How Far North Will Florida's Pythons Spread? | Invasive Biogeography

[@kylemarkham1946]

I did my senior thesis in college on this exact topic several years ago. This video almost feels like you read my notes from my defense giving this presentation. The biggest takeaway from my research was what you briefly touched on with their dormancy behaviors. In almost every case I could find, they continued to bask as temperatures approached freezing, to the point that many would develop moderate to severe respiratory infections in temperatures around 30F-45F, even if they did survive a short cold spell. These respiratory infections were often fatal even when treated (cannot remember the source, but I believe it was a smaller institute conducting research near Jacksonville, FL). Gopher tortoise burrows, like you explained, would be one of their only refuges if they were to make it to the panhandle due to how deep they go, and those are becoming scarcer by the year. If they were to make it into the limestone caves that you start to see in the Appalachian Mountain Range, they would have a chance in the foothills of the southern range, providing better dormancy behaviors were selected for. I concluded they would likely not expand much farther than the ranges of the American crocodile without further selective pressures, and at most make it as far north as mangrove forests in the relatively near future with a bit of luck on their side. Props to the video! Really took me back and many of these studies were not around when I did mine. Super cool to see more about it six years later.

[@truthseeker215]

Why can’t we get up to date information? I always look to hear how we are doing with the fight against them but can’t ever find up to date information

[@mikecmw8492]

You understand we can eradicate them anytime we want. They are easy to find and just kill.

[@dingleshcmarfin6926]

I agree with this, having kept burmese pythons I've seen how prone they are to respiratory infections even compared with other pythons. I doubt they'll leave south Florida because of it. Tegus are far more likely to spread north given they're brumating half the year.

[@savage22bolt32]

I'm so disappointed. I really wanted to see them reach Washington DC.

[@bcallahan3806]

Really good information. But as we already know, climate changes for 4.5 billion years. Species can mutate/adapt faster and more

[@johnstevenson9956]

We're human beings! If we can't render a species extinct, we're not trying!

[@johnstevenson9956]

@davidrstevens183 LOL No, I don't recommend wrestling them into extinction.

[@batfurs3001]

Fr, just start spreading pamphlets with instructions on how to identify and kill them, how to best cook them, and offering monetary rewards for pythons killed with something like needing to bring in the tail tip as proof. People would jump on that in an instant.

[@johnstevenson9956]

@davidrstevens183 LOL That all sounds a little elaborate but it does show that when humans put their minds to it, we can exterminate anything. I do think it would go a million miles toward the problem if people were just allowed to shoot the damned things.

[@blackpotatomaster]

Well I say we kill them b4 they get smart kill them now but luckily I'm in ny they won't live past our winter

[@charlesdupree5622]

They already do paid hunts for them. But it's hard hunting in swamps. Especially in the everglades.

[@fishingarrett]

From my years of experience, working with Burmese pythons I’m confident they can’t live in North Florida

[@Memessssss]

Yoink

[@SK-rs1hu]

YOINK

[@parkermain8435]

Yoink

[@deepharrow8520]

It went down to 50 and most of them died in Fort Lauderdale your correct

[@ElwoodPDowd1970]

Even the 20 footer?

[@wickedmikes5281]

I live just south of Miami, Florida, on the edge of the Everglades, and have something like thirty years experience with reptiles, including both Burmese pythons and Indian rock pythons. This video should be shown in Biology classes everywhere. Truly the most informative and factually accurate breakdown on the subject I’ve seen yet.

[@bcallahan3806]

It's irresponsible people importing and now breeding them. Then not being responsible for them.

[@Manbunmen65]

You think kids are going to care about the pythons range in Florida? Do you care about teen pregnancy statistics?

[@bcallahan3806]

@@Manbunmen65 Apparently leftwing do.

[@bcallahan3806]

@@Manbunmen65 ? Just plain irrelevant. Yes and yes it matters. If your so ignorant not to be aware of your surroundings, that's just plain moronic. Do us all a favor. Stop writing books and go play in the street. Hopefully an interstate highway. How dumb can you be? How isolated can you be?

[@chesterswingjr9796]

@@bcallahan3806 - No, it was a breeding facility that left them when hurricane Katrina hit, and it destroyed the facility. Thats how they escaped. The population wouldn’t have exploded from a few irresponsible pet owners.

[@dwaneanderson8039]

It should be noted that the pythons haven't adapted to more northern climates in Asia despite having had millennia to evolve there. They might not do it in the US either.

[@rosalinaayala5963]

I disagree with you because Asia did not have modern infrastructure for millenial! What will happen is the Python will find a rich hunting ground for rats in major cities like NY and take refuge in the sewer systems,steam vents,subway tunnels during their dormancy.

[@tylergladys6626]

@@rosalinaayala5963 that would be a good thing rats carry alot of diseases

[@lightningboltt5437]

@@rosalinaayala5963 good point, cities are also heat sinks which could allow pythons to survive

[@alexcrowder1673]

@@rosalinaayala5963 troll alert.

[@alexcrowder1673]

@@lightningboltt5437 burmese pythons are more prone to respiratory problems than almost any other snake. Theres no way in HELL theyd survive in a sewer or any state in the USA other than Florida (or Hawaii if they were introduced).

[@jesselore6374]

It's important to note, invasive species adapt to move into new environments that are completely different to their native home ranges. We have experienced that with the cane toad here in Australia, it has evolved longer legs in the norther west enabling it to penetrate landscapes that remained barriers in their home habitats. Southern cane toad populations have evolved thermo regulation genes that enable it to survive Australia's southern cold temperate climates that are 20-30Deg C lower than their native climates.

[@jacobkubacki2719]

They’ll never survive the winter if there’s a freeze & there usually is. I owned a Burmese & raised it from a 22 inch hatchling to an 18 foot behemoth. She’s now in another location(my wife was pregnant with our first child then & asked me to find a new home for her). They’re awesome animals when you raise them properly. Unfortunately for Florida, they’re here to stay but Im in the minority that doesn’t care. I love em too much & hate humans enough to be biased. 🤷‍♂️

[@mavrikmavrik3032]

This is exactly what he’s saying in the last 1/3rd of the video.

[@reefhugger100]

@@jacobkubacki2719 The problem isn't the effect on humans, its on the native critters the pythons are shutting out of the local environment.

[@markuse3472]

@@reefhugger100 Jacob doesn't care as he said, he hates people. He is a snake, too.

[@markuse3472]

The toads have have been toads and will never "evolve" to anything else, color changes and longer legs (likely only about an inch [since they are amphibian] as any human can grow bigger muscles with exercise, too). Evolution is a lie, made perfectly clear by honest scientists.

[@EdwardHamiltonDavis1]

Great video. Full of information and all of it interesting, especially given the impacts of invasive species!

[@leecowell8165]

He's correct. The temps here in Florida can get really cold for being this far South. Fortunately they don't stay that way and its also always very dry (thus no ice except a light skim on already existing water.). yeah bad news for a python that can not handle really low temps like the American Alligator. Yep temps below freezing will kill a python in short order.

