Nature "Invasion of the Giant Python" in Florida's Everglades

Nature follows scientists and snake hunters as they study the problem and try to find solutions to the growing crisis in Invasion of the Giant Pythons premiering Sunday, February 21 at 8:00 p.m. on WPBT2. Academy Award-winning actor F. Murray Abraham narrates.

The film takes viewers on a “snake patrol” set up to hunt down and capture members of the growing army of pythons. Audiences also meet scientists who are learning everything they can about the Everglades pythons, working on strategies to protect the park, its native residents, and surrounding habitats from the snakes. 

Alligators were once the undisputed reptile kings of the Everglades. But who would win a battle now — alligator or python?

Florida’s Everglades National Park is one of America’s last great wildlife refuges, home to unique and endangered animals and plants, as well as untold number of iconic alligators. There are possibly tens of thousands of Burmese pythons now living in the Everglades, some of which were intentionally released by pet owners, and others were unintentionally set free by storms when hurricanes hit Florida’s animal warehouses.

“This film is a sobering look at the impact on our vanishing wilderness caused by exotic pets gone awry,” said Fred Kaufman, Series Executive Producer. “Not many pet owners are prepared to care for their baby pythons once they double in size in one year. Just goes to show that these magnificent animals belong in the wild and not at home.”

Invasion of the Giant Pythons will be available on video.wpbt.org, after the broadcast date.

Comments

[juegos]

The video of the alligators is amazing!!

[large pet carrier]

My buddy and I just watched a snake documentary and he said a giant python could swallow me whole. I laughed?

[WPBT2]

Glad that you enjoyed the program. I guess it depends on who is larger - you or the python!

[retirement costa rica]

These films are good they help us learn about animals and plants

[costa rica best investment]

This film is a sobering look at the impact on our vanishing wilderness

[kaitlyn]

what were/are some of the affects on the everglades???? since the pythons invaded???

[Walter Tully]

According to The Daily show with John Stewart, these Burmese pythons are now rising in numbers. They're a threat to both residents and our wildlife reserve! Next thing we know, we'll find them in our parks and public recreation areas! According to the show, if we don't do something about this in the next few months, they'll continue moving up north. OMG, I hope they don't go as far as Glendale, CO.

[Tony]

How about stop being barbaric ignorant humans and leave the snakes alone? When your out and see a cotton mouth do you mess with it? No. Leave em alone. This was all of their land first, we are only visitors.

[Burmese Python]

The pythons are brilliantly camouflaged for ambushing their prey and this makes them very difficult to see. While they use waterways to travel, the pythons spend most of their time on land. They feed on a wide variety of prey and target small mammals and birds. Some find it conceivable that a big snake could target a small person, such as a child.

[stef]

To tony the only ignorant person on here is you it seems. The pythons weren't here first. The gators, the egrets and the bobcats to name a few were here first. It is in the interest of preserving our natural wildlife and controling an invasive species. Truthfully I could care less if every poisonous and large constricting snake became extinct however preservation is of my utmost concern!