16-foot Python Swallows Entire Adult Deer

11/02/2011

Eyes Clearly Not Bigger Than Stomach

A huge 16-foot Burmese python slithering through the Florida Everglades proved that her eyes weren't actually bigger than her stomach, by swallowing an intact 76-pound deer. The Everglades National Park wildlife biologists indicate that the python had a girth of 44.1 inches after devouring the adult female deer! 

[WHO KNEW?: Deadly animals turn up all the time when you live next to a swamp - check out the bizarre creatures that randomly saunter into town on Swamp Wars! Watch now>]

At 15.65 feet, the python isn't the largest on record, according to CNN, but the size of her prey both impresses and concerns state and federal wildlife scientists and land managers trying to control the non-native species.

[FATAL ATTRACTIONS: Why are certain people drawn to dangerous reptiles? [VIDEO]

As a large exotic animal that is not naturally from that area, experts assert that the python has the potential to wreak havoc on the natural Florida wildlife. Discovered by contractors who were spraying exotic vegetation on an island about 20 miles from Everglades National Park, the snake was dispatched with a single shotgun blast to the head, which is apparently protocol for non-native, predatory species.

[WATCH: Ernie Brown Jr. aka "Turtleman" takes on some of the most outlandish and outrageous wildlife nuisance calls including raccoons, skunks, snakes, venomous spiders and possums.]

Another Possible Example of Exotic Pets & Irresponsible Owners?

Officials indicate that they do see pythons on a regular basis and that they've dispatched hundreds of them in the past few years. While some of the snakes may have escaped enclosures after Hurricane Andrew's widespread destruction in 1992, experts assert a more likely cause for the problem is....

that some of these pythons were actually pets who grew bigger than the owner "planned" and they were released into the wild, which according to wildlife officials is the worst thing you can do.

Photo Source: South Florida Water Management District

Comments

[website templates]

That must be one hunngry python.

[Kyle]

ok....so it ate it, why did they have to kill it?

[renee]

Like it said, they shot it bc it is protocol for all non native predators.

[Terri]

Why did they have to kill it? Seriously, was there a logical reason?

[Heather]

The python population is out of control in the Everglades. It is common practice to kill the snakes in order to control the ever growing species. Sad but true. There will come a point to where they move into cities and become a huge threat to humans. She sure was a beautiful snake though.

[Michael]

Yeah why did they kill the snake? I don't get what protocol is ? And what's the biggest python in the world reccord ?

[LM]

" There will come a point to where they move into cities and become a huge threat to humans. "
LOL! That is certainly not the reason! Non-native predators are invasive and wreak havoc on native species and possibly even wiping them out, destroying the balance of the local ecosystem. That's why it's important that non-native species be destroyed. Certainly not because they will one day rise up and destroy human civilization. Hah!

[Tanya]

They have to kill them because they are non native to the area and as you can see they are taking food from the native wildlife.These snakes have no natrual predators in FL and they can even take down small gators if they just left the snakes alone they will destroy the ecosystem there. I love animals, but they all have a place and should be left in their native territory to keep things balanced. What do you think would happen if you put 2 bull sharks in a fresh water lake in a years time all the fish would be gone and that ecosystem will suffer and die off. Thats just my 2 cents.

[Se7ensnakes]

They have to kill it because if they cannot house it. Do you know of anyone that can take care of such a snake. If you release back into the wild it will eat more deers, blue herons, Rabbits, egrets. Soon your children wont have the opportunity to see and experience the native wildlife.

[Shelly]

I think the issue people are trying to make is why did the snake have to be killed instead of removing it to a facility that can house the animal? The snake didn't ask to be there. It doesn't know its in the 'wrong' place. Can't they be collected someplace, then when there's enough to make it pay off, have them shipped to their home lands and released? This always angers me when it happens. Humans screw up, and the animal has to die for it. Just because it had the misfortune to be born a certain species. I wonder, when will the government agencies start turning these practices on people? Considering the past in human history, its not that unlikely a scenario. If you weren't born in a place, you'll have to be 'removed' by whatever means that governing agency sees fit.

[evol ohshun]

Does anyone watch animal planet? You think they should live till your pet's wrapped up in its coils. Maybe not shoot it,call wildlife and have it removed..they government should pay for each one turned in..

[TF52]

Non-native species of fish were introduced to areas of MA when I lived there. These fish "walking catfish" quickly take over and eat all the other fish in the ponds and reproduce like crazy. Then they can migrate to the pond across the street because they can flop across land!
Humans wiped out populations of animals and now we are trying to add them back in. And part of that means protecting those animals from non-native species who will eat them up OR eat up all their natural food, wiping them out.

[Judi]

As far as killing the snake, some people don't realize that it is not native to the region and would products how many babies in the future and kill how many native species!

[evol ohshun]

If people know their beloved pet has a price on its head in the everglades,maybe they'll think twice of releasing it there.. ijs

[Lindsey Biehn]

I hate snakes but I dont think killing is the way to go, like that guy in Ohio let go all those animals, lions,tigers,bears,snakes,monkeys, wolves,zebras the list goes on and on! They didnt save none of those poor animal! Shoot and killed them all and hauled them out on a bull doser! Like it was there fault they was released! Zoos would of loved to take in those wild animals! There was no reason he should of had any wild animal anyway! Sugar coat it all you want it! But its MURDER! How can anyone sleep at night after taking a life! Its hard for me to kill a fly to get it out my house! What gives us the right to take another life! There just trying to live the best way they no how! Shame on you!

[Aly]

People really don't read the story, they just look at the photos and assume the snake was killed because it ate the deer. What most people don't realize is that there are WAY too many snakes in the everglades and killing them is keeping them under control. We have hunting season for deer, rabbits, geese, ducks, etc. for a reason too. You can only relocate so many of the snakes, especially with the economy today. The snakes will be a danger to themselves and human population if the numbers aren't kept at a certain level.

[Dave Barrow]

i think more should be done about the people that release these snakes, wild life should not suffer because of human stupidity

[Dave Barrow]

i have visited many countries but i was not killed for eating there food, and it was my choice to go there this snake never had a choice

[James]

They're snakes released by unintelligent people who had no idea snakes grew. It died because it's not supposed to be there. I doubt any of you would want to save the snake if it just ate your dog(which is likely smaller than that deer). Or God forbid, a small child. There are illegally introduced species everywhere, and there's little choice but to remove them from the area. Sadly in this case it was shooting it.

[William Daniel]

What makes you people have to kill anything you don't understand, your sorry mofo's

[Sue]

Why is the answer always to kill it first ask questions later??
It should have been captured and released to it's natural habitat or zoo.

[samantha]

Sad. Maybe pet shops should STOP SELLING animals.

[Mel]

maybe they thought it ate a person so they opened it up to be sure ??

[bdtvstar.com]

i think this snake real hungry and dangerous also

[Blogging School]

it's really big i ever seen oh! i am really got ....