[@MrPocketfullOfSteel]

They better hope, or they'll have to learn to live with them. :O) Hopefully they don't learn to adapt and overcome and keep trekking northward. I live in Cincinnati, I would doubt they could get this far north; but nothing would surprise me anymore these days and I wouldn't much care for sharing with a Burmese Python. :O)

[@22lyric]

@@MrPocketfullOfSteel I read awhile ago they were already adapting to cold weather!

[@MrPocketfullOfSteel]

@@22lyric I believe it Jude, which would correspond with what the Bible says will (and it's *NEVER* wrong) happen during the 'Great Tribulation' period. That the world will be turned over to the beasts of the field, something like that and a *whole* lotta people will die and I do mean LOTS and LOTS. Yes indeed, everything is going down *exactly* like the Bible says it will. I'm glad I won't be here for that.

[@dyer2cycle]

@@MrPocketfullOfSteel ..Have Fireants made it to Cincinnati yet?..I am in NE GA(Appalachian mountain area, and we have had fireants for about 20+ years now..I remember seeing their mounds in middle GA(Piedmont region) in the early-mid 1990's...recently, I have been seeing several road-kill Armadillos here where I live, also..one would think the hard rocky, rooty, clay soil here in the mountains would be totally unsuited for an Armadillo..but, here they are...

[@MrPocketfullOfSteel]

@@dyer2cycle I believe they have but they're here and there, I haven't seen any the last couple of years.

[@stevena55]

I'm a former snake keeper living in north western South Carolina and can say from personal experience I find it highly unlikely a Burmese would survive the cold winters here. It's often single digit or low teens for weeks on end.

[@blackburned]

It all depends if they can get in the ground where it doesn't matter the air temp as much

[@JamesMedina-sc7hz]

Excellent video. I'm from the reptile community here in Florida and people forget about the whole reptile warehouse destroyed on S Florida during Hurricane Andrew. I believe it was Andrew. But the facility was destroyed and it slung invasive species in every direction. In South Florida we have African Rock Burmese and Retic populations thriving here. Great video. Good information. Makes total sense. Good stuff. I just subscribed. Thank you for making this video brother

[@richarda996]

I was working in the oilfield in Texas and Louisiana for the last fifty years on land and inland water ways. I have witnessed many different wildlife at all hours of the day. I have never seen a python in either state and have looked for years. I retired in 2017.

[@brianpartlow5530]

Pythons can't handle the winter weather that most American states get. I doubt they'll do well outside of Florida. I hear that these pythons are becoming endangered in their home areas. Maybe they should catch the ones in Florida and send them home to repopulate their native areas.

[@johnwingate8799]

Other snakes survive.

[@marymorris8185]

You are cunaware of the warming of the climate and the snakes' adaptive traits. The snakes have adapted to colder climates in Australia.

[@deepharrow8520]

@@johnwingate8799ok other fis survive in Alaska but can you put a piranha in ice water??

[@MrKimberr]

​@marymorris8185 global warming doesn't mean it only gets warmer. Some places get colder, and others warmer. He mentioned this in the video. It causes more drastic changes in temp.

[@LukeFromLasVegas]

Wonderful video. 💫 You've got a great narrator voice.

[@janboreczek3045]

As always, a great video! This channel really deserves way more attention than it gets at the moment. I do hope that it will become more popular in time

[@ShirleeKnott]

first time it's been recommended to me subbed before video was half way through and agree he should have many more subs imho

[@MrPocketfullOfSteel]

@@ghostwriter1415 :O)

[@ghostwriter1415]

@@MrPocketfullOfSteelcough? I was yawning when I came too (hungover) and re-read it, so it's gone.

[@MrPocketfullOfSteel]

@@ghostwriter1415 I was just being funny GhostWriter, I don't want to go back to the video and reread things again. No worries, just messing around is all. :O)

[@ghostwriter1415]

@@MrPocketfullOfSteel no problem mister. I live in the sticks, and YT comments are a big part of my social life. I had a lot to drink last night, and got carried away. L/R

[@kalkuttadrop6371]

They share a similar climate range to the American Crocodile(which is currently mostly just in the Everglades and Keys, but historically pre-humans ranged up to the North Tampa Bay, and may have occasionally ventured further up in warm decades to the west florida coast, south Louisiana, Mobile area). So probably not much further north than Tampa realistically.

[@patfallon3395]

Gators are in central Arkansas. On a given day, who knows where they are.

[@NathanShepard]

Good video. I remember that map coming out in 2008 and it split most academic herpetologists in half. I was in the camp that did not believe it for a second. Only other thing I can offer is that in 2009/2010 they kept 10 burmese pythons in outdoor cages in SC to see how they survive. The cold snap killed all but 9, and one survivor only survived because they brought it indoors...it did develop at respiratory infection. That pretty much closed the book on this whole range expansion of burmese pythons.

[@christopherrowley7506]

it was almost certainly purposefully deceitful: because alarmist stuff always gets more attention and funding. I can't believe they only considered averages and not the deviation from the average. Even an undergrad would get major points marked off for that sort of thing

[@WorldTravelA320]

The academic herpetologists that agreed with that map, were most likely paid off by HSUS, PETA, and the USGS. SANE academic herpetologists, and pet owners knew the truth, these animals can NOT survive north of Central Florida.

[@NathanShepard]

@@WorldTravelA320 That is not entirely true. All of the ones I talked to where not affliated with any ngos. Most disliked peta and hsus for their work against doing herp conservation work and non-responive nature to rattlesnake roundups. The cold snap hypothesis was not talked about much in those days. And the model isn't significantly far off on JUST on the bases of temperature threasholds on average (as that is 100% of what the data was in the model). But the cold snaps are key. Once 2009/2010 winters occured, it was clear they would never venture north of Florida. Those winters killed a huge % of the burmese pythons, even the most southern everglades animals. Those coldsnaps even killed a number of american crocodiles which are native to south florida but only the far southern tip. I was there in the winters of 09/10 and it was clear. Big dropoff in the number captured in the years before and after. Of course by now they have repounded in size but haven't really expanded in range. Very telling. No one really upholds those original usgs models anymore. In fact the entire fear based narrative of burmse pythons has died, no one talks about it outside of Florida.

[@WeighedWilson]

All but 9/10 survived means only 1/10 died! Is there a typo in your post?

[@NathanShepard]

@@WeighedWilson Yes typo. Cold snap killed 9 of them. 10th individual caught a RI and had to be brought indoors...it would have very likely died. That study showed Brumese Pythons cannot live in southern South Carolina (or further north). Climate change may alter this in the future but it showed climate and immigration (range expansion) models were off with this species.

[@intheshell35ify]

Outstanding use of compare and contrast. Nice pace. Well done.

[@MrNoneskull]

Nice overview. Your scholarly research, engaging illustrations, and even delivery made for an enjoyable and informative video.

[@tallcip65]

2 years ago I saw a 10ft+ long python in the snake river in Idaho. It was early spring and the water temp was in the mid 40s. Obviously it was a pet that was released into the river but it seemed to be thriving.

