Reader Responses

As if global warming, declining dollar values and corporate greed were not enough, now we have to be concerned with huge non-native Burmese pythons that seem to have taken over Florida within a short time span and are devouring everything incapable of eating them. And since these gluttonous giants can grow to lengths exceeding 20 feet and weights over 200 pounds, they really don’t have much in Florida to fret.

Since it has been estimated that these pythons have grown to dominate the local food chain in less than a score of years, it’s only a matter of time (and a short time at that) before they head west and similar pastures. Personally, I don’t even care for their much-smaller cousins that presently slither across East Texas; however, the thought of confronting one of these monsters while enjoying a walk in the Piney Woods disturbs me. I can possibly tolerate alligators; but something that can drop out of a tree, wrap around and smother me, forget it! Of course, being dead, I won’t have to worry about the digestive process. That’s enough to gross one out.

Confronting and tackling this phenomenon must be an immediate priority of both the Florida and national governments. One has only to observe the situation as it is unfolding in Florida to see the danger. Every day that passes increases the pythons’ foothold in America as well as their ability to withstand eradication.

David C. Porter
Jacksonville

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