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These are the user uploaded subtitles that are being translated: 1 00:00:08,442 --> 00:00:11,010 FLORIDA -- A HOTSPOT FOR TOURISTS... 2 00:00:11,078 --> 00:00:13,412 AND EXOTIC PETS. 3 00:00:15,182 --> 00:00:18,517 A BURMESE PYTHON. 4 00:00:18,586 --> 00:00:20,619 THESE FOREIGN SNAKES ARE NOW LIVING WILD HERE. 5 00:00:22,857 --> 00:00:25,791 THE MASSIVE SERPENTS ARE INVADING SOUTHERN FLORIDA. 6 00:00:25,860 --> 00:00:28,260 THEY CAN GROW 26 FEET LONG 7 00:00:28,329 --> 00:00:33,432 AND BE AS THICK AS A TELEPHONE POLE. 8 00:00:33,501 --> 00:00:37,336 THESE PREDATORS ARE POWERFUL ENOUGH TO KILL PEOPLE. 9 00:00:37,405 --> 00:00:40,873 WE'RE GOING TO FOLLOW HUNTERS AS THEY TRACK THEM DOWN. 10 00:00:43,310 --> 00:00:46,211 FIND OUT WHAT THEY EAT. 11 00:00:46,280 --> 00:00:52,751 MEET SCIENTISTS INVESTIGATING THE SNAKES INSIDE AND OUT. 12 00:00:52,820 --> 00:00:56,755 CATCH GIANTS DEEP IN THE WILDERNESS. 13 00:00:59,560 --> 00:01:01,760 DISCOVER OTHER EXOTIC INVADERS.. 14 00:01:03,431 --> 00:01:09,068 AND ANALYZE A STRIKE. 15 00:01:47,875 --> 00:01:50,175 AS RECENTLY AS THE 1990s, 16 00:01:50,244 --> 00:01:53,879 THERE WERE HARDLY ANY WILD PYTHONS IN FLORIDA. 17 00:01:53,948 --> 00:01:59,618 NOW THERE ARE THOUSANDS, PERHAPS TENS OF THOUSANDS. 18 00:01:59,687 --> 00:02:03,422 SO HOW DID THIS INVASION START? 19 00:02:03,491 --> 00:02:07,559 IT REALLY IS A CASE OF SNAKES ON A PLANE. 20 00:02:07,628 --> 00:02:09,528 12,000 SHIPMENTS OF WILDLIFE 21 00:02:09,597 --> 00:02:14,433 ARRIVE EVERY YEAR THROUGH MIAMI. 22 00:02:14,502 --> 00:02:16,702 INCLUDING, IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS ALONE, 23 00:02:16,770 --> 00:02:20,305 OVER A 140,000 WILD-CAUGHT PYTHONS. 24 00:02:20,374 --> 00:02:24,176 THERE ARE OTHER EXOTIC ANIMALS, TOO -- 25 00:02:24,245 --> 00:02:27,579 THESE ARE GREEN IGUANAS. 26 00:02:29,550 --> 00:02:33,152 BABY BURMESE ARE JUST 20 INCHES LONG, 27 00:02:33,220 --> 00:02:38,590 BUT KEPT WARM AND WELL-FED, THEY GROW AND GROW. 28 00:02:42,563 --> 00:02:44,029 IN JUST A YEAR, 29 00:02:44,098 --> 00:02:48,934 A PYTHON CAN DOUBLE IN SIZE AND SWALLOW FROZEN RATS WHOLE. 30 00:02:52,706 --> 00:02:55,807 SOON, LARGE RABBITS ARE ON THE MENU. 31 00:03:02,316 --> 00:03:05,117 THE LARGEST CAPTIVE PYTHONS -- 32 00:03:05,186 --> 00:03:06,952 THIS IS A RETICULATED PYTHON -- 33 00:03:07,021 --> 00:03:09,254 REALLY GO WHOLE HOG. 34 00:03:09,323 --> 00:03:13,792 THEY CAN GOBBLE UP A PIG WITH EASE. 35 00:03:13,861 --> 00:03:18,664 MANY OWNERS ARE ASTOUNDED TO FIND THAT AT JUST 2 YEARS OLD, 36 00:03:18,732 --> 00:03:22,534 THEIR PET PYTHON MAY BE 11 TO 12 FEET LONG 37 00:03:22,603 --> 00:03:25,971 AND WEIGH ALMOST 200 POUNDS. 38 00:03:26,040 --> 00:03:29,775 SUDDENLY, THEY HAVE TOO MUCH SNAKE ON THEIR HANDS. 39 00:03:33,180 --> 00:03:35,614 THE RESULT IS THAT MANY UNWANTED PETS 40 00:03:35,683 --> 00:03:40,652 HAVE BEEN IRRESPONSIBLY RELEASED INTO THE WILD. 41 00:03:40,721 --> 00:03:47,793 BUT THE MAIN PYTHON INVASION FORCE WAS UNLEASHED BY STORMS. 42 00:03:47,861 --> 00:03:50,495 OVER THE YEARS, SOME OF FLORIDA'S ANIMAL WAREHOUSES 43 00:03:50,564 --> 00:03:52,998 HAVE BEEN HIT BY HURRICANES. 44 00:03:53,067 --> 00:03:57,703 SNAKES ESCAPED AND SLITHERED FREE. 45 00:04:06,614 --> 00:04:11,149 THE INVADERS OCCUPIED GROUND NEAR MIAMI. 46 00:04:11,218 --> 00:04:13,652 WITH PLENTY OF FOOD AND HIDING PLACES, 47 00:04:13,721 --> 00:04:17,623 THE HABITAT IS SIMILAR TO THEIR ORIGINAL ASIAN HOME. 48 00:04:20,995 --> 00:04:24,162 IT WASN'T LONG BEFORE THE SNAKES PUSHED DEEPER 49 00:04:24,231 --> 00:04:25,897 INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE STATE. 50 00:04:29,470 --> 00:04:31,937 SOUTHERN FLORIDA'S THOUSANDS OF MILES OF WATERWAYS 51 00:04:32,006 --> 00:04:35,641 PROVIDE A FREEWAY FOR PYTHONS TO TRAVEL. 52 00:04:42,116 --> 00:04:44,583 SNAKES SWIM GRACEFULLY IN ELEGANT CURVES, 53 00:04:44,652 --> 00:04:48,020 PUSHING AGAINST THE RESISTANCE OF THE WATER TO MOVE FORWARD. 54 00:04:52,459 --> 00:04:55,327 THE PYTHONS HAVE ENDURANCE, TOO -- 55 00:04:55,396 --> 00:04:58,930 THEY CAN SWIM AT LEAST SIX MILES WITHOUT STOPPING. 56 00:05:05,439 --> 00:05:07,673 PYTHONS USUALLY SWIM AT THE SURFACE, 57 00:05:07,741 --> 00:05:09,308 BUT IF THEY SENSE DANGER, 58 00:05:09,376 --> 00:05:11,810 THEY CAN HOLD THEIR BREATH FOR UP TO HALF AN HOUR. 59 00:05:16,283 --> 00:05:19,351 OCCASIONALLY, THEY AMBUSH PREY FROM THE WATER, 60 00:05:19,420 --> 00:05:24,556 BUT DRIER AREAS ARE GOOD HUNTING GROUNDS, TOO. 61 00:05:28,195 --> 00:05:31,396 THIS IS A NOW-DEFUNCT ROCKET TESTING SITE 62 00:05:31,465 --> 00:05:33,865 JUST 20 MILES FROM MIAMI. 63 00:05:33,934 --> 00:05:37,369 IT'S PRIME PYTHON HABITAT. 64 00:05:37,438 --> 00:05:39,471 HERPETOLOGIST SHAWN HEFLICK 65 00:05:39,540 --> 00:05:43,542 HAS A PERMIT TO HUNT DOWN PYTHONS. 66 00:05:43,610 --> 00:05:45,344 HE'S HOLDING THE RED BALLOONS 67 00:05:45,412 --> 00:05:48,513 BECAUSE THEY MAKE PERFECT TARGETS FOR A STRIKING SNAKE. 68 00:05:53,854 --> 00:05:56,621 Heflick: BURMESE PYTHONS -- DOCILE IN CAPTIVITY 69 00:05:56,690 --> 00:06:00,125 BUT A WHOLE DIFFERENT BALLGAME IN THE WILD. 70 00:06:02,463 --> 00:06:04,363 HO HO! 71 00:06:04,431 --> 00:06:07,766 Abraham: NOW, THE ACTION IS SLOWED DOWN 72 00:06:07,835 --> 00:06:09,368 OVER 200 TIMES. 73 00:06:09,436 --> 00:06:14,306 AT THIS SPEED, A STRIKE IS AWE-INSPIRING. 74 00:06:24,184 --> 00:06:27,486 PYTHONS HAVE HEAT-SENSING PITS ON THEIR FACES... 75 00:06:30,090 --> 00:06:31,690 SO THEY EASILY LOCK 76 00:06:31,759 --> 00:06:34,760 ONTO A BALLOON FILLED WITH WARM WATER. 77 00:06:52,479 --> 00:06:53,712 Heflick: GOT TO PICK UP MY TRASH, 78 00:06:53,781 --> 00:06:58,517 OH! THEN, I'VE GOT TO GET THIS GUY. 79 00:06:58,585 --> 00:07:01,386 THIS IS A LITTLE MALE. MALES HAVE LARGER SPURS, 80 00:07:01,455 --> 00:07:06,792 AND THEY UTILIZE THESE TO TICKLE THE FEMALE DURING BREEDING. 81 00:07:06,860 --> 00:07:09,528 WHAT I'VE GOT TO DO IS GET THIS GUY BAGGED, 82 00:07:09,596 --> 00:07:11,163 HE DOESN'T BELONG HERE. 83 00:07:14,301 --> 00:07:16,601 LET'S GO SEE IF WE CAN FIND SOME MORE. 84 00:07:18,472 --> 00:07:20,772 Abraham: SHAWN'S CHANCES ARE GOOD. 85 00:07:20,841 --> 00:07:24,109 PYTHONS CAN BE THICK ON THE GROUND HERE. 86 00:07:33,654 --> 00:07:37,088 Heflick: WONDERFUL ANIMAL. 87 00:07:37,157 --> 00:07:39,157 LOOKS LIKE A MALE. 88 00:07:39,226 --> 00:07:44,463 WHOA! THAT'S WHAT THEY DO, THEY ARE A FAST-STRIKING PREDATOR. 89 00:07:44,531 --> 00:07:48,800 GOT TO GET HIM RIGHT BEHIND THE HEAD. 90 00:07:48,869 --> 00:07:53,939 OH! LOOK AT THAT MOUTH, FULL OF TEETH, BUT YOU CAN'T SEE 'EM 91 00:07:54,007 --> 00:07:55,340 BECAUSE THEY'RE COVERED BY GUMS -- 92 00:07:55,409 --> 00:07:56,708 NOT LIKE A VENOMOUS SNAKE. 