[@a50ftfall6]

You sure it was a python?? If it was it was probably released not to long ago they can survive colder water but not for long. It probably froze to death the next winter. If it goes below freezing they won't make it

[@tallcip65]

@@a50ftfall6 Yeah, it swam up stream right along next to our 17 foot boat. It was easily 10 feet long and was a big around as my thigh.

[@tylerdavidson2400]

You should have killed it.

[@Boskibro]

@@a50ftfall6yeah it was probably released that summer and died that winter. Sad, don’t get a big ass pet if you don’t want a big ass pet

[@tomtravis3077]

I live in Idaho near the Snake. It died the next October. When they get too cold, they go into torpor. Meaning they stop moving. They will freeze to death. Thru the winter with the 7 hour long regularly cloudy day? No chance. As a tropical snake, I don't imagine they are programmed to hibernate. Even if it managed to find a deep burrow to crawl into. On top of winter, the availability of prey is far reduced in Idaho. Biodiversity decreases the further north or south you go from the equator. A tropical snake would be ill suited in Idaho to find enough prey. There are not the availability of wetlands and they are not nearly as biodiverse.

[@exileisland2675]

That map is crazy to suggest them coming all the way up into Kentucky. The winters are so rough they'd freeze.

[@Mulberrysmile]

I saw one in Cocoa, FL in 1999. This is inland from Cocoa Beach, a few miles south of Kennedy Space Center, due east of Orlando. It crossed the road in front of me. It was so thick that I didn’t want to risk driving over it, so I saw the entire snake. It’s head was in the middle of a wide (the width of a lane of traffic) center median as it’s body was across two lanes, and it’s tail tip came into the 10 inch gutter. They are farther spread than people think.

[@xzqzq]

I keep asking if these things are good to eat ? Same with Asian Carp.

[@storytimewithunclebill1998]

Anything will learn to adapt or it just wont live. Got a new subscriber. Was fun and informative to watch. Great video

[@hoptoit5910]

One important factor not mentioned….humidity. You may have countries/areas with similar temperatures however one might be dry climate and the other a humid climate

[@ArmoredProtagonist999]

Pythons actually can survive in relatively dry humidity and hot temps combined. During the dry season in their native range the humidity levels, low rainfall, and temperatures makes it feel like hot desert weather during the summer. If anything it’s temperature that makes a big difference like in the video. Another big factor is accessibility to nearby bodies of water/ riparian environments for western range expansion. The Indian python’s westernmost range is in Pakistan’s arid southeast bordering India, specifically its westernmost arid range hugs along the Indus River all the way to the coast. However West Texas and New Mexico is too mountainous and cold for them to survive even with the nearby Rio Grande.

[@fernandofernandez1830]

Wow one of the most interesting and informative videos I’ve ever watched. Very good content.

[@fcastle4]

Great video. Do one on feral hogs. Some say they will spread west across Arizona, but I think the limiting factor will be the lack of water.

[@mikecole1095]

Feral hogs can be quite resourceful. I live in southern indiana and up until now we haven’t had a problem with them now they’re here. Once they get a foot hold one never knows

[@casualearth-dandavis]

The wild ancestor of our feral hogs (boar) are limited by water in their home range, back in Eurasia and North Africa. In dry regions, they cling closely to major rivers. In Arizona, I do think they could become a major problem on the Mogollon Rim, above 4,000' or so, where the vegetation is more lush and there are more streams per square mile. They're well-adapted to the cold of those higher elevations. The Mogollon Rim also has several oak species, like Quercus arizonica, and acorns are a highly beneficial food source for feral hogs and boar.

[@joelspringman523]

Maybe der snakes an hoggis will eat one another, each and every one. 🤔

[@troyb6128]

We have feral hogs in AZ already, small numbers but they are here non the less

[@casualearth-dandavis]

@@troyb6128 Correct, they're more prolific near reservoirs and rivers.

[@bensk8in467]

My Dad talked about this over 20 years ago. He said it was gonna be a problem. They have green iguanas running all over down there now too because pets got loose.

[@jamesmcinnis208]

I suspect the majority of those pets were deliberately released into the wild.

[@swayback7375]

Geckos, true chameleons, many frogs and such are now super common Dunn there now

[@bensk8in467]

@@swayback7375 When customs is so strict about what you can and can’t bring in or out of a country how did the ball get dropped here? They throw away fruit from people’s luggage daily lol.

[@Chicken-Emperor]

Mediterranean House Geckos all over SC now too.

[@bensk8in467]

@@Chicken-Emperor I saw an anole in the Southern tip region of Illinois a few years ago visiting a park. I couldn’t believe it.

[@richdiddens4059]

Back in the mid-'90s someone released at least 3 large anacondas in California's western San Joaquin Valley. All 3 that were found had gotten stuck in valves in the irrigation canals and drowned. The largest was about 8 foot. They were found in late fall to early winter. If they'd been released in the spring into the sloughs along the river there is a good chance they may have proliferated.

[@UrbanGardeningWithD.A.Hanks14]

They need to make intentionally releasing invasive, dangerous or deadly species a capital offense. It's the only way to deter them.

[@sislertx]

Lmfao..u think they are not there...too many libtards who just chuck them out when they get tired of responsibility..they have been seen and killed almost daily...they just cant makenit racist or sexist to be a victim attention seeking or scam money over it.

[@starandfox601]

@@UrbanGardeningWithD.A.Hanks14 that will never happen cause of cat owners

[@UrbanGardeningWithD.A.Hanks14]

@@starandfox601 When was the last time you were assaulted by a venomous cat?

[@starandfox601]

@@UrbanGardeningWithD.A.Hanks14 pythons aren't venomous and they aren't that dangerous to humans. also feral cat colonies are actually dangerous.especially to young children cause they are huge vectors for rabies.feral cats urine and feces also can make people sick.feral dogs are also extremely dangerous cause they'll hunt people.

[@josephkramer932]

Also, aggessive legal action against the idiots who import, release and own the invasive snakes would be awesome.

[@dmc3489]

The "idiot" was Andrew. As in Hurricane Andrew.

[@Fucev]

Soft on crime politicians don’t care

[@JoeGator23]

@@timchamberlin9280 And monkeys in South Florida... I've seen them walking freely on roofs. There are more than you think in the area and fearless roamers. Silver Springs, FL has literal wild gangs of monkeys left over from the movie-making days that are prolific and aggressive ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWKpipxop9pmrLc ). These primates can easily spread diseases to humans and also mess with livestock and their food. Their population grows every year. You can find videos on youtube... pretty scary, especially for kids and pets.

[@Sunbirdfla]

FL is stupid to have even allowed an evasive species to be sold in the state… No forethought there… South Gulf Cove in Port Charlotte County there was a 10 ft Python seen although the women has video she never contacted anyone a therefore slithered away.. Let’s at least be aware of the many evasive species that are here in FL. 🇺🇸☮️

[@Sunbirdfla]

D Mc Unfortunately they were spotted over 30 years ago. Ok FL let’s just ignore it perhaps they’ll go away… NOT ☮️

[@ForwardPlans]

In the late 70's and early 80's, one couldn't go to a party anywhere without someone showing up with a pet python, named Monty. That's where Florida's pythons came from.

