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Just like many native New Yorkers, I've thought about retiring to the pleasant climate of Florida. But recently, I've discovered that Florida has put together an anti-snake task force, and now I think my retirement plans may need to be re-evaluated. This so-called "task force" is made up of dogs specially trained to sniff out Burmese pythons in Florida's Everglades National Park. Apparently, some "experts" think that the recent "invasion" of Burmese pythons to the everglades may upset the delicate balance of the ecosystem. RELATED: What's In A Name? The "experts" believe there are two main factors contributing to the python population growth. One is the destruction of an exotic snake ...
Rounding up our favorite animal stories, photos, and videos on the web each week! Attack Cat Saves the Day Lima doesn't like when you mess with her mama, a point the kitty proved by defeating two large pit bulls.[via WFAA.com] License to Coo Indian police arrested a pigeon on suspicion of being a Pakistani spy. The pigeon escaped using a laser watch and a charming British accent.[via My Fox LA] Twitty Kitty A new twitter device for cats lets the Internet know what they're up to. Most common tweet: "I hate my owner."[via Mashable] Start Spreading the Oysters Oysters are being used to clean up New York waterways. They not only help filter polluted water, ...
Flickr/Squamata55 Name: Ball Python Personality: These snakes are generally docile and easy to handle. Care: Ball pythons are not very active so they don't need huge enclosures -- a 30 gallon tank is appropriate for an adult python -- but the tank must be secured tightly or the snake can escape, according to About.com. These pets require an ambient temperature of around 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and a basking temperature close to 90 F. A large, sturdy dish of water should be kept inside the tank to allow the snake to soak and rehydrate itself. Every five to seven days, a young snake will need to be fed several small mice. An older snake requires larger prey, such as rats, every 10 to ...
Photo: Tambako the Jaguar/Flickr A pet albino Burmese python strangled to death a two-year-old girl in her Oxford, FL. home last week. After the python's owner, Charles Darnell, awoke to find the snake's terrarium empty, he immediately ran to his girlfriend's daughter's crib to find the 8-foot python wrapped around the child. He stabbed the snake in an attempt to pry it from the girl while others dialed 911. Unfortunately, the girl was already dead when emergency crews arrived at the scene. The snake apparently had escaped and attacked the child during the night. Darnell did not have a permit for his pet python as dictated by Florida law for all pets classified as "Reptiles of Concern" ...