93 00:07:56,777 --> 00:08:00,912 BUT I'VE GOT A SKULL IN MY POCKET OF A BURMESE PYTHON. 94 00:08:00,981 --> 00:08:04,349 AND YOU CAN SEE FOUR ROWS ON THE TOP. 95 00:08:04,418 --> 00:08:06,852 THEN THERE ARE ANOTHER TWO ROWS ON THE BOTTOM, 96 00:08:06,920 --> 00:08:10,822 THE RECURVED TEETH, ABOUT A HUNDRED OR SO. 97 00:08:10,891 --> 00:08:14,125 THEY USE IT TO SECURE THEIR PREY, LATCH ON, 98 00:08:14,194 --> 00:08:18,663 THEY THROW A COIL AROUND IT, AND THEN THEY SUFFOCATE IT. 99 00:08:18,732 --> 00:08:22,434 AND ALSO, IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY, 100 00:08:22,503 --> 00:08:27,405 YOU CAN SEE TWO PITS THAT ARE HEAT-SENSING, 101 00:08:27,474 --> 00:08:30,308 AND THAT'S HOW THEY FIND THEIR WARM-BLOODED PREY 102 00:08:30,377 --> 00:08:32,644 AND THAT'S HOW THE OTHER ONE 103 00:08:32,713 --> 00:08:36,147 DETECTED THE WARMTH OF THE WATER IN THAT BALLOON. 104 00:08:36,216 --> 00:08:41,253 THIS GUY IS TRULY A MAGNIFICENT ANIMAL. 105 00:08:43,590 --> 00:08:47,592 ALL RIGHT, IN YOU GO, INTO A NEW HOME. 106 00:08:50,797 --> 00:08:52,597 GREAT ANIMAL. 107 00:08:52,666 --> 00:08:54,799 Abraham: SHAWN'S PAIR OF SNAKES 108 00:08:54,868 --> 00:08:57,168 WILL HARDLY DENT THE PYTHON ARMY. 109 00:08:57,237 --> 00:09:02,507 NEARBY, IN THE SHALLOW WATERS OF EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, 110 00:09:02,576 --> 00:09:06,077 TENS OF THOUSANDS OF BURMESE PYTHONS THRIVE. 111 00:09:09,850 --> 00:09:15,020 THE WATER SLIDES SLOWLY THROUGH GREAT SWATHS OF SAW GRASS. 112 00:09:19,026 --> 00:09:22,160 WHERE THERE'S HIGHER GROUND, FORESTS OF SLASH PINES 113 00:09:22,229 --> 00:09:24,062 AND OTHER TREES GROW. 114 00:09:27,301 --> 00:09:32,704 WATER FLOWS TOWARD THE SEA AT A QUARTER OF A MILE A DAY. 115 00:09:32,773 --> 00:09:35,240 CYPRESS TREES THRIVE IN THE SHALLOWS 116 00:09:35,309 --> 00:09:40,278 AND CAN TOWER 120 FEET INTO THE SKY. 117 00:09:40,347 --> 00:09:43,748 AT FLORIDA BAY, 118 00:09:43,817 --> 00:09:45,951 THE RIVER SPILLS INTO THE OCEAN 119 00:09:46,019 --> 00:09:47,852 AND MANGROVES FLOURISH. 120 00:09:49,356 --> 00:09:55,060 THIS WILDERNESS IS FAMOUS WORLD-WIDE FOR ITS WATERBIRDS... 121 00:09:55,128 --> 00:09:57,829 AND OTHER FABULOUS WILDLIFE. 122 00:10:03,303 --> 00:10:07,172 IN THEIR ASIAN HOMELAND, PYTHONS EAT WATERBIRDS. 123 00:10:07,240 --> 00:10:09,774 COULD THIS CORMORANT IN THE EVERGLADES 124 00:10:09,843 --> 00:10:11,810 BECOME PREY TO A PYTHON? 125 00:10:17,050 --> 00:10:20,819 PERHAPS ANHINGAS ARE ON THE MENU TOO. 126 00:10:20,887 --> 00:10:23,355 THEY'RE A COMMON SIGHT HERE. 127 00:10:23,423 --> 00:10:27,158 UNLIKE DUCKS, THEY DON'T HAVE WATERPROOF FEATHERS. 128 00:10:27,227 --> 00:10:32,731 WET PLUMAGE MAKES IT EASIER FOR THEM TO GET UNDERWATER FAST. 129 00:10:32,799 --> 00:10:34,899 THEY'RE ALSO CALLED SNAKE BIRDS, 130 00:10:34,968 --> 00:10:38,570 AND YOU CAN SEE WHY WHEN THEY SURFACE. 131 00:10:45,045 --> 00:10:46,878 THEY DON'T SEIZE THEIR PREY WITH THEIR BEAKS, 132 00:10:46,947 --> 00:10:50,582 THESE BIRDS ARE SPEAR FISHERS. 133 00:10:52,219 --> 00:10:56,121 THE UNFORTUNATE FISH HAS BEEN IMPALED ON A RAZOR-SHARP BILL. 134 00:10:59,559 --> 00:11:04,162 IT TAKES A BIT OF FANCY BEAK-WORK TO FREE THE FISH. 135 00:11:11,471 --> 00:11:15,173 THERE ARE RESIDENT REPTILES HERE, TOO. 136 00:11:15,242 --> 00:11:19,277 COULD PYTHONS HAVE AN IMPACT ON THEM? 137 00:11:19,346 --> 00:11:22,947 THE LARGEST NATIVE SNAKE IN THE U.S. IS THIS ONE. 138 00:11:23,016 --> 00:11:25,917 THE EASTERN INDIGO SNAKE. 139 00:11:25,986 --> 00:11:29,621 THEY'RE AN ENDANGERED SPECIES. 140 00:11:29,690 --> 00:11:32,157 THEIR FAVORITE HABITAT IS LONG LEAF PINE. 141 00:11:32,225 --> 00:11:37,629 95% OF THAT HAS BEEN CLEARED BY PEOPLE. 142 00:11:37,698 --> 00:11:41,266 AT FIRST GLANCE, THEY LOOK JET-BLACK, 143 00:11:41,334 --> 00:11:45,837 BUT IN THE SUN THEY SPARKLE LIKE JEWELS. 144 00:11:45,906 --> 00:11:48,073 MICROSCOPIC RIDGES ON THE SNAKE'S SKIN 145 00:11:48,141 --> 00:11:51,710 REFLECT AND SPLIT LIGHT INTO DIFFERENT WAVELENGTHS. 146 00:11:55,449 --> 00:11:57,749 IT'S A NON-VENOMOUS SPECIES. 147 00:11:57,818 --> 00:12:03,688 THE BIGGEST ONE EVER CAUGHT WAS 8 1/2 FEET. 148 00:12:03,757 --> 00:12:08,693 THE INDIGO MAY HAVE ONCE BEEN THE BIGGEST SNAKE IN AMERICA, 149 00:12:08,762 --> 00:12:11,663 BUT IT'S DWARFED BY THE BURMESE PYTHON. 150 00:12:16,036 --> 00:12:18,603 A LARGE INDIGO SNAKE MIGHT 151 00:12:18,672 --> 00:12:21,740 TIP THE SCALES AT 13 POUNDS. 152 00:12:21,808 --> 00:12:26,377 AN ADULT BURMESE CAN BE 15 TIMES HEAVIER. 153 00:12:26,446 --> 00:12:30,048 THE INVADER CERTAINLY PUTS THE INDIGO IN THE SHADE. 154 00:12:32,052 --> 00:12:35,286 PYTHONS COULD POSE A THREAT TO NATIVE SNAKES 155 00:12:35,355 --> 00:12:37,956 BY COMPETING FOR FOOD AND OCCUPYING 156 00:12:38,024 --> 00:12:39,491 THE BEST LAIRS. 157 00:12:42,729 --> 00:12:43,995 THE EVERGLADES ARE FAMOUS 158 00:12:44,064 --> 00:12:47,665 FOR REPTILIAN PREDATORS OF THEIR OWN... 159 00:12:49,503 --> 00:12:51,836 ALLIGATORS. 160 00:12:51,905 --> 00:12:57,709 CAN THE PYTHON MUSCLE IN ON EVEN THESE GIANTS? 161 00:13:01,481 --> 00:13:04,382 TO ATTRACT MATES AND DETER RIVALS, 162 00:13:04,451 --> 00:13:07,786 MALES GENERATE SUCH LOW, LOUD ROARS, 163 00:13:07,854 --> 00:13:11,156 THE WATER AROUND THEM DANCES. 164 00:13:16,062 --> 00:13:18,163 ALLIGATORS WERE ONCE THE UNDISPUTED 165 00:13:18,231 --> 00:13:21,533 REPTILE KINGS OF THE EVERGLADES. 166 00:13:21,601 --> 00:13:25,203 BUT WHEN PUSH COMES TO SHOVE, WHO WOULD WIN A BATTLE NOW? 167 00:13:25,272 --> 00:13:26,871 ALLIGATOR... 168 00:13:26,940 --> 00:13:29,541 OR PYTHON? 169 00:13:29,609 --> 00:13:33,711 IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHICH ONE IS BIGGER. 170 00:13:48,361 --> 00:13:50,562 A LARGE GATOR CAN BITE DOWN 171 00:13:50,630 --> 00:13:53,565 WITH OVER 2,000 POUNDS OF FORCE. 172 00:13:56,937 --> 00:14:00,205 A WELL-AIMED BITE ON A PYTHON'S HEAD KILLS IT 173 00:14:00,273 --> 00:14:01,906 ALMOST INSTANTLY. 174 00:14:06,880 --> 00:14:11,349 BUT THE ALLIGATOR HAS BITTEN OFF MORE THAN IT CAN CHEW. 175 00:14:11,418 --> 00:14:17,622 THE SNAKE IS TOO LARGE TO SWALLOW. 176 00:14:17,691 --> 00:14:19,490 STASHING THE SERPENT UNDERWATER 177 00:14:19,559 --> 00:14:21,793 WILL ALLOW THE GATOR TO RETURN TO BITE OFF CHUNKS, 178 00:14:21,862 --> 00:14:24,162 ONCE THE FLESH HAS ROTTED. 179 00:14:27,500 --> 00:14:29,767 BIG GATORS CERTAINLY KILL PYTHONS 180 00:14:29,836 --> 00:14:32,971 BUT THE TABLES CAN BE TURNED. 181 00:14:36,109 --> 00:14:39,844 PYTHONS BEGIN WITH A LIGHTNING-FAST STRIKE. 