More snakes (No gory pics)

Arriving at work last Thursday, I noticed a large green mesh bag being hosed off near our lab. I went over and discovered there was a live python in the bag. I asked the sweet young thing holding it who caught it and she replied, "I did". It turns out she is a wildlife biologist who was tracking a couple of the male pythons who were microchipped, when she noticed they were very close to one another. She guessed that there may have been a female nearby so began to look and, sure enough. She and a colleague got it in the mesh bag and into a cooler for transport to the lab (There is a standard procedure to doing this- never approach while it is coiled as it is all muscle and can then spring half its length.). A small crowd was gathering and when chief snakeologist, Skip Snow arrived, they emptied in onto the grassy area and stretched it out. Sweet young thing had hold of its head in some way so it could not open it's jaws. It was measured at 13.5 feet and Skip was kind enough to show us what someone referred to as her "lady parts", for she was indeed a female. Pictures were taken and then back into the bag. I later heard she weighed 90 pounds, but have not heard whether she will be micro chipped or euthanized.

There are also diamondback rattlesnakes here in the park and our team leaders came upon one during a lichen collection trip. They are very experienced and heard it so they were able to avoid it. Jean said it was perfectly camouflaged and had it not rattled, and often they don't, they might not have seen it. It was not a good trip for them as Jean also got into some poisonwood. They say if you only learn to recognize one tree in south Florida, it should be the Poisonwood tree. Its leaves cause a reaction like poison ivy ( only much worse) and if you get too much it will get into your bloodstream and make you sick. Lovely flora and fauna down here, wouldn't you say??

The great python hunt has ended with more of a whimper than a bang. Although 1500 people were registered as hunters, only 50 pythons were turned in. The Florida Wildlife people put a good face on it, but many folks are calling it a big disappointment. To me it seemed rather meaningless as all of the Everglades Nat'l Park was off limits. They are still thinking about whether to do it next year. Seems like its good for tourism and publicity.

PS. I found out the young lady's name is Michelle.