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Article posted Thursday, September 18, 2014 1:56pm

Here are some facts about Burmese Pythons.

They prefer tropical or subtropical climates and thrive in grassy marshes near water sources. They are excellent swimmers that can remain submerged for 30 minutes. Pythons are solitary animals and have poor eyesight, locating prey by smell (chemo-receptors on tongue) and by sensing warmth associated with warm-blooded prey. Being nocturnal, they are relatively inactive during daytime. Young pythons can climb trees but large adults rarely do so. They are difficult to see in the wild and a scientist radio-tracking one can be within a few feet of it and not know it is there. Burmese Pythons are favorite “pets” of reptile fanciers, and many of these pets end up in the Everglades when they get too large to handle. The State of Florida now seems to be accepting that tourists and pythons must co-exist. (animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu; other sources)