Instead, hunters from various countries, including the nation, are converging on south Florida, near Naples, to capture a python that measures up to 19 feet in length, using firearms, machetes, golf clubs, paint rollers, and cordless screwdrivers. This phenomenon adds to the peculiarity of the situation.
A Burmese python of that magnitude would extend almost the entire length of a three-point line on a high school basketball court.
The grand pursuit of this year begins at 12:01 a.M. On Friday, August 4th and ends at 5 p.M. On Sunday, August 13th.
Before engaging in the activity of handling a constrictor or joining a group of friends in this endeavor, it is important to familiarize yourself with these five crucial aspects.
Burmese pythons are large, capable creatures
These aren’t your typical Florida snakes: they’re Burmese pythons that are large and strong enough to capture and eat deer and alligators.
Pythons exert a great amount of strength with their sharp teeth, although they are not venomous (although they are poisonous). They can slice through flesh like a saw, as their teeth are curved and act like a pair of saws. If you are bitten by one, do not grab the snake and pull it away.
If you encounter a situation where a snake has hold of your arm or any other body part, it is important to promptly seek medical attention and carefully extract your limb from the reptile’s mouth. Instead of attempting to forcefully pry the jaws open, it is advisable to firmly grasp the snake behind its head.
There are two options for entry: experienced hunter or beginner.
Registered hunters are responsible for compensating for captured snakes, usually based on their length, through initiatives led by either the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or the South Florida Water Management District. These initiatives exclusively involve hunters who are officially affiliated with the respective agencies.
These hunters are considered to have an advantage over lesser skilled hunters, as they have produced the most snakes for state agencies in the past.
According to FWC, the beginner classification is open to the general public.
How to humanely kill a python
The FWC and other wildlife agencies have a strict policy against any form of animal cruelty, which includes the mistreatment of harmful invasive species like the Burmese python.
So, in order to take part in the challenge, which involves a technique known as “pithing,” you must humanely euthanize the snake.
The process of pithing, which involves the killing and humane destruction of a python, must be immediately completed following capture. Regardless of your tool choice, you must follow Step 1. The goal of pithing is to render the nonfunctional brain stem and cerebral cortex of the python. According to the FWC website, pithing is an additional technique meant to cause death by increasing substantial destruction of the python.
And exactly how do you accomplish that?
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According to the FWC, to guarantee significant damage to the brain, advance the rod in the direction of both the left and right portions of the brain, and then towards the brainstem, employing purposeful and varied movements. Introduce a compact rod (a stiff, metallic instrument akin to a screwdriver, spike, or pick that is of appropriate size) into the cranial cavity.
Transform it into the condition, subsequently encase it in some form of pouch, draft the serpent manuscript, and once that is completed.
According to the regulations of the FWC, anyone discovered inhumanely killing a python will be disqualified.
Don’t kill native snakes
Florida is the habitat of numerous indigenous snake species, and a few of these are occasionally mistaken for young Burmese pythons.
Snakes include species such as water snake and red rat snake, as well as Indigo Eastern rattlesnake, diamondback, Eastern cottonmouth, and coachwhip. The python, particularly the Burmese python, is a well-known snake that can sometimes be confused with these snakes.
Not only Burmese pythons in Florida, but also green anacondas might be reproducing close to Naples.
It is significantly simpler to differentiate a fully-grown Burmese python from indigenous serpents as they reach a length of 19 feet.
Eastern Indigo snakes can grow up to 8 feet long, which is approximately the size of a small adult male Burmese python.
Online python hunter training required
You cannot simply venture into the wilderness of South Florida and begin removing invasive Burmese pythons.
In order to participate in the quiz, hunters must register at least 85% score and have not seen python before. There is a non-refundable fee of $25 required, and the training must be completed online at the very least.
People who have been accused of animal cruelty or infringements linked to fishing or hunting are disqualified from participating in the competition.
The online training program is accessible to individuals of all backgrounds and can be located at this website.