[clouds z]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl.../MNABV5PP3.DTL

In addition to everything else to worry about, now comes the Burmese python.

The giant snakes are slithering from Florida toward the Bay Area, very slowly to be sure, but inexorably. And they can strangle and eat an entire alligator.

The U.S. Geological Survey released a map Wednesday showing that the Bay Area has comfortable climatic conditions for the python. It also said the reptile, which prefers to swallow its prey in one gulp, is "highly adaptable to new environments" and cannot be stopped.

The snakes weigh up to 250 pounds and slither at a rate of 20 miles per month, according to USGS zoologist Gordon Rodda. They are not staying put. In fact, one of them has already slithered about 100 miles toward San Francisco.

"We have not yet identified something that would stop their spreading to the Bay Area," Rodda said.

If pet pythons were introduced into the wild in California by irresponsible pet owners, as happened in Florida, they could become established here even faster, without need of a cross-country journey.

The Burmese python is one of several nonnative giant constrictor snakes - believed to be former pets - that have been introduced and then established themselves in Florida's Everglades National Park. Biologists estimate 30,000 nonnative giant snakes live in the Everglades, perhaps more. Some have begun appearing in areas outside the park, alarming biologists and also people who don't care for snakes.

The snake that managed to

holy cow!!!

[KarenMarie]

Think I'll stay in cold snowy Maine !!!

[Kitty]

Florida to CA??? Are you kidding me?? If one even survived the cross country navigation it would be at least 12 years before they showed up. Enough time for Ca to get ready I would think.

I do believe that we as a country and CA as a state have bigger things (no pun intended) to worry about in the meantime......

[Annelee]

Holy forked tounge, Batman!

Are they could eats?

Maybe restaurants looking for something extotic to serve should investigate

[Kitty]

Originally Posted by Annelee

Holy forked tounge, Batman!

[SandyC]

Ummm, no offence but can't we just kill them? They do this in the south when animals are over populating, like deer.

[Kitty]

Originally Posted by SandyC

Ummm, no offence but can't we just kill them? They do this in the south when animals are over populating, like deer.

I guess you could, Sandy, but down here in the South deer hunting season is almost like a national holiday! The guys get all dressed up in their "huntin' gear best" and they even have a special seat they sit in all day way up in a tree. I'll never understand it - I could never be quiet that long. Turkey hunting season is almost as coveted. You don't get to sit in a tree for turkey hunting, though.

I'd starve if my food supply relied upon me hunting. I could never kill anything - even a snake I don't think. On second thought, since I cannot run any longer (due to MS) I might have to kill a snake - that is if the heart attack I had from actually being that close to one didn't take me out first!

[NurseNancy]

that horrible.
i hate snakes.
and, can't they have babies without benefit of the opposite sex???

ewwwww!