[@blackburned]

Seems like the youth isn't so bad now comparatively

[@gauravjain7653]

@@blackburnedtrue

[@geraldfrost4710]

My boa constrictor was named David.

[@gauravjain7653]

@@geraldfrost4710 how’s he doing now?

[@geraldfrost4710]

@gauravjain7653 He died in 1990. Took him (when he was alive) to see my brother-in-law. He was close to shedding, so we put him in the bathtub with some warm water. My mother-in-law came over, and talking happened. She went to the bathroom, and I forgot to warn her. Apparently, the water had cooled off, and David went looking for warmth. Thus, he was draped across the back of the toilet, stretching toward the sink. My my mother-in-law came backing out, pulling her pants up and yelling. I was never her favorite person. When her whole family was laughing at her, because of me, she didn't like me anymore.

[@gregoryperkins2180]

the suitability range for them is south florida. the species was let loose in 1992. they have spread east and west but not north. the very tip of florida is tropical. we have snakes here that dont travel to anywhere north.

[@generalkayoss7347]

I live in Eastern NC, Alligators are here in a few locations but rare for the most part. I hope we dont have to add the rare Burmese Python to that list, in addition to the coyote and wild boar that are moving in.

[@1prairiedog]

The boars would sniff, find, digg up and ate any cold-numbed python that would dare to try it north, before real cold could kill it :) .

[@nelsonx5326]

I was surprised to see my area in Virginia on the map of how far north they might go. I can't see it happening though with the 4' deep snowstorms we can get. 23' long snake, yikes, that is scary. A 6' long black snake in the yard freaks me out.

[@vickiparrish3235]

We've had Alligators in NE Oklahoma for the 72 years that I've been alive. My Dad found some when he drained a leaking pond. In Claremore.

[@crotalusatrox7931]

That's cool to know, grew up in Nowata back in the 60's, then moved to McCurtain County in the 70's. Plenty of alligators in SE Oklahoma in the Little River drainage and oxbows of the Red River. I'm use to them as I lived in Louisiana in the 80-90's. Back in Idabel again. Red Slough is a prolific breeding area for alligator.

[@vickiparrish3235]

@@crotalusatrox7931 -That's really interesting. I don't know why the game wardens don't know there's gators all over this state.

[@donnaparrish7638]

That’s why I don’t swim in lakes any more, or rivers.

[@crotalusatrox7931]

@@donnaparrish7638 They won't brother you (much) as I've fished, swam and water skied in many lakes in Louisiana where they were present in great numbers, but mostly unseen. I guess a risk you take when you're in their habitat.

[@garyhughes2446]

@@vickiparrish3235 you bring up a good point but there's not anything I can see for people claiming there are alligators to gain by saying that there are if they're not, it would be interesting to talk to a game warden in those areas.

[@junkmail4613]

Serious work to make this video happen! Nice work!

[@PandorasFolly]

We had a similar phenomenon happen with emus near my dads house. At the start of the emu crash of the earlier 2000s several farmers near my dad in southern Mississippi released hundreds if not thousands of emus during hurricane season to try and get insurance money. So the emus lived in the woods for years. Actually started to multiply. Dad would see them on his early morning bike rides on red dirt roads. Then a couple of really hard winters came and he stopped seeing them, just their footprints. Then another hard winter and he hasn't seen them in over a decade.

[@terryporche9059]

Deer hunters taking them out. Taste like beef, just have to chew & chew. Grind them.

[@SK-rs1hu]

Good. Don't need invasive emus. That's terrifying. Aren't they huge and kinda aggressive? Anyways fuck them birds 🐦

[@louf7178]

Of my casual viewing about these pythons, it doesn't look good to me how barren of other wildlife the areas get.

[@neddyladdy]

That depends on how thinly you spread each one out. There more force you apply to the rolling pin the more they will spread.

[@btnhstillfire]

They could spread west but not North. Cold temps will kill them very quickly in the southern midwest.

[@DaniMartVTen]

Thank you for this video. I would like to add some of my own thinking to this conversation. In my predicting, anywhere a Ruby-Throated Hummingbird can find flowers, so can a Nine-Banded Armadillo because of its insectivorous diet amongst those flowers, is anywhere an American Alligator can swim because warmer artificial spillways exist in key niche environments, is anywhere a Burmese Python could find human infrastructure to overwinter within. A Ruby-Throated Hummingbird can barely overwinter in Washington D.C., is about as high a Nine-Banded Armadillo, an American Alligator, and a Burmese Python can survive in Eastern North America. If the Burmese Python ever crosses Texas into California, then Vancouver B.C. isn't out of the question, wherever their Hummingbirds can endure winter in Western North America. The continent of South America has the same relation, their Hummingbirds and their Reptiles, across all altitudes and biomes. As you've stated in the video, a genetic percentage of these established feral snakes are a hybrid of Burmese x Indian Python, because these reptiles are of pet-trade stock, not wild origins. As such, the genetic reproductive success of these color morph specimens hinged upon cooler indoor temperatures absent of sunlight as the warming mechanism, whereas industrial operations use temperature-controlled air rather than basking lamps. As such, any dark space with a consistent temperature, such as a storm drain or crawlspace or storage barn, can allow for a reduced metabolism overwintering, comparable to the cooling cycles of tote breeding systems. Color morphs are the bigger factor here however, because some hybridization and inbreeding was required to produce them, and some of those species and specimens are by-far more tolerant of unusual temperature swings and alternative habitat environments. My biggest concern is hybridization with wild native or other introduced species, because anywhere a Burmese Python could find a place to overwinter, becomes itself the reptile a large enough body of warmth to form a hibernaculum, as North American species are multi-species tolerant to share such spaces as a survival truce, ergo further warming the Burmese Python. If a Burmese Python should find a burrow, thus becomes a better hibernaculum by nature of its more temperature stable bulk. At spring the hibernaculum is sprung, and breeding begins, that if a wild snake should find the right chemical signatures of a pet-trade hybrid or inbred morph Burmese Python, a new species isn't completely out of the question? Genetically speaking, this very unique population of Burmese Python are not genetically stable, they are designed with a "mix & match" aptitude in controlled industrial settings.

[@eliletts8149]

Great video and analysis! I figured that the Himalayas and other high mountain rages had an effect in making subtropical climates more mild, allowing animals that would otherwise be purely tropical species to be able to live farther north than expected!

[@brianhillis3701]

Himalayas are subtropical at the bases. Artic at the tops. Coworker flew the hump and said survival was very difficult. Crashes not seen in jungles. Too steep at higher elevations to land planes. Cold and hot humid was hard to prepare for.

[@bearbones4347]

Mountains rage ? Think ur al hates u as ur controlled

[@Rryan8065]

The map at 1:00 is the most fear mongering I’ve ever seen. Burmese pythons can’t even survive in north Florida because it gets so cold, so they aren’t spreading anywhere.