182 00:14:39,913 --> 00:14:44,816 THIS ONE GRABBED A GATOR WITH ITS RAZOR-SHARP TEETH. 183 00:14:51,391 --> 00:14:55,827 LACKING VENOM, IT HAD TO USE MUSCLE-POWER TO KILL ITS VICTIM. 184 00:15:01,735 --> 00:15:05,370 NEW RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT AS A SNAKE'S COILS TIGHTEN, 185 00:15:05,438 --> 00:15:08,606 THEY CAUSE A SHARP RISE IN THE PREY'S BLOOD PRESSURE. 186 00:15:11,511 --> 00:15:13,912 SO, THE ALLIGATOR IS AS LIKELY TO HAVE DIED 187 00:15:13,980 --> 00:15:18,182 FROM BURST BLOOD VESSELS AS FROM SUFFOCATION. 188 00:15:21,721 --> 00:15:25,556 SNAKE SKIN IS SO FLEXIBLE, IT CAN BE STRETCHED AROUND 189 00:15:25,625 --> 00:15:27,425 THE LARGEST OF MEALS WITHOUT TEARING, 190 00:15:27,494 --> 00:15:30,194 EVEN A TOUGH, ARMORED ALLIGATOR. 191 00:15:34,234 --> 00:15:37,568 IN A MATTER OF DAYS, POWERFUL STOMACH ACID 192 00:15:37,637 --> 00:15:41,072 WILL COMPLETELY DISSOLVE THE MEAL. 193 00:15:43,476 --> 00:15:46,911 THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE FEAT -- THE PYTHON HAS 194 00:15:46,980 --> 00:15:51,382 SWALLOWED AN ALLIGATOR HALF AS LARGE AS ITSELF. 195 00:15:53,653 --> 00:15:55,753 BUT SOMETHING JUST AS REMARKABLE 196 00:15:55,822 --> 00:15:57,588 IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN INSIDE THE SNAKE. 197 00:15:57,657 --> 00:16:02,193 HOW DOES IT COPE WITH THIS MASSIVE MEAL? 198 00:16:03,997 --> 00:16:08,299 TO LEARN HOW THAT HAPPENS AND MORE ABOUT SNAKE PHYSIOLOGY, 199 00:16:08,368 --> 00:16:11,769 SCIENTISTS EMPLOY SOME HIGH-TECH PROCEDURES. 200 00:16:17,711 --> 00:16:21,646 IN CAPTIVITY, RATS, NOT ALLIGATORS, ARE ON THE MENU. 201 00:16:23,883 --> 00:16:26,451 Man: ALL RIGHT, HE'S GOT IT NOW. 202 00:16:31,057 --> 00:16:32,957 Abraham: STEPHEN SECOR IS A PROFESSOR 203 00:16:33,026 --> 00:16:36,961 AND TEAM LEADER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA. 204 00:16:37,030 --> 00:16:42,266 HE WANTS TO UNDERSTAND HOW SNAKES CAN STOMACH THEIR PREY. 205 00:16:42,335 --> 00:16:45,036 Secor: WHAT AN AMAZING ANIMAL THE PYTHON IS. 206 00:16:45,105 --> 00:16:47,839 CONSIDER -- HERE'S AN ANIMAL THAT CAN GO A MONTH, 207 00:16:47,907 --> 00:16:50,108 EVEN A YEAR WITHOUT EATING, AND THEN ABLE 208 00:16:50,176 --> 00:16:53,077 TO CAPTURE, INGEST AND DIGEST A MEAL 209 00:16:53,146 --> 00:16:55,813 THAT'S EQUAL TO HALF ITS OWN BODY SIZE. 210 00:17:01,454 --> 00:17:05,790 Abraham: AN X-RAY WILL PROBE THE SNAKE'S SECRETS. 211 00:17:05,859 --> 00:17:08,893 Secor: ALL RIGHT, LET'S GET HIM STRETCHED OUT. 212 00:17:08,962 --> 00:17:11,396 OKAY, GET HIM IN THE CENTER. 213 00:17:16,536 --> 00:17:17,969 RELAXED. 214 00:17:18,038 --> 00:17:19,037 OKAY, YOU READY? 215 00:17:19,105 --> 00:17:20,671 Secor: GOOD, YEP. 216 00:17:20,740 --> 00:17:22,974 YESTERDAY, THIS SNAKE ATE A MASSIVE MEAL. 217 00:17:23,043 --> 00:17:24,375 THE RAT IT CONSUMED 218 00:17:24,444 --> 00:17:27,445 WEIGHED MORE THAN A THIRD OF THE SNAKE'S OWN BODY MASS. 219 00:17:27,514 --> 00:17:29,447 WE'RE NOW X-RAYING THE SNAKE SO THAT 220 00:17:29,516 --> 00:17:32,150 WE CAN TRACK THE BREAKDOWN OF THE PREY, THE RAT, 221 00:17:32,218 --> 00:17:33,384 WITHIN THE SNAKE'S STOMACH. 222 00:17:33,453 --> 00:17:34,719 Man: RELAX A LITTLE BIT. 223 00:17:34,788 --> 00:17:36,220 Secor: ARE YOU READY? 224 00:17:36,289 --> 00:17:38,589 Man: ALL RIGHT, OOPS WAIT -- OKAY, GO... 225 00:17:38,658 --> 00:17:40,158 Secor: OKAY? Man: YEP -- GOT IT. 226 00:17:40,226 --> 00:17:42,293 Secor: GREAT. 227 00:17:43,730 --> 00:17:46,631 WHAT WE SEE HERE IS THE RAT INSIDE THE PYTHON'S STOMACH 228 00:17:46,699 --> 00:17:47,965 THAT WE JUST X-RAYED. 229 00:17:48,034 --> 00:17:51,669 WE HAVE THE FULL RAT SKULL -- THE UPPER JAW, LOWER JAW, 230 00:17:51,738 --> 00:17:54,472 AND ALL THE BONES ARE STILL INTACT. 231 00:17:54,541 --> 00:17:56,207 SO THIS IS THE SNAKE'S STOMACH, 232 00:17:56,276 --> 00:17:58,843 IT ONLY ENCOMPASSES THIS PART OF THE RAT. 233 00:17:58,912 --> 00:18:01,946 SO THIS PART GETS BROKEN DOWN FIRST, AND THE REST OF THE RAT, 234 00:18:02,015 --> 00:18:04,482 WHICH RIGHT NOW IS IN THE ESOPHAGUS, 235 00:18:04,551 --> 00:18:06,717 WILL THEN MOVE FORWARD AND MOVE INTO THE STOMACH 236 00:18:06,786 --> 00:18:09,921 AND THEN BE BROKEN DOWN BY THE HYDROCHLORIC ACID 237 00:18:09,989 --> 00:18:11,355 AND THE ENZYME PEPSIN. 238 00:18:11,424 --> 00:18:13,624 WITHIN SIX DAYS, WHAT'S GOING TO BE AMAZING 239 00:18:13,693 --> 00:18:17,261 IS THIS RAT WILL BE COMPLETELY GONE. 240 00:18:17,330 --> 00:18:21,199 THIS IS AN X-RAY OF AN ALLIGATOR CONSUMED BY A PYTHON. 241 00:18:21,267 --> 00:18:22,533 NOW WE KNOW IN THE EVERGLADES 242 00:18:22,602 --> 00:18:24,802 THAT PYTHONS ARE EATING ALLIGATORS 243 00:18:24,871 --> 00:18:26,671 AND THEY CAN DO SO QUITE EFFICIENTLY. 244 00:18:26,739 --> 00:18:30,074 WITHIN ONE DAY, WE START SEEING A LITTLE BIT OF BREAKDOWN 245 00:18:30,143 --> 00:18:32,076 OCCURRING IN THE SNOUT OF THE ALLIGATOR. 246 00:18:32,145 --> 00:18:33,111 BY TWO DAYS, 247 00:18:33,179 --> 00:18:34,812 HALF THE SKULL IS MISSING, 248 00:18:34,881 --> 00:18:38,182 PARTS OF THE FORELIMB HAVE ALREADY BEEN BROKEN DOWN. 249 00:18:38,251 --> 00:18:42,587 AT THREE DAYS, ONLY A SMALL PART OF THE SKULL IS REMAINING. 250 00:18:42,655 --> 00:18:45,490 AT FOUR DAYS AFTER FEEDING, 251 00:18:45,558 --> 00:18:47,859 PRETTY MUCH ALL WE HAVE IS PARTS OF THE HIND-LIMBS 252 00:18:47,927 --> 00:18:50,795 AND A LITTLE BIT OF THE ALLIGATOR'S TAIL. 253 00:18:50,864 --> 00:18:54,599 BY FIVE DAYS JUST A SCATTERING OF SMALL BONES. 254 00:18:54,667 --> 00:18:55,933 AND AT SIX DAYS 255 00:18:56,002 --> 00:18:57,668 IT'S ALL GONE, 256 00:18:57,737 --> 00:18:59,770 EVERYTHING HAS BEEN BROKEN DOWN 257 00:18:59,839 --> 00:19:02,306 AND PASSED INTO THE SMALL INTESTINE. 258 00:19:02,375 --> 00:19:04,375 THESE SNAKES HAVE A TREMENDOUS CAPACITY 259 00:19:04,444 --> 00:19:06,344 TO BREAK DOWN ANY PREY ITEM WITHIN THEIR STOMACH. 260 00:19:06,412 --> 00:19:11,949 THEY ARE EXTREMELY EFFICIENT HUNTERS AND DIGESTERS. 261 00:19:12,018 --> 00:19:14,552 IN OUR STUDIES ON THE DIGESTIVE EFFICIENCY OF PYTHONS, 262 00:19:14,621 --> 00:19:18,322 WE'VE ESTIMATED THAT AN ADULT PYTHON, 263 00:19:18,391 --> 00:19:21,025 ABOUT 12 FEET LONG IN THE EVERGLADES, WOULD HAVE 264 00:19:21,094 --> 00:19:24,762 CONSUMED 70 DEER MICE, 30 COTTON RATS, 15 SQUIRRELS, 265 00:19:24,831 --> 00:19:27,598 A DOZEN RABBITS AND SEVERAL RACCOONS. 266 00:19:27,667 --> 00:19:32,637 Abraham: IT TAKES A LOT OF FOOD TO GROW A 12-FOOT PYTHON. 