Burmese python study kicks off at SREL 6/19/2009 12:11 AM
Python No. 1176 sizes up its new surroundings. (Staff photo by Michael Gibbons)
By NOAH FEIT Staff writer
To view video of the pythons' release, click here.
Like college freshman being dropped off at orientation, the Burmese pythons released into a snake-proof enclosure at Savannah River Ecology Laboratory Thursday seemed wary of their new surroundings. The snakes are part of a study at the Savannah River Site that's testing the contention that pythons are capable of surviving in climates similar to their natural habitat, which includes much of the Southeast U.S.
Of the seven snakes released into the enclosure, many were reluctant to leave their traveling bins and remained coiled when ushered out. Although some snakes assumed a defensive position, the inactivity isn't unusual for Burmese pythons.
"These guys tend to sit around until something comes by to eat," said Michael E. Dorcas, the Davidson College associate professor of biology who's leading the study in conjunction with SREL researchers.
The study has come about because Burmese pythons, kept as pets for decades, have been introduced into a new habitat. The snakes - which can grow longer than 20 feet, live for 15-25 years and are native to Southeast Asia - were either released or escaped into the Florida Everglades where they are wreaking havoc in the foreign ecosystem.
"There are certainly thousands of them in the Everglades," said John D. Willson, of SREL, who is one of many technicians involved with the study working primarily as a volunteer. "They camouflage so well, we can't really determine how many there are."
There is concern over what the pythons would do if there were a mass migration north.
The year-long study, which is being filmed by National Geographic and will air early in 2010 on the National Geographic channel, will examine the ability of invasive Burmese pythons to survive in a semi-natural enclosure at a different temperature than the Everglades. The study will specifically monitor the survivorship, body condition, weight, behavior and thermal biology of the pythons.
"It's not going to be definitive but it will provide insight to determine if the climate models are accurate," Dorcas said of the study, which is being funded in a joint effort by SREL, Davidson, the University of Florida and the U.S. Geological Survey. "The information will be important in determining what course of action can be taken so they can't be established in South Carolina."
The snakes will be checked daily to ensure they are in the enclosure. It's for this reason that, when the first snake was released, someone cautiously cheered, "Be free ... Within the enclosure."
In the unlikely chance any python escapes, it can be tracked by tracing a radio transmitter that was surgically implanted into each snake Wednesday. The pythons are also identifiable by an ID tag that was also implanted during surgery and an ID number scrawled on it. Additionally, the technicians can identify the pythons by their distinctive patterns.
Aiken is an ideal location for the study since it fits the climate model in question. SRS is a logical site to conduct the study since it's the home of SREL, which already had a snake-proof enclosure.
"It provides opportunities found nowhere else in the world," said Dorcas.
Contact Noah Feit at nfeit@aikenstandard.com.
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Posted by: angry mama & distrought son On: 11/7/2009
Comment Title: snake cruelty
My 11 yr old son & I were horrified to read this article! Doesn't anyone on this team already know the outcome? Of course the snakes will perish! We're reptile lovers of all sorts & have a respect for all creatures great & small...where is yours? This is a waste of money. period.
Posted by: Matt On: 7/1/2009
Comment Title: This is crazy!!!!
How about we find 7 Rabbits and stick them in an enclosure in Alaska and lets see how the animal rights activist feel about that. Oh that's right, they have fur!! All this is is anohter attempt to pass the law regulating the sale of exotic pets, A 4 billion dollar a year industry in this country in 2008. So let me get this right...Bad economy, lets make it worse by taking one more thing away from the public and put it in the hands of the govt. I have a better idea. Let's put the scientists in Alaska wearing nothing but pair of shorts and a t-shirt. At this point I will fund that study.
Posted by: Bill On: 7/1/2009
Comment Title: Food?
I'm wondering how, and what these snakes will eat? Will they be fed or just allowed to find whatever small rodents wander into the enclosure?
Posted by: On: 6/29/2009
Comment Title: This "experiment" needs to be stopped
I can 100% guarantee these gorgeous snakes will die horrific deaths. They will suffer and those "scientist" should be ashamed.
Posted by: On: 6/29/2009
Comment Title: Someone should call P.E.T.A.
This is a cruel experiment and these burmese pythons will die. There are only to places in the U.S. that have climates sutable for these animals. One being the Everglades and one being the Southern most tip of Texas. These burmese pythons will suffer and expire once the tempatures drop into the 50's then 40's then 30's. And for what? So that these men can get thier face all over Tv. this is garbage. Florida should be thrilled to have the burmese pythons it gives them yet another thing to exploit to up the tourism. Just like Aligators and the Manatees shoot now Florida can also have Burmese Python Tours. As I said someone should get a hold of P.E.T.A. and let them know how these animals are being tested just to get some TV. time.
Posted by: Rom Whitaker On: 6/27/2009
Comment Title: Burmese pythons in India
We are hoping to initiate a study on this species up in Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, a park up near the Nepal border with India. One part of the study is to look at the thermal regime of the species which could provide answers to the questions being asked at SREL. Given that salaries and logistics are a fraction of what they are in the USA perhaps some thought could be given to a collaborative study over here.
Posted by: - On: 6/19/2009
Comment Title: The most stupid thing SREL has ever done-
The risk from this "experiment" is enormous. Do you think that SREL wouodl ever kill their "babies". These things should stay in Burma. they are the best argument for prohibviting the importation of exotic animals into the US. There is no possible positive outcome from this experiment. This clearly shows that SREL should be closed down. If they want to study Burmese pythons, then go to Floridaand study ways to destroy them in the wild. They are an ecological disaster.
Posted by: Local On: 6/19/2009
Comment Title:
I beg to differ. The National Geographics is filming the study. The US Geological Survey along with SREL, Davidson and the University of Florida are funding the study. So? How many tax dollars are being used for this study? SREL & US Geological Survey are taxpayer funded. When the government is involved in anything the price tag grows and grows and grows. I find that STIMULATING, don't you?
Posted by: My 2 cents On: 6/19/2009
Comment Title:
I'll tell you what happend to the $5 billion, it brought them damn yankees down here, now florida is bringing their damn snakes. Take em back to florida, I'm sure they can find some room to watch some snakes. While you're at it tell them yankees to hit the road too, they don't like it here, they are always talking down about S.C. and the south. Hit the road yank
Posted by: On: 6/19/2009
Comment Title: "How many millions of our tax dollars"????
I doubt this funding for this study even neared $20 K, let alone even a million dollars. Most studies of this sort don't even come near that much. If you had bothered to read the story, you'd know that the National Geographic Society and the University of Florida funded most of the project, with a fraction of it coming from USGS. In other words, very few of your tax dollars are going to fund it. The investigators WISH they were getting millions for this study. You should be more concerned about the billions of your tax dollars that went down the Private Contractor Black Holes in Iraq, Afghanistan, the SRS. What ever DID happen to that story of the $5 billion that disappeared at the SRS over the past two decades?
Posted by: EEDAN_BB On: 6/19/2009
Comment Title: Re: snakes on a plain
And how many millions of tax payers dollars is going into this project?????
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