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Halei Jarrell
Amy Ludwig
English 101
11 May 2016
The Burmese Python: A Not so Simple Serpent
When most people hear the word snake, they think of a small, slithering serpent living
in the woods or the forest; however, the Burmese Python is not a typical snake. Ranging from
approximately 16 to 23 feet, the Burmese python can weigh up to 400 pounds and has an average
lifespan of 20 to 25 years in the wild (Burmese Python). Although native to Southeast Asian
countries like Cambodia, China, Malaysia, India, and Myanmar, the pythons have made an
appearance in the United States over the past 40 years and have been popular amongst
consumers who fell for the snake when it was in infancy and only about 5 feet long. However, as
the snakes grew larger and came into adulthood, owners would release them into the Everglades
where they are now living off a multitude of endangered species and threatening the lives of
people as they continue to grow in population and expand throughout the southern United States.
To ensure the safety of endangered animals (the Key Largo woodrat, the American alligator, and
the Marsh rabbit), people, and pets, we must advocate the hunting of Burmese pythons and the
reporting of sightings to the proper authorities.
Glorious symbols of Florida, the American alligator and the Key Largo woodrat are
perishing from their homes due to one massive invader the Burmese python. These
endangered animals populate a large portion of the ecosystems in South Florida and are
extremely valued in society because of their scarcity, nativity, and resourcefulness. According to
the U.S. Department of the Interior, their particular concern with the Burmese python is that it is

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a large predator that preys on protected species we are attempting to recover, like the American
alligator and [the] Key Largo woodrat (U.S. Department of Interior report 2013). Without the
proper knowledge, people might assume that there is no real benefit of keeping the Key Largo
woodrat or the American alligator around and that after all, the Key Largo woodrat is only found
on Key Largo. However, we must put ourselves in their situation to see why they are valuable to
society. How would we feel if there was only a handful of people left on the planet and we were
being hunted by a massive invasive species and deemed useless to the new society that was
rising? Would we still feel that it was useless to band together and protect the human species?
The answer to that question is a simple no. It is innate for people to want to protect their
species. In 2008, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported the
witnessing of a Burmese python eating an endangered woodrat on Key Largo (Nonnatives).
While some people might argue that the killing of a single woodrat is insignificant, when
considering that fewer than 200 wood rats live in the wild, the killing of merely one woodrat is
enough make a difference (PBS Nature). While society is not directly benefitting from the Key
Largo woodrat, the small rodent is a native species in America, specifically in Key Largo, and we
must protect it from the invasive Burmese python that is breaching upon the rights of it.
A proposed solution to save the Key Largo woodrat and capture the Burmese python is to
place traps on Key Largo in hopes of drawing in the python in hopes of capturing and
eliminating it. In the PBS Nature documentary, Invasion of the Giant Pythons U.S. Geological
Biologist Ron Rosar placed 60 traps on the island of Key Largo in hopes of catching the pythons
that are killing the Key Largo woodrat (PBS Nature). However, his traps have not yet caught any
Burmese pythons. A better solution would be to declare an open season on Burmese pythons. If
there was an open season year round, then the Burmese possibly would face extinction like other

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animals that have faced extinction from hunting throughout the years. While the traps are
creative, they have ceased to work and are not benefitting the endangered Key Largo woodrat,
but are entrapping them into miniscule cages where their rights are being further taken away
from them. It is not the Key Largo woodrat that should be punished because the Burmese python
invaded its home.
An endangered species, the American alligators population is being reduced every day
due to the Burmese python, and the responsibility falls on us to save it so that it can save us. The
widely loved American alligator is endangered and has been found in the stomachs of many
Burmese pythons. In 2011, Skip Snow-- head scientist of the Everglades Science Support Team-found remnants of an American alligator in a captured Burmese pythons stomach. This was the
eighth Burmese python that he had found the remains of the endangered American alligator
inside of (PBS Nature). Some people may be in disbelief about this because first, alligators are
stronger than pythons and second, alligator skin is too tough and would not be able to be digested
by a slim python. While these reasons appear to be logical, they are not. Although alligators are
thicker than pythons, pythons are longer and more flexible so they are able to squeeze the life out
of their prey before consuming it. Evidence proved that Burmese pythons were in fact stronger
than American alligators in 2006 when researchers discovered a 13-foot python that had
swallowed a six-foot alligator (Python Problems). As for pythons not being able to digest
alligators, they can. When the alligator is settled in the stomach of the python, a combination of
Hydrochloric acid and the digestive enzyme Peptidyl is produced in order to digest the tough
organism (PBS Nature). In addition to the negative impact the Burmese python has on the
American alligator population, the Burmese python also has a negative impact on the American
economy due to the toll it takes on the alligator industry.

