAVE > > Not overlooking the spending power of women, the company put up rhymes to lure them to purchase Burma Shave for the men in their lives: > > A CHRISTMAS HUG > A BIRTHDAY KISS > AWAITS / THE WOMAN > WHO GIVES THIS > BURMA SHAVE > > Others slogans suggested that there was no better product or substitute for Burma-Shave: > > SUBSTITUTES / ARE LIKE A GIRDLE > THEY FIND SOME JOBS > THEY JUST / CAN’T HURDLE > BURMA SHAVE [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-burmese-pythons-breeding-in-florida-swamps-and-battling-alligators/245006.md?page=2)