[@Zombie-lp8bx]

They haven’t even made it north of broward county

[@Rryan8065]

@@Zombie-lp8bx exactly

[@GetSwampedofficial]

they will not make it north of lake Okeechobee. In order for that to happen it would take so many different things to happen to the earth. The pythons would be the last thing you would have to worry about. let's look at where the burmese python originally come from? Southeast Asia their numbers are actually declining do to habitat loss and over hunting in Asia they are collected for their meat and hides.

[@Mateogreat]

Thier caught in palm beach county

[@gladeshunter8796]

Yeah they conveniently left out the frost line . Pythons would never make it north of lake O it gets way colder in central Florida than it does in South Florida .

[@marshallwebb7050]

Did they put bounty on the snakes.

[@josh10722]

Yes, in Florida at least there is

[@1967250s]

Yep, but it is an incredibly difficult problem to hunt them. The forests, woods, and swamps of Florida are immense, very dense, and very difficult to hunt in, and the snakes camouflage is very effective.

[@supportyourtroopsathletes6460]

*With the heat, they will travel a bit further but when they reach colder climates, this will kill them. As a reptile keeper including owning two pythons still today in addition to assisting in the python removal project coming across some very large ones and large boas also. I think many people should either lose their fear of these and or if not learn to kill these by shooting these directly in the very center of their head . I am normally against killing of these animals but they to pose a danger to our pets and livestock and periodically may be a threat to a small child who may not know any better approaching them* . *Most snakes including these are all defensive animals and not offensive, they rather flee for the most part from humans and not attack a human unless they feel threatened . The very few attacks on children mainly toddlers and babies all have been verified that the children had been playing with family pets such as cats and dogs prior that day. These animals do not know the difference do to the smell of a family pet being transfered to a child so therefore they think it's a normal food source when this occurs. Another thing to have in case of a bite is either a small bottle of hard liquor or bottle of Listerine on the person whom may be hunting these. In case of a bite, simply grab the bottle or have your partner grab the bottle open it and pour it on the snakes gums as it causes instant pain for they pythons all while someone controls the head and if possible the body from wrapping during the bite the python gives. It causes then severe burning pain to instantly let go as mentioned but does not have long term damage. But of course you could shoot it in the head or catch it turning it over to your states fish and wildlife office. Just word for thoughts with working with every large constrictors there is from Burmese pythons, Indian rock pythons, reticulated pythons green anaconda and even type of boa constrictors from both the bci and bcc families of boas. I have been bit from babies pythons up to 16 solid foot pythons and 14 solid foot boa constrictors such as the water boas ( green anacondas ) and bci and bcc boa family's. The hard liquor and or Listerine will work on all sizes it does not matter and works on all species of reptiles both non venomous and venomous alike* .

[@bearbones4347]

Ur a genius

[@garyhughes2446]

All of those big constrictors that you mentioned turn offensive when they are hunting food. I've read that pouring rubbing alcohol on or near the snake's head will get it to uncoil whatever it's coiled around. Listerine on the gums, how are you going to get the snake to open its mouth and say awh

[@_jms430]

Interesting, and sensible thoughts. But I’am curious, is any of the species of snakes you have been bitten by have a bite more painful than the others? I suppose it also depends on where on the body one is bit.

[@yessirvehsjnmmfjfjfnf6766]

Thank you for ur effort honestly i see people like u who deserve all the money & resources to carry out something important for our ecosystem yet theres people making a shit load posting their genitals on OF. This life

[@_jms430]

@@garyhughes2446 If the snake is biting it's mouth is already partially opened and you know how any liquid substance can seep through small openings or cracks. But if it's just got you coiled, squeezing you and not biting that's a good question.

[@robertabray-enhus3198]

I’m in Massachusetts,and I don’t think cold blooded tropical animals will move up any farther than the Carolinas. We get too much snow and it gets very cold. They won’t survive

[@gradyhernandez4699]

Can they adapt?

[@maxshea1829]

@@gradyhernandez4699 They would need to burrow several meters down to reach warm enough soil in order to overwinter. Unlikely, but not impossible.

[@alc5792]

Maybe after years they will evolve and adapt to the cold. Like rattle snakes.

[@bennettfender9927]

@@alc5792Big difference between rattlesnakes and pythons especially size wise notice that all the truly giant constrictor snakes are limited to tropical climates I find it unlikely that will ever change.

[@BS-vx8dg]

As always, both interesting and informative. And though I know you probably didn't take the photo yourself, the shot at 12:19 was itself worth watching the video for. What an unexpected image.

[@jed-henrywitkowski6470]

I'm familiar with Southern, AZ, NM, and TX. All three regions have experienced uncommon cold snaps. However, outside of the high desert regions of the aforementioned regions, winters are relatively dry and warm the majority daylight hours. Thes regions are aslo home to indigenous constrictors, venomous snakes that utilize hemotoxins, as well as serpents that utilize hemo and neurotoxins.

[@MrPocketfullOfSteel]

Sounds joyful. A big fat *NOT.* :O)

[@bronxbombers1302]

Wildlife experts don’t let you on federal lands to eradicate and actually keep cameras on the dangerous animals and their nests. Which have up to 80 eggs. They would kill them if they cared about the rest of the wildlife.

[@bronxbombers1302]

@@timchamberlin9280 it’s a business. boots bags and meat. While fish and wildlife, much like PETA, want to remove animals from your home that are well cared for, but like the streets we let the animals run wild to ruin it for everyone.

[@gradyhernandez4699]

True

[@donaldmackerer9032]

definitely they are an invasive species and do tremendous damage to the ecology. they should be eliminated by all means possible. also they are a danger to humans and pets.

[@NeoNylus]

Hey man great video. If you want to continue to see success on KZbin, I would suggest making your videos between 10-15 mins long.

[@seymourwrasse3321]

Pythons won't swim up the Mississippi, but Bull Sharks will

[@MR2Davjohn]

Right. Bull sharks are adapted to fresh water where they mate and feed. However, they don't stay there beyond necessary seasonal temps.

[@TammyM36]

Not sure that’s true David. Bull sharks thrive in fresh water. I don’t believe this was an adaptive thing tho. I could be wrong

[@dmc3489]

I am cross breeding Lion Fish with Ospreys and equipping them with "lasers". After an intensive training period, they shall be released to combat pythons.

[@Acokeek]

D Mc*Osprey with a lion fish ? I hope your drugs doesn't get mix in with it.

[@oldgamerchick]

😂😂😂👍

[@WILD__THINGS]

Why is "lasers" in quotation marks?

[@susanazinger2525]

🤨🙄

[@jimeboyd3226]

I've seen Osprey on Pismo Beach pier 10 years ago .

[@MrCarrigks]

This was crisp. Just found your channel. Keep this up.

[@theburnhams2925]

Very informative; delivered in a calm, pleasant manner! I wonder if python is a "clean" meat? (serious question) Could be a valuable source of feed for dogs, etc. (other more useful critters..) as the things get HUGE!

[@blackburned]

Cat food too maybe if there aren't heavy metals and things like you said

[@johnwingate8799]

Some people say they have high levels of mercury.The skins are being used for boots,etc.

[@jrevan]

South Georgia boy here and every one i come accross will be buzzard food.

