Burmese pythons have been ravaging Florida’s ecosystem for a
while. Since the introduction of the month long “Python Challenge” almost 800
people have signed up. The hunt began Saturday in the Everglades of Florida.
Cash prizes are to be offered to whoever catches the longest python and to
whoever catches the most pythons by the competitions end on February 10. Before
the hunt began, there were last minute training sessions in snake handling. The
hardest thing for the hunters would not be to scare the snakes but actually
spot the snakes. Knifes and pistols are
needed in case the hunters cross a python which can grow to more than twenty
feet in length. In many ways, the pythons have become something like zombies in
the Everglades. They have no natural predators, reproduce in large numbers, and
eat anything in their way. Most importantly, they do not belong in the
Everglades. For the time being, Florida prohibits the possession or sale of
pythons for pets. Since 2000, about 2,050 pythons have been harvested and it is
unknown how many more are still in the wetlands. Officials hope the competition
will get rid of the python problem and more importantly bring awareness about
the risks of introducing foreign species that pose a threat to Florida’s
wildlife.
The author, Jennifer Kay, uses this article to inform people of
the hunts in Florida for pythons. This article would be of interest to people
living in the area and dealing with the pesky pythons. It also serves to show what
happens in ecosystems when a news species is introduced. Kay uses lots of quotes
from hunters and the people in charge of the hunt. She also uses the cultural phenomenon
of zombies to show the threat of pythons on the ecosystem.
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