267 00:19:32,705 --> 00:19:35,039 NATIVE ANIMALS COULD BE UNDER THREAT, 268 00:19:35,108 --> 00:19:37,208 INCLUDING THE 36 SPECIES 269 00:19:37,277 --> 00:19:41,012 THAT ARE FEDERALLY PROTECTED IN THE NATIONAL PARK. 270 00:19:41,080 --> 00:19:44,582 WOOD STORKS ARE ONE OF THEM. 271 00:19:44,651 --> 00:19:47,552 THEY HAVE A WINGSPAN OF UP TO 6 FEET, 272 00:19:47,620 --> 00:19:49,921 MORE THAN THE HEIGHT OF AN AVERAGE MAN. 273 00:19:52,792 --> 00:19:55,493 FEWER THAN 10,000 PAIRS REMAIN. 274 00:19:59,799 --> 00:20:02,600 THE STORKS HAVE BEEN MAKING A COMEBACK LATELY, 275 00:20:02,669 --> 00:20:05,770 BUT WITH BURMESE PYTHONS IN THEIR BACKYARD, 276 00:20:05,838 --> 00:20:08,039 THE RECOVERY COULD STALL. 277 00:20:11,311 --> 00:20:15,213 YOUNGER, LIGHTWEIGHT PYTHONS ARE EXPERT CLIMBERS. 278 00:20:15,281 --> 00:20:18,282 CHICKS COULD BE SEIZED AND SWALLOWED BY THEM. 279 00:20:21,354 --> 00:20:24,689 A SINGLE SNAKE COULDN'T DEVASTATE A WHOLE COLONY 280 00:20:24,757 --> 00:20:26,591 BUT ITS PRESENCE IS WORRISOME. 281 00:20:30,496 --> 00:20:32,997 TO DISCOVER WHETHER PYTHONS POSE A REAL THREAT, 282 00:20:33,066 --> 00:20:38,169 SCIENTISTS NEED INGENIOUS SURVEILLANCE TECHNIQUES. 283 00:20:38,238 --> 00:20:40,338 OKAY, YOU WANT TO GO RIGHT OVER IT? 284 00:20:40,406 --> 00:20:43,541 Abraham: THE PYTHON SCIENCE SUPPORT TEAM IS TRACKING 285 00:20:43,610 --> 00:20:46,077 WILD SNAKES IN THE NATIONAL PARK. 286 00:20:46,145 --> 00:20:50,314 SOMEWHERE BELOW, THERE'S A SNAKE CARRYING A LOCATOR DEVICE. 287 00:20:53,019 --> 00:20:55,653 MIKE ROCHFORD IS A PYTHON RESEARCHER. 288 00:20:55,722 --> 00:20:58,489 I'VE GOT THE GPS POINT HERE OF THE LAST TIME 289 00:20:58,558 --> 00:21:01,092 WE SAW THE SNAKE, AND WE'RE CIRCLING AROUND 290 00:21:01,160 --> 00:21:02,927 AND WE'RE GOING TO TRY AND LISTEN FOR THE SIGNAL. 291 00:21:02,996 --> 00:21:05,196 AND ONCE WE START TO HEAR A SIGNAL, 292 00:21:05,265 --> 00:21:09,066 WE'RE GOING TO DROP DOWN AND TRY AND PINPOINT THE LOCATION. 293 00:21:11,671 --> 00:21:13,471 Abraham: IT'S A MONUMENTAL TASK. 294 00:21:13,539 --> 00:21:15,573 THE NATIONAL PARK COVERS 295 00:21:15,642 --> 00:21:19,510 A VAST 2,500 SQUARE MILES. 296 00:21:19,579 --> 00:21:24,181 Rochford: OKAY, I HEARD THAT SNAKE PRETTY LOUD RIGHT THERE, 297 00:21:24,250 --> 00:21:26,050 SO WHAT I DID IS I WENT AHEAD AND TOOK A WAY-POINT, 298 00:21:26,119 --> 00:21:28,452 AND THAT WAY WE'VE GOT THE EXACT COORDINATES. 299 00:21:31,791 --> 00:21:35,092 Abraham: THEY'VE ACQUIRED THEIR TARGET. 300 00:21:35,161 --> 00:21:37,128 NOW IT'S TIME TO DROP IN ON THE PYTHON. 301 00:21:41,601 --> 00:21:45,403 IF THEY'RE LUCKY, THEY'LL FIND MORE THAN ONE. 302 00:21:45,471 --> 00:21:47,872 REMARKABLY, THE RESEARCHERS HAVE DISCOVERED 303 00:21:47,940 --> 00:21:52,410 THAT TAGGED FEMALE SNAKES CAN LEAD THEM TO OTHER PYTHONS. 304 00:21:54,647 --> 00:21:57,148 THEY'RE HOPING THE ONE THEY'RE TRAILING TODAY 305 00:21:57,216 --> 00:21:58,382 WILL BECOME AN INFORMER 306 00:21:58,451 --> 00:22:01,152 AND DELIVER OTHER SNAKES INTO THEIR HANDS. 307 00:22:05,458 --> 00:22:07,158 THEY'RE CLOSING IN, 308 00:22:07,226 --> 00:22:10,328 BUT WILL THEIR TAGGED PYTHON HAVE OTHERS FOLLOWING HER? 309 00:22:14,600 --> 00:22:16,967 Man: SO MIKE, THIS IS WHERE WE FOUND HER ORIGINALLY, 310 00:22:17,036 --> 00:22:18,636 SHE'D MATTED DOWN ALL THIS AREA 311 00:22:18,705 --> 00:22:21,205 SO THAT SHE COULD GET UP OUT OF THE WATER AND BASK BETTER. 312 00:22:21,274 --> 00:22:23,541 Abraham: TO LEVEL AN AREA THAT SIZE, 313 00:22:23,609 --> 00:22:26,911 THE PYTHON THEY'RE AFTER MUST BE HUGE. 314 00:22:28,748 --> 00:22:29,847 Woman: THAT'D BE THE HOLE! 315 00:22:29,916 --> 00:22:31,082 Rochford: ALL RIGHT. 316 00:22:36,322 --> 00:22:38,556 [ RADIO STATIC, BEEP ] 317 00:22:38,624 --> 00:22:40,558 THAT'S WHAT WE LIKE TO HEAR. 318 00:22:40,626 --> 00:22:43,027 YEAH, WE'RE GETTING A GOOD SIGNAL NOW. 319 00:22:44,664 --> 00:22:47,631 Abraham: PYTHONS CAN JUST MELT AWAY INTO THE SURROUNDINGS. 320 00:22:47,700 --> 00:22:51,635 THE TEAM IS JUST YARDS AWAY FROM AN ENORMOUS SNAKE, 321 00:22:51,704 --> 00:22:56,140 BUT WITHOUT RADIO-TRACKING, THEY'D NEVER FIND HER. 322 00:22:56,209 --> 00:22:58,042 [ MONITOR BEEPING ] 323 00:22:58,111 --> 00:23:01,278 Man: I THINK SHE MAY BE IN THIS MOUND, ACTUALLY. 324 00:23:01,347 --> 00:23:03,147 Rochford: YEP, I SEE HER RIGHT BACK HERE. 325 00:23:03,216 --> 00:23:05,850 Woman: YEP, ALL COILED UP. 326 00:23:05,918 --> 00:23:07,718 Woman: WATCH OUT. 327 00:23:10,957 --> 00:23:12,790 Man: WHOA, WATCH YOUR FEET. 328 00:23:12,859 --> 00:23:13,891 Woman: THERE SHE IS! 329 00:23:19,665 --> 00:23:22,066 Rochford: SHE'S BEHAVING AT THE MOMENT. 330 00:23:22,135 --> 00:23:24,802 SO WE WANT TO GO AHEAD AND LOOK FOR THE SUTURES 331 00:23:24,871 --> 00:23:28,172 WHERE WE IMPLANTED THE RADIO TRANSMITTERS. 332 00:23:28,241 --> 00:23:30,207 LOOKS LIKE IT'S HOLDING UP WELL -- 333 00:23:30,276 --> 00:23:33,144 WE DON'T HAVE A GAPING WOUND OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. 334 00:23:34,480 --> 00:23:37,181 OKAY, HERE'S THE SECOND SUTURE RIGHT HERE, 335 00:23:37,250 --> 00:23:40,084 AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S HEALING UP PRETTY WELL. 336 00:23:40,153 --> 00:23:43,654 SO, LOOKS LIKE SHE'S A HEALTHY SNAKE 337 00:23:43,723 --> 00:23:46,991 AND I THINK WE CAN GO AHEAD AND RELEASE HER AGAIN. 338 00:23:49,595 --> 00:23:51,228 Abraham: AT AROUND 15 FEET, 339 00:23:51,297 --> 00:23:56,000 THIS IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST WILD SNAKES EVER FOUND IN FLORIDA. 340 00:23:56,068 --> 00:23:58,636 Man: ALL RIGHT, READY? 341 00:24:04,877 --> 00:24:07,344 Abraham: THE TEAM HAS A VERY GOOD REASON FOR LETTING HER GO. 342 00:24:08,981 --> 00:24:11,816 IT'S JUNE, THE BREEDING SEASON. 343 00:24:11,884 --> 00:24:13,083 AT THIS TIME, 344 00:24:13,152 --> 00:24:16,120 LARGE FEMALES WILL OFTEN HAVE AN ENTOURAGE. 345 00:24:19,859 --> 00:24:22,827 THE TEAM SOON SPIES A SECOND, SMALLER SNAKE. 346 00:24:22,895 --> 00:24:23,994 Woman: PYTHON! 347 00:24:27,900 --> 00:24:29,800 Man: THERE'S ONE. 348 00:24:32,405 --> 00:24:33,938 Abraham: TWO MALES HAVE BEEN FOUND, 349 00:24:34,006 --> 00:24:37,641 NOT FAR FROM THE LARGE FEMALE. 350 00:24:37,710 --> 00:24:39,677 Man: YEAH, THE FEMALE, SHE MUST BE BREEDING 351 00:24:39,745 --> 00:24:42,012 IF THERE'S MALES LIKE THIS AROUND. 352 00:24:42,081 --> 00:24:44,915 YOU GOT THAT ONE UNDER CONTROL, THERESA? 353 00:24:44,984 --> 00:24:46,851 Theresa: YEAH. 354 00:24:46,919 --> 00:24:49,053 Rochford: WE GOT ANOTHER ONE OVER HERE. 355 00:24:50,890 --> 00:24:53,591 Abraham: MIKE'S MALE BRINGS THE TOTAL TO THREE, 356 00:24:53,659 --> 00:24:56,660 ALL ATTRACTED BY THE PRESENCE OF THE FEMALE. 357 00:24:56,729 --> 00:24:58,863 ALL SET. 358 00:24:58,931 --> 00:25:01,765 Abraham: SHE'S EXPOSED THE SUITORS 359 00:25:01,834 --> 00:25:04,001 THAT HAVE COME TO COURT HER. 360 00:25:09,909 --> 00:25:12,443 THE CAPTURED MALES WILL HELP CONFIRM 361 00:25:12,512 --> 00:25:17,348 WHAT'S ON THE MENU FOR THESE SNAKES IN FLORIDA. 