[@evilhag4206]

as a floridian, the python problem has destroyed so much of our ecosystem but the efforts to irradiate has been working well. The hunting program has led to the native fauna returning. one example is the cottontail rabbit. However the problem is so big i’m not sure it will be 100% but it’s too cold beyond florida for them

[@nicolehall2177]

I’m in Wildwood. I know their headed here. 😅 Southwest Florida Conservation just caught a massive 215 lb python .

[@billhowe4863]

I'm just east of you in mascotte, there's been a few found in green swamp and richloam

[@johnhilderbrand9204]

Thats a big girl! My biggest is 180 full of eggs!

[@PostalReptiles]

Awesome video. Love the thought of catching wild Burmese pythons in Wisconsin, having them hibernating in large Garter snake dens over the winter haha. Got my sub!

[@PostalReptiles]

@Cerceify haha I'm okay with less deer to smash into my cars

[@hummingbird3771]

Great content, subscribed! It will be fascinating to see if invasives are more or less capable of dealing with climate weirding than native species. Another interesting variable touched upon are the hybrids. If the instinct to seek shelter under ground or water is heritable, i.e. alligators, then a cold hardy, invasive, python wave could be approaching the areas on that map. Can we make responsibly sourced python leather cool again, please?!?

[@abrielmauerman7278]

gopher tortoise burrows can stay pretty warm during the winter. they even shelter many animals during wildfires. I think it being airy won't be much of an issue if most of the hole gets plugged up by a snake or tortoise that blocks a good bit of the draft to the rest of the hole and that's probably all you need to get a surviving reptile. What I'd like to see is if storm drains could be used in lieu of burrows, like maybe they learn that a clogged drain can help them out so they either seek then out or clog them up as much as they can. probably a little colder than a burrow, but it beats wind chill and snow. Then the next issue is invasive burrowers. armadillos burrow, as do sulcata tortoises. Even if their burrows only house the smaller pythons, that's still something. abandoned vehicles and other man-made structures could contribute burrows for larger snakes.

[@bisleyblackhawk1288]

Possums here in the south are more like “wild pets” who aggravate our dogs at 2:00 AM 🫤🫤🫤…but will never be aggressive when you poke one off your fence or capture by hand to release later (possums are “friendly critters)…the young will make great “companions” if raised from babies 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻

[@WorldTravelA320]

Stay in an abandoned car in winter and see how cold it gets.

[@WorldTravelA320]

Your comment is pretty laughable, these animals go into respiratory distress if the air temperature drops below 55, if not treated these can be 100% fatal to the animals in question.

[@JohnDavis-yz9nq]

Your comment definitely shows the difference between theory and reality. The abandoned car theory is insane. The temperature in a well insulated house will eventually become almost as cold as it is outside over time without an inside heat source.

[@bobavon6048]

You can't compare the Northern Hemisphere to the Southern Hemisphere because the jet stream in the Canadian Northern Hemisphere currently has been unusually pushing farther south for the last fifty years setting record cold temperatures in the United States.

[@thomasgrabkowski8283]

Also sudden stratospheric warming events in the arctic becoming increasingly common, causing cold air to be displaced from the Arctic. Same isn't happening in the Antarctic

[@rondent2879]

Why these snakes were ever allowed in this country and sold in pet stores especially in hurricane states is beyond stupid.

[@strangebird5974]

That survey of how pythons coped with the cold snap - I'm picturing an interviewer with a note block and a pencil asking a python a bunch of questions. Am science. Very double blind RCT. :) But seriously, I just recently found your channel and it's so nice and interesting. I really, really appreciate the matter of fact delivery and that you supply us with interesting bits of knowledge that is just complex enough to make us feel like we are learning new things. And we are! I am, at least.

[@butler386]

Good information. Using average temperature to predict the range of a Burmese Python is one of the most ridiculous conclusions I can think of. Duh-- average temp is an average and does not represent the coldest tolerable temps of the year. Thanks for the videos

[@Eibarwoman]

Average temps might explain why you'd find Norway/Silver Maples and birches in Michigan, Finland, and Basque Country particularly the winter temps for Finland and Michigan with warmer months being more of the southern end of these trees ranges in Europe. But a python's not a tree and is prone to lung diseases when humidity is too high (most of the Southern US's winters are too cold and damp).

[@chrisbuckley1785]

We found an alligator in a canal up here in Pennsylvania before. But it was found to be someone's pet that they just released. It would've died in the winter to which was pretty screwed up. But it didn't stop people from claiming alligators were here in PA. 😂

[@hazelbarnstar9731]

someone threw one in the susquehanna outside Harrisburg a couple years ago, people need to stop buying pets they aren't prepared to keep.

[@TWillWin]

It’s snowed trice in my life time in St Pete Fl and in 2009-10 it got into the low teens. People had to watch out for iguanas falling from trees . I doubt they make that far north anytime soon

[@Quarton]

A neighbor here in central Illinois reported seeing an armadillo just a couple months ago, near Pana, IL. They're spreading faster and further than you might expect.

[@Yaaaaa33]

Fuck that shit

[@HawklordLI]

I've seen Armadillo road kill here in KCMO area.

[@williamgrissom9022]

Armadillo and a six-pack is a 7-course meal in Texas. When I was a teen, armadillos had become thick all over N. Florida, decimating the skunk population since they competed for the same insects. Then they had a population implosion, due to a respiratory disease I read. Their population is more balanced now and skunks rebounded.

[@johnd3901]

I live and hunt in the epicenter of where pythons live in south Florida. Seeing how they already struggle in the winters even here I doubt they are going much further north than highway 60. Great video by the way.

[@smygskytt1712]

Something always missing in these discussions on Florida pythons is the example of Cuba. The island of Cuba has only two forms of larger carnivorous predators. The first is various forms of crocodilians - and the other is the Cuban Boa.

[@marilynalspachtoth5635]

They just removed a 10' gator in NE Oklahoma and there has been unconfirmed sightings of more.

[@monster21blog36]

Make a video on Wildhogs destroying property and ranches and fields

[@bobyoung1698]

Over time, the pythons will adapt to lower temperatures. A few have already demonstrated that adaptability by burrowing more deeply as winter temperatures dip below norm. It will take generations, of course, but it's likely to happen.

[@abbyarnold4477]

I can recall twenty something years ago people at the business I was employed at would have conversations about pythons that were purchased and then released which I would then enter the conversation and ask why not take them back to the store ? Which then they would reply by stating that there was no time . I would think that you had plenty of time to purchase at the store so why not do the same . Of course I was frowned at and told to mind my own .

[@jamesn7156]

I mean, we have 4 foot long snakes and 2 foot long snapping turtles in Chicago and it gets down to -25F. I guess it depends how adaptable they are.

[@jamesn7156]

@dacrosber Obviously, but if freezes every year kill off the weak ones, and select only the hardiest to continue on and reproduce, natural selection could slowly move them northward. Like I said, I guess it depends on how adaptable they are.

[@piercemaciain4847]

Tourist often ask me what winter weather is like in Savannah. I say it’s overall mild but chaotic at the same time. Your daily high could be anywhere between 35*F and 85*F. While the moderate temps dominate in November through February anything in that range can occur.

