Record Setting Python Killed in Miami FL with a knife!

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Gusbuster

Gusbuster

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Record-setting Burmese python found in Florida
Jason Leon was riding late at night in a rural area of southeast Miami-Dade County when he and his passenger spotted what turned out to be an 18-foot, 8-inch Burmese python. He didn't know at the time it was that big! Only about 3 feet of the snake was sticking out of the roadside brush. Jason stopped his car, grabbed the snake behind its head and started dragging it out of the brush. When the snake began to wrap itself around his leg, he called for assistance from others and then he was able to kill the snake with a knife. Luckily, Jason once owned Burmese pythons as pets and has experience handling this nonvenomous constrictor species. University of Florida scientists examined the snake and found that it was 128 pounds and female, not carrying eggs at the time. The previous record length for a Burmese python captured in the wild in Florida was 17 feet, 7 inches. This Burmese python is now documented to have set a record as the longest Burmese python captured in Florida.

The Burmese python is an invasive species that has negative impacts on the Everglades ecosystem and its native wildlife. The FWC actively coordinates with local, state and federal partners, including university researchers, native tribes and nongovernmental organizations, on the research, management and capture of pythons. The general public should not try handling or capturing this snake because of its strength and size.

Please report sightings of exotic species to IveGot1.org or 1-888-IveGot1 (1-888-483-4861). There is also a free smart phone app IVEGOT1.

Flickr Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/myfwcmedia/sets/72157633542222098/
Full Story: http://www.flickr.com/photos/myfwcmedia/sets/72157633542222098/Thanks to:
The Nature Conservancy’s Python Patrol Program
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Venom Response Program
University of Florida’s Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center
USFWS

Too bad they didn't show the knife:( It would be cool if it was a Busse:D
 
Just the tip of the iceberg unfortunately. We have Burmese and African rock pythons too. We also have tegus, Nile monitors, iguanas and many other invasive species. I'm trying to find out exactly where the snake was. I live in southwest Dade county close to the Everglades. I have seen them dead on Krome Ave, And ran one over myself.

I doubt it was a fixed blade, We have some pretty stupid laws regarding fixed blades.

EDIT! I was wrong, It looks like scimitar/ish small machete.

http://www.wsvn.com/news/articles/local/21010678912471/miami-man-captures-kills-18-foot-python/
 
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blame it on god said:
Just the tip of the iceberg unfortunately. We have Burmese and African rock pythons too. We also have tegus, Nile monitors, iguanas and many other invasive species. I'm trying to find out exactly where the snake was. I live in southwest Dade county close to the Everglades. I have seen them dead on Krome Ave, And ran one over myself.

I doubt it was a fixed blade, We have some pretty stupid laws regarding fixed blades.

EDIT! I was wrong, It looks like scimitar/ish small machete.

http://www.wsvn.com/news/articles/local/21010678912471/miami-man-captures-kills-18-foot-python/
Click to expand...

:thumbup:Cool! Thanks for the video. By the way, I thought we were allowed to carry fixed blades with a concealed weapons permit:confused:
 
With a CCW yes, I'm pretty sure we are. I don't have one though, I drive from the Redlands to Opa Locka for work. If I carried a gun I would have shot someone long ago!

By stupid knife laws I mean. I can carry and conceal my Rajah II, But I can't open carry a Ratmandu. I think that is stupid!
 
Are they an invasive species? Yes!

Are they slithering in every corner waiting for a chance at your kids? No!

Killer snakes make great headlines so the media is really milking it but don't be fooled its not like what you see on animal planet. We have many more invasive plants, insects and fish that are causing much more havoc on the ecosystem.

Im glad he caught the python, even though I don't buy the "dragged it out by the head thing". But as someone who enjoys keeping these animals, I feel the need to educate at least a little bit on the subject so that next time the vote comes around they won't successfully continue to take rights away from snake owners. Like with other touchy subjects, its not fair that a few irresponsible people mess it up for those who are responsible and passionate.

BTW I have lived my entire life in Miami (close to the everglades) and have never once seen a single large constrictor outside captivity.

Respectfully,
Jonas
:):thumbup:
 
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I've thought about moving back to FL to get in on the python action. Plus, there's tons of other pests there... how bad are the hogs?
 
I thought all you needed was a permit to keep them and have them tagged? That isn't too much to ask if that is the case.

And yes, They do go overboard with the killer snakes and no natural predators stories. I worry more about snakeheads and piranhas in lakes/canals than I do about pythons. But I have seen them on krome close to 8th street going to trailglades.