362 00:25:19,852 --> 00:25:23,954 SKIP SNOW HEADS THE EVERGLADES PYTHON SCIENCE SUPPORT TEAM. 363 00:25:26,192 --> 00:25:28,292 Snow: OKAY, IT'S TIME TO TAKE A LOOK IN THE STOMACH 364 00:25:28,361 --> 00:25:29,994 AND THROUGH THE REST OF THE INTESTINES 365 00:25:30,062 --> 00:25:31,395 TO SEE WHAT SHE'S BEEN EATING. 366 00:25:31,464 --> 00:25:33,664 Abraham: A PYTHON'S DIGESTIVE TRACT 367 00:25:33,733 --> 00:25:36,033 IS NOT COILED LIKE A HUMAN'S -- 368 00:25:36,102 --> 00:25:39,770 IT'S EFFECTIVELY THE SAME LENGTH AS THE SNAKE ITSELF. 369 00:25:39,839 --> 00:25:42,373 BY DISSECTING PYTHONS CAUGHT IN THE WILD, 370 00:25:42,441 --> 00:25:45,242 SKIP'S MADE MANY FASCINATING DISCOVERIES. 371 00:25:45,311 --> 00:25:49,146 Snow: LOOKS LIKE WE'VE FOUND THE REMAINS 372 00:25:49,215 --> 00:25:50,581 OF AN OLD MEAL. 373 00:25:52,518 --> 00:25:54,985 WE HAVE THE REMAINS OF AN ALLIGATOR IN HERE. 374 00:25:57,924 --> 00:26:01,859 CLAWS, OR BONES. 375 00:26:01,928 --> 00:26:06,063 SO, THIS IS THE EIGHTH PYTHON THAT WE HAVE FOUND 376 00:26:06,132 --> 00:26:08,799 THAT HAS EATEN AN ALLIGATOR. 377 00:26:08,868 --> 00:26:12,336 THEY ALSO WILL EAT A WIDE VARIETY OF MAMMALS AND BIRDS. 378 00:26:12,405 --> 00:26:13,437 HERE'S THE BILL 379 00:26:13,506 --> 00:26:15,873 OF A GREAT BLUE HERON. 380 00:26:18,477 --> 00:26:20,544 THIS IS THE SMALL BILL TIP OF A RAIL. 381 00:26:23,983 --> 00:26:25,649 IN THE MAMMAL CATEGORY, 382 00:26:25,718 --> 00:26:29,954 EVERYTHING FROM SMALL MICE AND RODENTS TO BOBCATS. 383 00:26:30,022 --> 00:26:32,089 HERE'S A HALF OF A HOOF 384 00:26:32,158 --> 00:26:34,158 FROM ADULT DEER. 385 00:26:36,862 --> 00:26:39,997 SO, AS YOU CAN SEE, THEY EAT A WIDE RANGE OF PREY -- 386 00:26:40,066 --> 00:26:42,032 BIRDS, MAMMALS, REPTILES. 387 00:26:42,101 --> 00:26:45,369 Abraham: SO, PYTHONS MUSTN'T REACH AREAS 388 00:26:45,438 --> 00:26:46,870 WITH ENDANGERED SPECIES. 389 00:26:48,841 --> 00:26:50,808 THE FLORIDA KEYS. 390 00:26:50,876 --> 00:26:55,012 SO FAR, ONLY A FEW PYTHONS HAVE BEEN FOUND HERE, 391 00:26:55,081 --> 00:26:56,981 PROBABLY RELEASED PETS. 392 00:26:57,049 --> 00:26:59,617 A FULL-SCALE INVASION MUST BE AVERTED 393 00:26:59,685 --> 00:27:02,353 BECAUSE THIS 100-MILE-LONG ISLAND CHAIN 394 00:27:02,421 --> 00:27:07,558 IS THE ONLY HOME ON EARTH FOR THE KEY LARGO WOOD RAT. 395 00:27:09,161 --> 00:27:13,130 U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BIOLOGIST RON ROZAR 396 00:27:13,199 --> 00:27:16,467 HAS A NETWORK OF TRAPS ACROSS KEY LARGO 397 00:27:16,535 --> 00:27:19,336 TO INTERCEPT SNAKES ARRIVING FROM THE MAINLAND. 398 00:27:19,405 --> 00:27:22,740 THERE ARE OVER 60 TO BE MONITORED, AND EACH 399 00:27:22,808 --> 00:27:24,074 HAS A TEMPTING LURE. 400 00:27:24,143 --> 00:27:27,111 Rozar: SO EACH DAY, WE COME AND WE CHECK THE TRAPS. 401 00:27:27,179 --> 00:27:29,113 CHECK ON, ONE, 402 00:27:29,181 --> 00:27:31,482 TO SEE IF THERE'S ANY SNAKES INSIDE, 403 00:27:31,550 --> 00:27:33,951 AND, TWO, TO SEE HOW 404 00:27:34,020 --> 00:27:37,021 OUR BAIT RAT IS DOING. 405 00:27:37,089 --> 00:27:41,325 NOW WE CHECK ON THIS GUY EVERY DAY, 406 00:27:41,394 --> 00:27:44,561 MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE ENOUGH FOOD AND MOISTURE. 407 00:27:44,630 --> 00:27:46,230 THIS GUY LOOKS PRETTY GOOD. 408 00:27:46,298 --> 00:27:47,931 NOW THE WAY THIS TRAP OPERATES, 409 00:27:48,000 --> 00:27:54,204 SNAKE APPROACHES, SMELLS THE RAT, COMES INTO THE CAGE. 410 00:27:54,273 --> 00:27:57,107 ONCE HE ENTERS THE CAGE, THE FLAPS CLOSE BEHIND HIM 411 00:27:57,176 --> 00:27:59,043 SO HE CAN'T GET BACK OUT. 412 00:27:59,111 --> 00:28:01,745 TRIES TO GET TO THE RAT, BUT THE RAT'S IN ITS OWN 413 00:28:01,814 --> 00:28:04,748 SEPARATE ENCLOSURE SO THE RAT CAN'T BE GOTTEN TO. 414 00:28:04,817 --> 00:28:06,350 WE THEN EXTRACT THE SNAKE FROM THE TRAP. 415 00:28:06,419 --> 00:28:10,387 SOMETIMES, WE CAN GET ANIMALS IN HERE THAT WE'RE NOT LOOKING FOR, 416 00:28:10,456 --> 00:28:12,756 THINGS THAT AREN'T BIG PYTHONS. 417 00:28:12,825 --> 00:28:15,359 SOME OF THE NATIVE ANIMALS THAT MIGHT GO IN HERE INCLUDE 418 00:28:15,428 --> 00:28:17,795 WOOD RATS AND COTTON MICE 419 00:28:17,863 --> 00:28:19,763 AS WELL AS SOME OF THE NATIVE SNAKES. 420 00:28:19,832 --> 00:28:23,267 FOR THAT, WE'VE PUT IN SOME ESCAPE HATCHES. 421 00:28:23,335 --> 00:28:24,568 SO, IF A NATIVE SNAKE -- 422 00:28:24,637 --> 00:28:26,537 FOR INSTANCE A YELLOW RAT SNAKE -- 423 00:28:26,605 --> 00:28:32,810 COMES IN HERE, ALL HE DOES, GOES TO THE ESCAPE HATCH, CRAWLS OUT, 424 00:28:32,878 --> 00:28:34,178 HE'S SAFE. 425 00:28:34,246 --> 00:28:37,614 Abraham: SO FAR, NO PYTHON HAS MADE IT TO THE TRAP LINE. 426 00:28:37,683 --> 00:28:40,517 BUT WHEN THE INVASION STARTS, 427 00:28:40,586 --> 00:28:44,455 THIS WILL BE THE KEYS' FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE. 428 00:28:44,523 --> 00:28:48,292 ALL THIS WORK COULD HELP PROTECT THE ENDANGERED WOOD RAT. 429 00:28:48,360 --> 00:28:51,729 DISNEY'S ANIMAL KINGDOM AND TAMPA'S LOWRY PARK ZOO 430 00:28:51,797 --> 00:28:55,466 HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS ON A BREEDING PROGRAM. 431 00:28:55,534 --> 00:28:58,635 GUYS! HELLO, HELLO. 432 00:29:01,307 --> 00:29:04,708 Abraham: THESE CUTE MAMMALS LIVE NOWHERE ELSE. 433 00:29:04,777 --> 00:29:08,278 FEWER THAN 200 OF THEM REMAIN IN THE WILD. 434 00:29:11,217 --> 00:29:13,383 GOOD GIRL. 435 00:29:13,452 --> 00:29:17,121 THE WOOD RAT WAS FIRST LISTED AS THREATENED IN 1969. 436 00:29:17,189 --> 00:29:19,823 SINCE THEN, THEIR POPULATION 437 00:29:19,892 --> 00:29:21,792 HAS CONTINUED TO DECLINE. 438 00:29:24,663 --> 00:29:26,630 GOOD GIRL. 439 00:29:26,699 --> 00:29:30,000 Abraham: HUMAN DEVELOPMENTS HAVE SERIOUSLY DEPLETED 440 00:29:30,069 --> 00:29:33,303 THE WOODED AREAS THESE RODENTS NEED TO SURVIVE, 441 00:29:33,372 --> 00:29:37,241 AND ATTACKS BY FERAL CATS ARE A SERIOUS THREAT. 442 00:29:42,314 --> 00:29:45,182 THE ARRIVAL OF A PYTHON ARMY 443 00:29:45,251 --> 00:29:49,319 COULD BE THE FINAL NAIL IN THE WOOD RAT'S COFFIN. 444 00:29:54,426 --> 00:29:58,328 IN CONTRAST, PYTHON POPULATIONS ARE BOOMING. 445 00:30:02,701 --> 00:30:06,637 THE SNAKES ARE INVADING AGRICULTURAL LAND. 446 00:30:06,705 --> 00:30:09,373 WITH ALMOST THREE MILLION ACRES OF IT IN FLORIDA, 447 00:30:09,441 --> 00:30:12,276 THERE'S A LOT OF HABITAT FOR THE BURMESE TO COLONIZE. 448 00:30:15,581 --> 00:30:17,948 BUT THESE SEEMINGLY PEACEFUL FIELDS 449 00:30:18,017 --> 00:30:21,251 CAN BE DANGEROUS TERRITORY FOR SKULKING SNAKES. 