[@gladeshunter8796]

Pythons will never make it past the Frost line . If they could they would’ve already spread further .

[@wagstag89]

It seems the python lacking the instinct to burrow might be our saving grace here. I live in Louisiana and we've seen winter temps hit 5 degrees F before which is absolutely nuts for the deep south but we obviously have more than our share of snake species that manage to tough it out underground. You have to keep an eye out even in the winter months because we'll have random warm days where the snakes come back out and lay in the sun although they are very sluggish and not quick to bite, I've stepped on several while hunting in the winter because I wasn't thinking about snakes. But with the crazy weather in the south anything can happen. I was squirrel hunting in January one time and heard a crunch and looked down and I had stepped on a garter snake that was frozen solid in ice. I guess he was laying in the sun basking when the temps suddenly dropped and he ended up frozen

[@vinnyganzano1930]

Poor wee thing.

[@oftin_wong]

There's always another animals burrow to use

[@mikesanders4012]

Raise the bounty on the wild ones. Bonuses for females with eggs. Legalize hides too.

[@ursulasmith6402]

Property renters and owners, start investing in rock salt . I bought 4 bags (100 pound bags) at a feed store. I put it everywhere. I have heard, snakes can't handle salt because of their tounge.

[@margieoakes3092]

You heard wrong. I have snakes that regularly visit salt blocks that I have put out on my farm to attract wildlife! I have personally watched them lick on the salt block for at least 30 min. POMO

[@gqftoast]

Before to long we will be talking about the Nile crocodile which were stupidly allowed to be imported to florida and have since escaped during a hurricane.

[@timevans5909]

Holy shit,that's scary!!!!

[@portunol9638]

A long time ago it was proposed to the government to allow hippopotamus in Louisiana as an alternative to cattle. Everyone thought it wasa great idea thankful didn't happen

[@annettegraff8323]

In the early 70' s my cousins n I saw a couple of anaconda on the Gulf Coast both of Tampa . Stretched halfway across two lane road across the ditch into scrub pine. My cousin got out and I ran to pull him back . The thing hissed at him it's open mouth wide as a charger plate with huge airway . It was a muddy camo color . Looks just like what I saw on Animal Planet . Well over 20 ft long. There were two more I could see in a pond nearby . Bigger around than a telephone pole . Wonder how many are out there ? There were 5 houses on the peninsula and no dogs cats or birdsong .

[@annettegraff8323]

*North of Tampa

[@donaldmackerer9032]

they should definitely be banned and importing them should be made of felony or a serious misdemeanor.

[@restorator7]

I have been involved in python hunting and removal on the island of Key Largo where our subsoil temperature probably runs at least 80 degrees these days. We have found that these snakes love to be underground, and they do not need much in the way of animal burrows to get there. Man-made disturbances to the soil are absolutely everywhere, riddling the ground with sufficient passageways. The pythons also don't need to come to the surface to warm up and digest prey they have swallowed at times when even our native black racers do prefer to bask. The fact that these snakes are so prolific, moreso than in their native ranges means that genetically linked adaptive characteristics will be mixed and matched until variants appear that will have all the fitness characteristics they need to spread North, IMO.

[@mikecole1095]

I believe the python population has a whole will adapt through natural selection to the point of populating most south eastern states eventually.Very informative video. It will be interesting to see just how far north they make it. I wonder how far north they are currently found

[@psycho.dad5252]

i'm 30 miles n of tampa. they're not here.

[@jackpeters9349]

The growling warmer beware of the pythons

[@donaldmackerer9032]

​@@jackpeters9349?

[@icebergrose8955]

I watch a show about man disappearing from the planet and one hypothetical theory had half the USA being over taken by pythons.

[@mikecole1095]

@@icebergrose8955 I think they’re would have to be some serious climatic changes take place first, but one never knows 👍🏻

[@sheribrogden9247]

I live in Arkansas. We have seen python s in little rock in the city park areas. My friend sat down on a park bench, looked into the tree above her and saw one in the tree. She abandoned the park bench.

[@watchucme1]

nightmare fuel 🙃

[@killroyjohnson1256]

Did she go crazy? Lmao 🤣

[@kowalityjesus]

You have big time interesting topics that I've never heard covered elsewhere. Three videos are excellent educational tools reminiscent of traditional educational videos, very comfy indeed.

[@jdwilkins2000]

What a well made and informative video, well worth the time to watch!!

[@Turner.1]

They can spread right to the tip of my rifle, where, they will be stopped

[@chiapets2594]

If you see em in time

[@silverXnoise]

I like how we call them “invasive” rather than “imported”.

[@ruthretzke8785]

This is a very informative video. Do these pythons bite a victim first, put the sqweeze on it then, injest it? I sure do not like snakes, but they are beautifully marked. Thanks for this video.

[@Bornjamerican24]

Yes

[@MichaelScott-hp6es]

You are extremely right.nice meeting you here ruth.where are you from

[@donaldmackerer9032]

yes there are pythons big enough to kill and eat a human.

[@incognitonegress3453]

@@donaldmackerer9032 o lawd. 2 Greenland I go

[@samTollefson]

Very good video! Years ago I saw a photo of a building in New York City being demolished, A crane lifting up the basement slab revealed a huge python and tunnel system under it. there were rumors in the neighborhood of a large snake. It certainly had plenty of rats to eat. I don't think it was related to the alligators in the sewer though~~~

[@callmefatz3607]

In new York city 🧐🧐🧐🧐⁉️⁉️⁉️

[@samTollefson]

@@callmefatz3607 Yup, they figured it never got cold enough to kill the snake under the basement slab, and that it just went dormant through the cold months.

[@callmefatz3607]

@@samTollefson 😳😳😳 I’ve been googling ever since I read this comment

[@samTollefson]

@@callmefatz3607 I did also after your comment and all I got was about water leaks in NY basements. It was some years ago but I recall the photo was of a large crane with cables connected to the 4 corners of the slab (it was maybe 30' x 40') and the crane had lifted it up out of the hole and you could distinctly see a series of tunnels and a large (maybe 16') snake in the center of it. It was in some news feed but I don't recall which, and they definitely said New York City. I'll keep looking.

[@johnhilderbrand9204]

It was somebody's pet that got loose. Found a way to survive, But I guarantee you that was not a healthy animal...(poor thing) Exactly why I will not sell any of my baby retics to anyone who does not know what they are getting themselves into! Doing that to that animal was like taking you to Antarctica and dropping you off. It was probably incredibly aggressive as well. I would be😠

[@brightmooninthenight2111]

Very good video, but no mention of the Okefenokee swamp of south east Georgia. It is the largest blackwater swamp of all of North America. The winter here is the dry season, but our winters have numerous nights just below freezing. I'm praying that stops them, because Okefenokee is an incredible 450 thousand acre wilderness

[@bennettfender9927]

I live just an hour west of the Okefenokee and the idea that Pythons could live in this area is laughable while they’d thrive during the summer it gets far too cold during the winter months people fail to realize that there is a big difference in the Deep South conditions and those of South Florida during the winter months at least too very different regions climate and ecology wise. Point is come November at the latest those Pythons would be dead temps of 25 degrees Fahrenheit occur at least once per every winter so yeah don’t be worried about the Okefenokee Feral hogs are a much bigger issue for that particular region.