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If there is nothing done about the disastrous Burmese python that is killing American
alligators, thousands of people will struggle economically. Throughout the course of American
history, there have been financially daunting times. One might recall the Great Depression in the
1920s or the more recent Great Recession in 2008. In both events, thousands of Americans lost
their jobs and went hungry. If we do not put an end to the Burmese python that is annihilating the
American alligator, thousands of people who produce alligator goods will suffer and lose their
jobs. A statement released by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries stated that raw meat and
hide values are estimated at over $10 million for the wild harvest and over $40 million for the
farm harvest annually (General Alligator). However, the production of alligator goods does
not only benefit America, but it benefits Americans who work in the alligator industry or
purchase alligator goods. Alligator goods employ Americans which in turn decreases the poverty
rate. Many hard-working American people would be left unemployed if the Burmese python
abolished the American alligator population. The invasive Burmese python is an issue whether or
not we are directly affected by it. Without the native American alligator there will be
unemployment and there will be an economic downfall.
A furry little critter, the Marsh rabbit, is being ruthlessly hunted by the Burmese python
and only we can stop the eradication of the Marsh rabbit by working to rid the Florida
Everglades of the invasive Burmese python by implanting trackers into abundant species and
female pythons. Through extensive scientific research and the placement of tracking devices into
the endangered Marsh rabbits, Bryan Walsh, author of "Burmese Pythons Are Taking over the
Everglades," an article that was published in Time magazine, stated that 77% of the tracked
rabbits were eaten by Burmese pythons, a fact that scientists knew because the trackers led them
to the digested bodies of the rabbits inside the bodies of the snakes (Walsh). After placing

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trackers into the Marsh rabbits, scientists then released them back into the wild and waited a year
until they went back and found the trackers inside of the Burmese pythons that had feasted on the
Marsh rabbits. Alongside the placement of tracking devices into Marsh rabbits, scientists also
placed tracking devices inside of female Burmese pythons in hopes of attracting potential male
suitors when mating season began. While it is sad that the Marsh rabbita species that was once
in abundance is now facing extinction because of the Burmese python, the Marsh rabbit has
led to the capture of many Burmese pythons in the Florida Everglades. By implanting trackers
into hunted species, scientists and researchers are finding Burmese pythons. Implantation proves
to be one solution to the Burmese python issue and has helped garner statistics on the Burmese
python in regards to the populations in the Everglades it is exterminating. Through the
implantation of tracking devices into Marsh rabbits, Arcynta Childs, author of "Attack of the
Giant Pythons," found the percentage of Marsh rabbits being killed by Burmese pythons to be so
great that he stated that Burmese pythons were essentially hunting the Marsh rabbits to the point
of extinction (Childs). Although the Marsh rabbit is currently being hunted to extinction by the
Burmese python, scientists have constructed a way to hunt the pythons and rid them from the
Everglades ecosystem through the tragic loss of the Marsh rabbit. The placement of trackers
inside the many species of the Everglades is an amazing way to garner information on the
Burmese python and to have physical evidence of the harm that the Burmese python is causing to
not only the Marsh rabbit, but to other animals that are a part of the ecosystem in the Everglades.
We must eradicate the Burmese python because there has been more than one occasion in
which people have been injured or killed by the invasive species. Some people might argue that
the addition of the Burmese python to the Everglades is a part of evolution. While this might be a
common theory, people are often naive to the fact that they too have a possibility of dying off as

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the Burmese python population increases. The Burmese python is an obvious problem not only
to the species in the Everglades, but also to humans. Research published by Adam McMullen
from snaketype.com shows that even though [Burmese pythons] dont release venom they will
bite and they arent about to let go. They can also wrap their bodies around a human and crush
them so that they cant breathe. McMullens then goes on to speak about the importance of
seeking immediate medical care should a bite occur [and] that way there is no risk of infection
spreading throughout the body (McMullens). While a study titled "Assessing Risks to Humans
from Invasive Burmese Pythons in Everglades National Park" claims that between 2003 and
2012 there have only been about five attempted attacks on people by the Burmese python, it is
still frightening to think that there is even a possibility of being caught in the grip of the
strangling snake (Silk). The Burmese python is a deadly fiend any way people choose to look at
it. One example of the harm Burmese pythons are able to inflict was demonstrated when 19 year
old Grant Williams of the Bronx was strangled and killed by his Burmese python in 1996
(Herpmed). Williams was found in a pool of blood and in the grips of his killer pet. Certainly
the Burmese python is not what most people would consider as a typical house pet such as a cat,
a dog, or a goldfish, but they do pose a threat to these common household pets that millions of
Americans confide in and love. In a study done by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission, it was stated that aside from preying on people, Burmese pythons may also prey
upon pets such as cats and dogs (Nonnatives). Although these pets are nowhere near
endangered, they play an important role in companionship for many Americans. In 2012,
according to the U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographic Sourcebook, 66.9% of all American
households had either a cat or a dog (U.S. Pet). This statistic shows that pets definitely have a
spot in the hearts of Americans and based on personal experience being a pet owner, I can say