450 00:30:21,320 --> 00:30:25,255 AT PLOWING TIME, THEY RISK BEING DICED BETWEEN SLICING BLADES. 451 00:30:31,497 --> 00:30:35,799 FEW FARMERS ARE SURPRISED TO FIND PYTHONS ON THEIR LAND. 452 00:30:41,407 --> 00:30:44,041 AS THEIR RANGE EXPANDS INTO THE SUBURBS, 453 00:30:44,109 --> 00:30:48,145 PYTHONS ARE INCREASINGLY CROSSING PATHS WITH PEOPLE. 454 00:30:55,020 --> 00:30:57,621 AND THEY CAN BECOME A TRAFFIC HAZARD. 455 00:31:18,644 --> 00:31:20,444 DRIVERS NEED TO HAVE THEIR WITS ABOUT THEM. 456 00:31:20,512 --> 00:31:24,448 YOU WOULDN'T EXPECT A SPEED BUMP TO SLITHER. 457 00:31:24,516 --> 00:31:27,084 BUT FLORIDIANS ARE BECOMING ACCUSTOMED 458 00:31:27,152 --> 00:31:30,454 TO WEAVING AROUND CREATURES FROM FOREIGN LANDS. 459 00:31:33,826 --> 00:31:37,628 BURMESE PYTHONS ARE JUST ONE OF OVER 400 KINDS 460 00:31:37,696 --> 00:31:40,297 OF EXOTIC ANIMALS THAT LIVE WILD IN FLORIDA. 461 00:31:43,535 --> 00:31:47,137 PARROT BIOLOGIST PAUL REILLO LOOKS FOR ONE OF HIS SUBJECTS 462 00:31:47,206 --> 00:31:49,673 AROUND THE LUXURY HOTELS OF WEST PALM BEACH. 463 00:31:54,013 --> 00:31:59,049 TO FIND THEM, HE USES TINY REMOTE CAMERAS. 464 00:31:59,118 --> 00:32:01,685 Reillo: OKAY, IN SHE GOES. 465 00:32:01,754 --> 00:32:04,121 THERE WE GO. 466 00:32:04,189 --> 00:32:06,623 YOU KNOW THE GREAT FUN ABOUT THESE NATURAL HOLLOWS IS THAT 467 00:32:06,692 --> 00:32:08,325 YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO FIND. 468 00:32:08,394 --> 00:32:09,493 OH, THERE WE GO. 469 00:32:09,561 --> 00:32:11,795 WE'VE GOT A DUCK. 470 00:32:11,864 --> 00:32:13,764 HEY, DON'T PECK THE CAMERA! 471 00:32:13,832 --> 00:32:15,399 THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR. 472 00:32:19,805 --> 00:32:23,674 LET'S SEE WHAT WE'VE GOT IN THIS ONE. 473 00:32:23,742 --> 00:32:25,943 OH, THAT'S NO GOOD, THAT'S NOT WHAT WE WANT. 474 00:32:26,011 --> 00:32:27,110 WE'VE GOT A RACCOON 475 00:32:27,179 --> 00:32:32,349 AND THESE GUYS ARE MAJOR PREDATORS OF THE PARROTS. 476 00:32:32,418 --> 00:32:35,886 Abraham: PERHAPS IT'LL BE "THIRD TIME LUCKY." 477 00:32:35,955 --> 00:32:39,890 Reillo: OKAY, LET'S SEE WHAT WE HAVE HERE. 478 00:32:39,959 --> 00:32:43,860 WELL THAT'S MUCH BETTER, THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR, 479 00:32:43,929 --> 00:32:47,664 GREEN-CHEEKED AMAZON. THERE ARE THREE BABIES IN THIS NEST 480 00:32:47,733 --> 00:32:50,567 AND YOU CAN SEE THAT THEY'RE SITTING ATOP A MOUND 481 00:32:50,636 --> 00:32:52,069 OF WRITHING INSECT LARVAE 482 00:32:52,137 --> 00:32:55,138 BECAUSE ALL OF THE FOOD GOES IN TO THE NEST CAVITY 483 00:32:55,207 --> 00:32:57,240 AND GETS ACCUMULATED AS WASTE. 484 00:32:57,309 --> 00:32:59,876 AND IT BECOMES A BREEDING GROUND FOR INSECTS. 485 00:32:59,945 --> 00:33:04,047 THIS IS AN EXOTIC SPECIES NESTING IN AN EXOTIC TREE 486 00:33:04,116 --> 00:33:05,949 HERE IN FLORIDA, 487 00:33:06,018 --> 00:33:08,552 BUT THIS FOOTAGE IS VERY USEFUL BECAUSE THIS TECHNOLOGY 488 00:33:08,620 --> 00:33:09,786 AND THIS WHOLE RIG 489 00:33:09,855 --> 00:33:11,521 IS EXACTLY WHAT WE USE FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES 490 00:33:11,590 --> 00:33:13,357 ACROSS THE CARIBBEAN, AND THESE TECHNIQUES 491 00:33:13,425 --> 00:33:15,759 THAT WE'RE USING ON THIS SPECIES HERE 492 00:33:15,828 --> 00:33:19,363 ARE HELPING US SAVE SIMILAR SPECIES IN THE WILD. 493 00:33:19,431 --> 00:33:21,631 Abraham: IN THEIR MEXICAN HOMELAND, 494 00:33:21,700 --> 00:33:23,467 THESE BIRDS ARE THREATENED. 495 00:33:23,535 --> 00:33:26,303 AS FEW AS 3,000 REMAIN. 496 00:33:26,372 --> 00:33:28,638 FLORIDA IS A SAFE HAVEN FOR THEM. 497 00:33:31,076 --> 00:33:33,677 OTHER INVADERS ARE MORE THREATENING THAN THREATENED. 498 00:33:42,154 --> 00:33:45,155 A CARNIVOROUS NILE MONITOR FROM AFRICA. 499 00:33:50,329 --> 00:33:53,697 LIKE THE PYTHONS, THESE GO-ANYWHERE LIZARDS 500 00:33:53,766 --> 00:33:58,068 ARE ESCAPEES FROM THE PET TRADE. 501 00:33:58,137 --> 00:34:01,004 THIS ONE'S PICKED UP THE SCENT OF FOOD. 502 00:34:01,073 --> 00:34:02,205 IT'S ON A RAID. 503 00:34:07,780 --> 00:34:10,580 A POND WON'T SLOW IT DOWN. 504 00:34:10,649 --> 00:34:12,182 STRONG SWIMMERS, 505 00:34:12,251 --> 00:34:17,554 NILE MONITORS HAVE BEEN FOUND ON ISLANDS TWO MILES OFFSHORE. 506 00:34:17,623 --> 00:34:20,590 THE PREY'S SCENT IS GETTING STRONGER. 507 00:34:26,465 --> 00:34:29,166 SOMEONE'S VALUABLE KOI CARP. 508 00:34:42,247 --> 00:34:46,083 THESE HUNTERS CAN ALSO BE A THREAT TO NATIVE WILDLIFE. 509 00:34:46,151 --> 00:34:49,920 THEY COULD SPELL DISASTER FOR A RARE REPTILE. 510 00:34:49,988 --> 00:34:54,157 NOT AN ALLIGATOR, BUT THE AMERICAN CROCODILE. 511 00:34:54,226 --> 00:34:56,593 IT BREEDS IN SMALL NUMBERS 512 00:34:56,662 --> 00:35:00,764 CLOSE TO THE NILE MONITOR'S STRONGHOLD. 513 00:35:00,833 --> 00:35:04,167 FEMALES LAY AROUND 40 EGGS IN LATE SPRING, 514 00:35:04,236 --> 00:35:08,004 AND STAY NEAR THE NEST UNTIL THEY HATCH 90 DAYS LATER. 515 00:35:11,777 --> 00:35:14,811 UNLIKE ALLIGATORS, AMERICAN CROCODILES RARELY 516 00:35:14,880 --> 00:35:17,013 CHARGE AT INTRUDERS. 517 00:35:17,082 --> 00:35:21,485 THIS ALLOWS MONITOR LIZARDS TO PLUNDER THE NEST WITH IMPUNITY. 518 00:35:26,425 --> 00:35:29,459 THESE ARE INVETERATE EGG THIEVES. 519 00:35:29,528 --> 00:35:30,760 IN THEIR NATIVE AFRICA, 520 00:35:30,829 --> 00:35:34,397 THEY ARE MAJOR PREDATORS OF NILE CROCODILE NESTS. 521 00:35:37,402 --> 00:35:40,036 SOME WORRY THAT THEY COULD DIG UP THE EGGS 522 00:35:40,105 --> 00:35:42,873 OF FLORIDA'S ENDANGERED MARINE TURTLES. 523 00:35:45,811 --> 00:35:48,678 BUT THERE'S HOPE YET. 524 00:35:48,747 --> 00:35:50,680 A TRAPPING PROGRAM AIMS TO REDUCE THEIR NUMBERS 525 00:35:50,749 --> 00:35:54,751 AND PREVENT NATIVE REPTILES FROM HAVING THEIR EGGS SNATCHED. 526 00:35:56,922 --> 00:36:00,390 NOT ALL REPTILE IMMIGRANTS ARE HARMFUL. 527 00:36:02,961 --> 00:36:06,229 A CHARMING LIZARD FROM MADAGASCAR LIVES AND BREEDS 528 00:36:06,298 --> 00:36:10,233 IN THE GARDEN OF A POPULAR BAR IN THE FLORIDA KEYS. 529 00:36:17,709 --> 00:36:20,310 THESE LITTLE STUNNERS WERE RELEASED DELIBERATELY 530 00:36:20,379 --> 00:36:24,447 BY REPTILE DEALERS WHO COME BACK TO COLLECT ANY SURPLUS LIZARDS 531 00:36:24,516 --> 00:36:26,850 TO SELL AS PETS. 532 00:36:29,955 --> 00:36:33,089 FEMALES CAN LAY 12 EGGS EVERY BREEDING SEASON 533 00:36:33,158 --> 00:36:35,692 AND THE COLONY HERE IS THRIVING. 534 00:36:39,431 --> 00:36:43,800 SOME OF THE GECKOS ARE EVEN BECOMING LOUNGE LIZARDS. 535 00:36:44,770 --> 00:36:48,772 THEY FACE UNCERTAINTY IN THEIR HOMELAND FROM HABITAT LOSS, 536 00:36:48,840 --> 00:36:52,275 BUT PERHAPS THEY'LL MAKE IT IN THE U.S. 537 00:36:56,281 --> 00:37:00,283 ANOTHER LIZARD HAS TAKEN THE STATES BY STORM. 