[@lowelllarsen5947]

Great analysis

[@dsl32]

In 2011 I believe Florida declared open season for Pythons

[@alsaunders7805]

I think that there is even a bounty on them. 🤓🍻

[@dsl32]

@@alsaunders7805 they are

[@lenarae3845]

@@timchamberlin9280 There is a sanctioned Python hunt (challenge they are calling it) in the Everglades starting this August 5th. Hunters also are paid for the snakes, the bigger the better, their skins are sold for leather craft such as boots, purses, jackets, etc.

[@lenarae3845]

@@timchamberlin9280 I'd imagine that Python hunting in The Everglades National Park may need approval from the wildlife authority there. Anyone should be legally allowed to kill one on their property. I just saw where they have registered hunts for alligators in the Everglades as well to cull them, when there are too many.

[@donaldmackerer9032]

​@@lenarae3845 now that's a great idea that's what they should have done years ago.

[@michaelmccullough7309]

There is a correlation between growth zones for plants and suitable habitat for pythons . This is shifting , spreading north as the planet grows warmer . Follow the updated data for growth zones and you’ll get a good idea of the possibilities.

[@danielwatson4864]

I would think where ever iguanas can adapt the pythons will too. So if ecosystems are too cold for the large lizard, it would also be uninhabitable for the large snakes!

[@leecowell8165]

The iguana's here in FL do NOT handle freeze very well at all. in fact it doesn't even have to reach freezing to kill them IF it remains there long enough.

[@danielwatson4864]

@@leecowell8165 I never seen video of the cold tolerance for large snakes and iguanas. Some may think the L-snake is more cold resistant. But keep in mind snakes burrow during cold snaps. Plus, I haven't heard of the tegu lizards falling from trees in Florida either! Do they go under ground too during cold weather?

[@starandfox601]

@@danielwatson4864 iguanas are more invasive cause people find them cute.so when people see them dying from the cold they "rescue" them and then release them. so what's inhabitable to a iguana is not to pythons.

[@enjoyslearningandtravel7957]

@@starandfox601 iguanas in Florida cause a lot of damage. They can sometimes dig burrows through dams and they collapse. I’m not talking about concrete dams of course. This can cause big problems in canals.

[@starandfox601]

@@enjoyslearningandtravel7957 and what does that have to do with people bringing them inside during cold snaps?

[@bcallahan3806]

Never underestimate nature's ability to adapt, oppossums were unheard of in Maine 40 years ago. Same was said too cold. They're here,now. Also don't forget the human factor. Human structures and infrastructure often provide very suitable places for a wide variety of species to winter over or find shelter when needed. Even snakes like water moccasins and eastern diamondbacks extend farther north than most people realize. Although I think you may be correct in short to mid time projections. Long run I have no doubt they could adapt to go that far north. If they needed to. Great Video

[@lloydmckay3241]

There are possums in Toronto.

[@bcallahan3806]

@@lloydmckay3241 don't doubt it. Your south of me in south in Maine But i assume have lake effect as well. Snow is good. No snow an subzero not so good for oppossums. But they're still kicking. How long they been there. Because last report was that was supposed to be the later invasion because of water and stuff. Other DUMB question is you have venomous snakes?

[@bcallahan3806]

DUMB question was supposed to be DO YOU HAVE VENOMOUS SNAKES? nothing diragatortry. Just interested from a personal view. Two largest land masses on earth in the northern hemisphere. They say yours is getting flooded. Others exploding.

[@bcallahan3806]

DUMB response. Venomous, poisonous. Toads are poisonous. Some snakes are top. Rather invite a rattler than you.

[@HkFinn83]

Reptiles are far more vulnerable to temperature changes though. There’s just no example of a similar snake being Abbie to tolerate these temps.

[@jonjames7328]

Lovely program with excellent information about reptile behaviour and adaptability. However I’m a Brit (used to be a herpatologist too) and I always love the US pronunciation of python as “pie-thon”. Just the same with the eponymous TV show. Best wishes and thanks.

[@rzbkfan190]

How do you pronounce it?

[@JohnAvillaHerpetocultural]

Yup. According to Tracy Barker 90% die off each year. They aren’t ever getting out of Florida.

[@casualearth-dandavis]

Thanks for the insight

[@JTCT371]

Here in NYC, we have an existing population of Anoles, which are native to Florida (as far as I know)....they thrive here, hide under house siding during winters....they've found a way to get through cold winters.....I think pythons can possibly find a way to survive here, though we may not see them as sizable as they get in warmer climates.

[@lilz]

No. No thank you. Nope. But also I could definitely see subway pythons being the new subway rats. and I guess they would have plenty of food

[@JTCT371]

@@lilz It sure would be warm enough down there for them. Lol....unlimited rats.lol

[@ringo1692]

@@JTCT371 it's like a plot for a movie, lol 😜👍

[@dancingnature]

Don’t forget the monk parrots which are common in Queens and Brooklyn. They escaped from Kennedy airport back in the 1970s . Their huge nests cause electrical fires on the electrical wire poles

[@JTCT371]

@@dancingnature are those the green parrots I see sometimes? Im in Staten Island.

[@PeterPanagakos-nb9mg]

Pythons will adapt, subspecies that can handle lower temperatures!

[@Yarrb53]

I was speaking to a Florida Wildlife Officer from Florida back in 2013, He wasn't convinced that this Python invasion was just accidental escapes during a hurricane or abandon pets. He thought some of these were Eco Terror.

[@dannyjoebrown4611]

Right, because people aren't just stupid and reckless. They are all super villain geniuses. Makes sense.

[@drdrew3]

I didn’t expect to find comments suggesting conspiracy theories on a video about snakes.

[@chiapets2594]

Could be some of that as well

[@AerialEscape]

As someone born and raised in Florida I can assure you that alligators eat more pythons than pythons eat alligators.

[@jeffthompson9622]

That makes sense. I'm sure there is a trade-off, with older pythons eating younger alligators and mature alligators thinning out young pythons.

[@tylerdavidson2400]

Do you realize these pythons even eat the mighty salties in Asia which are bigger and more aggressive than your Alligators?

[@AerialEscape]

@@tylerdavidson2400 babies don't count..

[@TammyM36]

Hope so!

[@zoology7764]

​@@jeffthompson9622they don't hunt adults but young salties even that's rare while it's unfair if you put even an 13 feet alligators and 20 feet python it's very unfair for the python

[@johnperic6860]

That USGS map is also idiotic because pythons can't survive in arid regions. Everything west of San Antonio, Texas is either too dry for pythons or it is blocked by an arid wall of desert. There is zero chance that pythons could ever get west of the Rio Grande.

[@arsena1816]

Animals adapt. You only need a few of the pythons to adapt to the winter and you have a major problem.

[@Rryan8065]

Not at all the case for a reptile, they are ectotherms and rely on their environment to regulate their body temperatures. They can’t simply become cold tolerant.