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that if my sweet cat got eaten by a Burmese python, I would be devastated. So, for the sake of
people and their animals, the Burmese python should be eradicated from the Florida Everglades
perhaps through hunting and reporting Burmese python sightings to the proper authorities.
In order to preserve the lives of endangered species, people, and domestic animals it is
essential for us to take action by hunting the Burmese python and reporting python sightings to
the Florida Wildlife Center (FWC). The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission states that one
way people can be actively involved in eliminating the Burmese python is through Python
Patrol, the Python Removal Program or by hunting pythons. The Python Patrol is a training
program that teaches individuals to identify Burmese pythons, safely and humanely capture these
invasive snakes, and properly report the data to FWC (Florida Fish). Specifically for south
Floridians, the Python Patrol is meant for people such as park rangers who are actively involved
in the outdoors and are most likely to encounter a Burmese python. The second solution, is the
Python Removal Program which is aimed towards eradicating all invasive species that inhabit
the Everglades. Lastly, the hunting of Burmese pythons is encouraged in the Everglades. This
past February, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission encouraged the Python Challenge in
the Everglades which gave hunters an incentive of $5,000 to compete to kill the most pythons in
a month (Hunting). All of these prevention tips and solutions are for people who either live in
Florida or people who are willing to travel to Florida and hunt the Burmese python. However, to
fight for the cause, we do not have to be that involved necessarily. One thing that we all can do is
become educated on the Burmese python so that if we are ever in a situation in which we witness
a Burmese python or are confronted by a Burmese python, we know what to do in order to
protect ourselves and the endangered species of the Everglades. When trekking through forest
areas in the Everglades, people should wear long durable clothing and carry a walking stick to

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make sure they do not end up walking in the path of a Burmese python. When and if someone
comes across the invasive monster, he or she should remain calm and turn back and start walking
in the opposite direction to prohibit contact with the python. When sighting a Burmese python,
people should report sightings to the exotic Species Hotline at 888-IveGot1 (888-483-4861), or
online at IveGot1.org to ensure that the python will be taken care of by the proper authorities
(Florida Fish). Whether we work interdependently with other people or by ourselves, we can
prevent a dark future from rising and escape the coils of the Burmese python.

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Works Cited
"Burmese Python." National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May 2016.
Cambodian boy with pet Python. Digital image. Von Thailand Nach Kambodscha, Auf Zu Neuen
Ufern! N.p., 16 Nov. 2011. Web. 11 May 2016.
Childs, Arcynta Ali. "Attack of the Giant Pythons." The Smithsonian 1st ser. 42.1 (2011): 27.
Academic Search Premier [EBSCO]. Web. 9 May 2016.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Burmese Pythons in Florida. N.p.: Florida
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2015. Print.
"General Alligator Information." Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. State of Louisiana, n.d.
Web. 15 May 2016.
Herpmed, Steve. "Thirteen Foot Burmese Python Kills Owner." Melissa Kaplan's Herp Care
Collection, 10 Oct. 1996. Web. 10 May 2016.
"Hunting for Deadly Pythons in Florida with the Snake Whisperer." CBS News 11 Feb. 2016: n.
pag. Print.
McMullens, Adam. "Burmese Python." Snake Facts and Information. Snake Type, 2008. Web.
10 May 2016.
"Nonnatives- Burmese Python." Myfwc.com. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission, n.d. Web. 10 May 2016.
PBS Nature- Invasion of the Giant Pythons. PBS, 02 July 2015. Web. 10 May 2016.
"Python Problems." State Legislatures 1st ser. 33.4 (2007): 12. Academic Search Premier
[EBSCO]. Web. 9 May 2016.
Silk, Robert. "Report: Few Humans Attacked by Park Pythons." Keysnews.com. Keys News, 28
May 2014. Web. 10 May 2016.
"U.S. Pet Ownership Statistics." AVMA. AVMA, 2012. Web. 10 May 2016.
"U.S. Department of the Interior Report 2013." Doi.org. N.p., 2013. Web. 30 May 2016.
Walsh, Bryan. "Burmese Pythons Are Taking over the Everglades." Time.com. Time, 25 Mar.
2015. Web. 9 May 2016.