538 00:37:00,352 --> 00:37:02,285 THE GREEN IGUANA. 539 00:37:02,354 --> 00:37:05,388 THESE IGUANAS COME FROM CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA. 540 00:37:05,457 --> 00:37:09,392 BIG MALES CAN GROW OVER 6 FEET LONG. 541 00:37:12,631 --> 00:37:15,432 THEY SOMETIMES FIGHT IN THE BREEDING SEASON. 542 00:37:15,500 --> 00:37:17,767 BUT A BOB OF THE HEAD AND A FLASH OF THE DEWLAP 543 00:37:17,836 --> 00:37:21,238 UNDER THE THROAT BY THE LARGEST LIZARD IS USUALLY ENOUGH 544 00:37:21,306 --> 00:37:23,440 TO PREVENT COMBAT. 545 00:37:30,716 --> 00:37:34,417 THEY CAN MUNCH THROUGH A BED OF PRIZED BLOOMS IN MINUTES. 546 00:37:34,486 --> 00:37:39,956 THEY ALSO DISLODGE ROOF TILES AND POOP PRODIGIOUSLY. 547 00:37:42,427 --> 00:37:46,463 DESPITE THIS, MOST FLORIDIANS ARE QUITE FOND OF THEM. 548 00:37:46,531 --> 00:37:50,200 THERE ARE OVER 100,000 GREEN IGUANAS HERE. 549 00:37:52,237 --> 00:37:57,073 THE HIGHEST CONCENTRATIONS LIVE ALONG CITY CANALS. 550 00:37:57,142 --> 00:37:58,608 AND THIS IS WHY -- 551 00:37:58,677 --> 00:38:02,012 WATER PROVIDES AN ESCAPE ROUTE. 552 00:38:19,031 --> 00:38:22,065 IN AN EFFORT TO STEM THE TIDE OF EXOTIC ANIMALS 553 00:38:22,134 --> 00:38:25,168 GONE WILD IN FLORIDA, MIAMI METRO ZOO 554 00:38:25,237 --> 00:38:28,071 HOSTS A PET AMNESTY DAY. 555 00:38:32,344 --> 00:38:35,145 SOME PETS WILL OUTGROW THEIR OWNERS, 556 00:38:35,213 --> 00:38:36,346 AND THE DAY OFFERS A CHANCE 557 00:38:36,415 --> 00:38:40,650 FOR PEOPLE TO TURN THEIR CRITTERS IN. 558 00:38:40,719 --> 00:38:42,852 FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION OFFICER 559 00:38:42,921 --> 00:38:45,822 PATRICK REYNOLDS EXPLAINS. 560 00:38:45,891 --> 00:38:48,258 BASICALLY, IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY 561 00:38:48,327 --> 00:38:51,594 FOR PEOPLE TO BRING IN UNWANTED PETS, EXOTIC PETS, 562 00:38:51,663 --> 00:38:54,631 PETS THAT OTHERWISE WOULD GET RELEASED INTO THE WILD, 563 00:38:54,700 --> 00:38:58,568 LIKE BURMESE PYTHONS, IGUANAS, 564 00:38:58,637 --> 00:39:00,603 TORTOISES, UH... 565 00:39:00,672 --> 00:39:03,573 EVERYTHING TO A HOWLER MONKEY WAS TURNED IN TODAY. 566 00:39:03,642 --> 00:39:05,308 Man: DO YOU KNOW ABOUT HOW OLD IT IS? 567 00:39:05,377 --> 00:39:06,443 Woman: PROBABLY ABOUT 6. 568 00:39:06,511 --> 00:39:07,677 Man: OKAY. 569 00:39:07,746 --> 00:39:09,713 Woman: SHE LOVES TO BE PETTED. 570 00:39:09,781 --> 00:39:14,184 Abraham: SOME OWNERS HAVE GRADUALLY FALLEN OUT OF LOVE 571 00:39:14,252 --> 00:39:15,452 WITH THEIR ANIMALS. 572 00:39:15,520 --> 00:39:16,653 FOR OTHERS, 573 00:39:16,722 --> 00:39:19,622 THE DECISION TO GO PET-FREE IS MORE SUDDEN. 574 00:39:19,691 --> 00:39:22,325 Man: I'VE HAD HER FOR 10 YEARS, 575 00:39:22,394 --> 00:39:25,562 AND SHE RIPPED MY WIFE'S FINGER OFF THE OTHER DAY. 576 00:39:25,630 --> 00:39:27,764 AND THAT WAS THE END OF THAT! 577 00:39:29,201 --> 00:39:31,568 Abraham: EVENTS SUCH AS THIS COULD HAVE HELPED REDUCE 578 00:39:31,636 --> 00:39:34,371 THE SPREAD OF THE BURMESE PYTHON IN RECENT YEARS. 579 00:39:34,439 --> 00:39:37,040 Man: THIS HERE IS A BABY. 580 00:39:37,109 --> 00:39:39,809 BEING AS BEAUTIFUL AS HE IS, 581 00:39:39,878 --> 00:39:42,479 THERE WILL BE FIRST PICKS ON HIM, I'M SURE. 582 00:39:42,547 --> 00:39:45,081 Abraham: ALL ANIMALS ARE EXAMINED 583 00:39:45,150 --> 00:39:48,985 BY A VET BEFORE BEING TURNED OVER TO NEW OWNERS. 584 00:39:49,054 --> 00:39:51,321 Woman: THESE GUYS NEED A LITTLE HELP. 585 00:39:51,390 --> 00:39:54,824 THIS ISN'T MINOR, SOMEBODY NEEDS TO DEAL WITH THESE GUYS. 586 00:39:54,893 --> 00:39:56,860 Abraham: EVERY ADOPTER HAS TO GO THROUGH 587 00:39:56,928 --> 00:39:58,128 AN APPLICATION PROCEDURE. 588 00:39:58,196 --> 00:40:00,029 SOME ARE EVEN INTERVIEWED, 589 00:40:00,098 --> 00:40:03,233 TO ENSURE THAT THE AMNESTY ANIMALS GET GOOD, 590 00:40:03,301 --> 00:40:04,734 ESCAPE-PROOF HOMES. 591 00:40:04,803 --> 00:40:07,504 SHE'S GOT A RED WOUND INSIDE HER LEFT FRONT FOOT, 592 00:40:07,572 --> 00:40:08,872 BUT IT'S VERY SUPERFICIAL. 593 00:40:08,940 --> 00:40:11,241 THE SHELL'S IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE. 594 00:40:11,309 --> 00:40:15,345 Abraham: IT'S AN EVENT THAT GETS THE WORD OUT AND GETS RESULTS. 595 00:40:21,453 --> 00:40:24,788 SCOTT HARDIN IS FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE 596 00:40:24,856 --> 00:40:27,924 CONSERVATION COMMISSION'S EXOTIC SPECIES SECTION LEADER. 597 00:40:27,993 --> 00:40:30,326 Hardin: WE CAN EASILY GET 15 OR 20 BURMESE PYTHONS, 598 00:40:30,395 --> 00:40:33,062 THREE OR FOUR RETICULATED PYTHONS. 599 00:40:33,131 --> 00:40:35,398 SOME OF THE OTHER SNAKES THAT REQUIRE PERMITS 600 00:40:35,467 --> 00:40:38,334 WE HAVEN'T SEEN YET BECAUSE THEY ARE MORE UNUSUAL IN TRADE, 601 00:40:38,403 --> 00:40:39,702 MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE. 602 00:40:39,771 --> 00:40:42,238 BUT BURMESE ARE THE ONLY ONES OUT IN THE EVERGLADES 603 00:40:42,307 --> 00:40:43,740 TO OUR KNOWLEDGE, 604 00:40:43,809 --> 00:40:46,009 AND THAT'S THE MOST COMMON LARGE CONSTRICTOR. 605 00:40:46,077 --> 00:40:49,712 Abraham: SOME OWNERS DISCOVER THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO FEED 606 00:40:49,781 --> 00:40:53,316 AND HOUSE THEIR GIANT SNAKES PROPERLY. 607 00:40:53,385 --> 00:40:55,351 IT'S FAR BETTER THAT THEY HAND THEM IN HERE 608 00:40:55,420 --> 00:40:57,554 THAN RELEASE THEM INTO THE WILD. 609 00:41:02,360 --> 00:41:04,227 THE AMNESTIES WILL HELP PREVENT 610 00:41:04,296 --> 00:41:09,766 NEW EXOTIC SPECIES FROM COLONIZING FLORIDA. 611 00:41:09,835 --> 00:41:14,037 THEY'LL ALSO HELP STOP FRESH RECRUITS FROM REACHING 612 00:41:14,105 --> 00:41:17,106 THE INVADERS THAT ARE ALREADY LIVING WILD HERE, 613 00:41:17,175 --> 00:41:19,742 LIKE THE PYTHON. 614 00:41:19,811 --> 00:41:22,745 BUT THE BURMESE INVASION IS WELL-ADVANCED. 615 00:41:30,222 --> 00:41:32,789 BY CATCHING WILD PYTHONS, 616 00:41:32,858 --> 00:41:35,158 RESEARCHERS ARE MAKING GOOD PROGRESS IN LEARNING 617 00:41:35,227 --> 00:41:37,760 HOW THESE SNAKES LIVE HERE IN FLORIDA. 618 00:41:39,431 --> 00:41:42,065 AND WE KNOW THEY'RE MATING IN THE WILD. 619 00:41:42,133 --> 00:41:45,768 FEMALES HAVE BEEN FOUND WITH SEVERAL MALES. 620 00:41:45,837 --> 00:41:50,073 BUT UNTIL RECENTLY A PYTHON NEST HAD NEVER BEEN FOUND. 621 00:41:56,114 --> 00:41:59,115 VIRTUALLY EVERYTHING WE KNOW ABOUT THE BREEDING HABITS 622 00:41:59,184 --> 00:42:02,552 OF BURMESE PYTHONS HAS BEEN LEARNED FROM CAPTIVE SNAKES. 623 00:42:02,621 --> 00:42:04,153 THERE ARE PLENTY OF THOSE 624 00:42:04,222 --> 00:42:05,722 IN THIS HUGE FACILITY. 625 00:42:10,996 --> 00:42:14,564 CAREFUL BREEDING CREATES EYE-POPPING PYTHONS. 