Hogs are more a problem near lake Okeechobee and surrounding areas.
 
blame it on god said:
I thought all you needed was a permit to keep them and have them tagged? That isn't too much to ask if that is the case.

And yes, They do go overboard with the killer snakes and no natural predators stories. I worry more about snakeheads and piranhas in lakes/canals than I do about pythons. But I have seen them on krome close to 8th street going to trailglades.

Hogs are more a problem near lake Okeechobee and surrounding areas.
Click to expand...

I go to trail glades all the time. I guess its just timing. Are you sure they were pythons? I see rat snakes and the such quite often but I have never seen a python or a boa. And I have actually gone out looking...

This is the last snake I saw, cleverly hiding inside the bird feeder.

 
Most certain they were pythons. I've seen some sizable rat snakes, But it's not even close! I love rat/corn snakes. They eat rats, And we have plenty of those here in the sticks.

More often then not I go to trailglades later in the day and hit the casino for dinner. So I'm driving back in the evening. Not saying I see them all the time. 3 in the last I don't know how many years, but I have seen them. The one I ran over could have been dead already, But I'm not swerving for a snake.


Edit: I want to find out where this one was though. Palmetto Bay resident doesn't say much. They come out here to ride ATV's, but if close to palmetto bay.........not good.
 
How does Python taste?
Last time I checked Fixed blade open carry is OK.
I rotate fixed EDC.
I believe its stated as long as its an "ordinary knife" we are fine.
No size limit.
Maybe thats just Palm Beach County.
 
FTR-14c said:
How does Python taste?
Last time I checked Fixed blade open carry is OK.
I rotate fixed EDC.
I believe its stated as long as its an "ordinary knife" we are fine.
No size limit.
Maybe thats just Palm Beach County.
Click to expand...

Dade is no limit on folders, But FB's over 3 inches is a no go for open carry. My brother in law is a metro dade cop and we/he looked it up. (after a run in I had with highway patrol) You aren't going to get in trouble if you are towing a boat, camping or if you might need to have a larger FB though.

Don't know about python, but gator is tasty!
Ordinary knife to who? Too vague, Is a mora "ordinary" or is a Ratmandu "ordinary"? They could take you in depending on how they see it. Cops do NOT like knives from my experience!
 
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My bad, I just looked it up. They used the words "common knife' with no length restriction.
I'm thinking knuckle knives and tantos will get you in trouble but a drop or spear point with a common handle is fine in PB county.

Oh and I loves me some gator, I'll have to try python some day.

Edit: Replaced the word ordinary with common.
 
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I have heard its similar to a white fish. Very easy to clean and prepare. It would be nice if the animal didnt just go to waste.
 
Hey... Umm... So the guy's first reaction when seeing a 19ft snake is to jump out of his car and grab the snake by the head?

Am I the only one who finds that strange? :confused:
 
I'd like to try python too. I'll try any food once! From what I've seen the meat is stringy when cooked. I've heard iguana is quite good depending on how it's prepared.

I wonder if they serve python on the reservations now? That is where I've eaten most of my gators.

Nullity said:
Hey... Umm... So the guy's first reaction when seeing a 19ft snake is to jump out of his car and grab the snake by the head?

Am I the only one who finds that strange? :confused:
Click to expand...

Not if you have handled pythons before. That snake wasn't very thick compared to most captive snakes and he only saw the first few feet. I bet he got a hell of a shock when he found out how big it was. lol!!
 
I handle pythons daily. You learn the snakes behavior with time and know what you can and cannot do. Having said that, there are very few occasion when I would grab a big burm by the head. I might work my way up to the head but certainly not straight to the head and even less directly from the front. Unless this snake was someones very very tamed pet or the snake was nearing death, I highly doubt the guy would have been able to just snatch it by the head without getting bit. I would bet that there is some exaggeration there but anyway, not important.
 
Im glad he killed that thing. No one, in FL especially, as far as Im concerned due to hurricaines should have em. Andrew, released so many invasive species into OUR native habitat that they are killing off native species and taking over habitat.

I hope he gets a reward and they keep the rewards and the hunting season going forever.

Look at what the fricking Asian carp or whatever the nuisance fish that jumps out of the water has done. THe snake head is taking over the Potomac River where I use to live.

Look at what khudzu ...however its spelled has done to GA.

There is a reason Customs keeps that, foreign fruit, and plants and other things out of this country. It doesn't belong here!

Look at all the gators flushed. Look at the kid that was eaten cause some ignorant parent let it get loose in their own house......

Kill em all :thumbup:
 
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