626 00:42:14,633 --> 00:42:16,799 SOME OF THE MOST FLAMBOYANT 627 00:42:16,868 --> 00:42:19,836 CAN BE WORTH TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS EACH. 628 00:42:26,311 --> 00:42:28,111 EVERY SPRING, 629 00:42:28,179 --> 00:42:31,014 A BURMESE CAN LAY A CLUTCH OF UP TO 100 EGGS. 630 00:42:37,556 --> 00:42:40,456 COILS THAT BROUGHT DEATH TO PREY NOW WRAP PROTECTIVELY 631 00:42:40,525 --> 00:42:43,226 AROUND THE EGGS TO KEEP THEM ALIVE. 632 00:42:48,833 --> 00:42:50,567 SHIVERING GENERATES HEAT. 633 00:42:54,272 --> 00:42:57,373 WARMTH FROM TWITCHING MUSCLES CAN RAISE THE EGGS' TEMPERATURE 634 00:42:57,442 --> 00:43:00,610 BY AS MUCH AS 11 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. 635 00:43:06,184 --> 00:43:08,718 SNAKE BREEDERS REMOVE THE EGGS 636 00:43:08,787 --> 00:43:12,822 FOR SAFE-KEEPING TO AN INCUBATOR. 637 00:43:12,891 --> 00:43:14,390 IT TAKES TWO MONTHS 638 00:43:14,459 --> 00:43:17,694 AT 90 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT TO HATCH THE EGGS. 639 00:43:19,230 --> 00:43:21,731 BUT WHAT HAPPENS IN THE WILD? 640 00:43:26,137 --> 00:43:29,839 UNTIL RECENTLY, NOTHING WAS KNOWN ABOUT HOW 641 00:43:29,908 --> 00:43:32,976 OR WHERE BURMESE PYTHONS NESTED IN FLORIDA. 642 00:43:33,044 --> 00:43:34,243 SKIP SNOW'S TEAM 643 00:43:34,312 --> 00:43:37,914 CHANGED ALL THAT WITH A STUNNING DISCOVERY. 644 00:43:37,983 --> 00:43:42,185 NEXT TO A BUSY ROAD LESS THAN 17 MILES FROM MIAMI, 645 00:43:42,253 --> 00:43:44,654 THEY FOUND A PYTHON NEST. 646 00:43:46,424 --> 00:43:51,361 OKAY, WE'RE HERE AT THE SITE OF A BURMESE PYTHON NEST 647 00:43:51,429 --> 00:43:53,930 THAT WE FOUND BACK IN 2008. 648 00:43:53,999 --> 00:43:56,199 THIS IS A SPECIAL CAMERA 649 00:43:56,267 --> 00:43:59,702 USED FOR LOOKING IN DENS AND CAVITIES, 650 00:43:59,771 --> 00:44:02,372 DEVELOPED TO LOOK IN THE DARK. 651 00:44:11,549 --> 00:44:13,750 WHEN WE DID THIS BACK IN JULY 2008, 652 00:44:13,818 --> 00:44:16,085 WE FOUND A FEMALE 653 00:44:16,154 --> 00:44:19,489 BROODING ON HER 27 EGGS, 654 00:44:19,557 --> 00:44:20,957 WHICH WE'D FIND OUT LATER 655 00:44:21,026 --> 00:44:22,659 WHEN WE DUG HER OUT. 656 00:44:25,397 --> 00:44:27,063 IT'S PROBABLY, DON'T KNOW FOR SURE, 657 00:44:27,132 --> 00:44:29,999 BUT PROBABLY THE FIRST TIME THAT IT'S BEEN OBSERVED 658 00:44:30,068 --> 00:44:31,668 AND FILMED IN THE WILD, 659 00:44:31,736 --> 00:44:34,904 AT LEAST CERTAINLY IN THE UNITED STATES. 660 00:44:38,543 --> 00:44:40,109 SO THIS IS PROOF POSITIVE 661 00:44:40,178 --> 00:44:43,946 THAT BURMESE PYTHONS ARE BREEDING IN THE EVERGLADES. 662 00:44:47,919 --> 00:44:50,353 Abraham: WHEN PYTHON BABIES LEAVE THE NEST, 663 00:44:50,422 --> 00:44:52,755 THEY FACE MANY DANGERS HERE IN FLORIDA. 664 00:44:54,592 --> 00:44:57,894 AT JUST 19 INCHES LONG, THEY'RE VULNERABLE TO ATTACK 665 00:44:57,962 --> 00:45:00,329 FROM NATIVE PREDATORS. 666 00:45:03,535 --> 00:45:05,668 A KING SNAKE. 667 00:45:05,737 --> 00:45:08,571 IT SPECIALIZES IN EATING OTHER SNAKES. 668 00:45:17,515 --> 00:45:21,517 THE KING SNAKE IS A CONSTRICTOR, JUST LIKE THE PYTHON. 669 00:45:21,586 --> 00:45:24,721 IT USES MUSCULAR COILS TO SUBDUE ITS PREY. 670 00:45:30,562 --> 00:45:33,863 SURELY THE BABY PYTHON HAS NO CHANCE NOW. 671 00:45:41,673 --> 00:45:48,411 BUT THEN, INEXPLICABLY, THE KING SNAKE ABORTS THE ATTACK. 672 00:45:50,448 --> 00:45:55,952 THIS NEW RECRUIT HAS PASSED ITS FIRST TEST. 673 00:45:57,989 --> 00:46:01,591 A RACCOON -- ANOTHER SNAKE HUNTER. 674 00:46:09,300 --> 00:46:12,969 THE RACCOON'S SHARP TEETH CAN EASILY PIERCE 675 00:46:13,037 --> 00:46:14,437 THE HATCHLING'S SKULL. 676 00:46:22,113 --> 00:46:25,047 BUT THE PYTHON HAS A STRIKE UP ITS SLEEVE. 677 00:46:26,584 --> 00:46:28,317 [ SNAKE HISSES ] 678 00:46:28,386 --> 00:46:30,586 [ RACCOON CHITTERS ] 679 00:46:34,893 --> 00:46:38,427 SOME RECRUITS TO THE PYTHON ARMY MAY SUFFER FATAL INJURIES, 680 00:46:38,496 --> 00:46:42,865 BUT THOSE WHO SURVIVE THEIR FIRST TOUR OF DUTY 681 00:46:42,934 --> 00:46:47,303 STAND A MUCH BETTER CHANCE OF DEFENDING THEMSELVES. 682 00:46:47,372 --> 00:46:50,406 A SIX-MONTH-OLD PYTHON IS LARGE ENOUGH TO FIGHT OFF ANY RACCOON. 683 00:46:50,475 --> 00:46:53,943 AND AT ONE YEAR OLD, THE RACCOON 684 00:46:54,012 --> 00:46:56,112 COULD BE ON THE PYTHON'S MENU. 685 00:47:00,084 --> 00:47:01,918 LARGE PYTHONS ARE INVULNERABLE 686 00:47:01,986 --> 00:47:04,086 TO ALL BUT THE BIGGEST ALLIGATORS... 687 00:47:04,155 --> 00:47:07,089 AND ONE OTHER HUNTER... 688 00:47:07,158 --> 00:47:08,624 US. 689 00:47:10,195 --> 00:47:13,329 THE SOUTH FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT EMPLOYS 690 00:47:13,398 --> 00:47:16,766 BOB HILL TO WAGE WAR AGAINST INVADERS ON THEIR LAND. 691 00:47:16,835 --> 00:47:18,668 Hill: I'VE PROBABLY FOUND 692 00:47:18,736 --> 00:47:20,469 CLOSE TO 75 693 00:47:20,538 --> 00:47:23,172 OR 80 PYTHONS 694 00:47:23,241 --> 00:47:25,107 ALONG THIS RIGHT-OF-WAY. 695 00:47:27,412 --> 00:47:30,713 Abraham: BOB KILLS ANY SNAKES HE FINDS. 696 00:47:30,782 --> 00:47:34,617 THEIR BODIES ARE USED TO HELP PYTHON SCIENTISTS ADD 697 00:47:34,686 --> 00:47:37,119 TO THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF THESE GIANT SNAKES. 698 00:47:37,188 --> 00:47:39,422 Hill: THIS PYTHON'S ABOUT 9 1/2, 10 FEET LONG. 699 00:47:39,490 --> 00:47:41,924 I'VE CAUGHT PROBABLY 100, 200 SNAKES 700 00:47:41,993 --> 00:47:43,993 IN THE AREA WHERE THIS ONE WAS PICKED UP, 701 00:47:44,062 --> 00:47:45,828 THE LARGEST ONE BEING ABOUT 16 FEET. 702 00:47:45,897 --> 00:47:49,265 Abraham: SOME AREAS TEEM WITH PYTHONS. 703 00:47:49,334 --> 00:47:51,234 Woman: IN ABOUT A WEEK, 704 00:47:51,302 --> 00:47:54,070 WE RECOVERED 54 PYTHONS THAT HAD BEEN KILLED 705 00:47:54,138 --> 00:47:56,539 IN ONE SMALL AGRICULTURAL FIELD. 706 00:47:56,608 --> 00:47:58,641 Abraham: SNAKES ARE SPILLING OUT 707 00:47:58,710 --> 00:48:00,843 OF THE NATIONAL PARK. 708 00:48:00,912 --> 00:48:04,947 THE ARMY OF SNAKES IS GAINING TERRITORY. 709 00:48:07,018 --> 00:48:10,853 JUST HOW BIG IS THE INVASION FORCE? 710 00:48:10,922 --> 00:48:13,723 WE DON'T KNOW FOR SURE, WE MAY NOT KNOW FOR MANY YEARS, 711 00:48:13,791 --> 00:48:16,525 BUT WE DO BELIEVE THAT IT'S ON THE ORDER OF THOUSANDS 712 00:48:16,594 --> 00:48:18,027 IF NOT TENS OF THOUSANDS, 713 00:48:18,096 --> 00:48:21,063 IT'S NO LONGER JUST HUNDREDS OR A DOZEN. 714 00:48:21,132 --> 00:48:25,401 Abraham: THE ARMY IS GAINING IN SIZE AND STRENGTH. 715 00:48:25,470 --> 00:48:26,602 MORE AND MORE INVADERS 716 00:48:26,671 --> 00:48:29,805 ARE BEING SEEN, AND NOT JUST BY SCIENTISTS. 717 00:48:29,874 --> 00:48:33,042 Man: LOOK AT THIS! LOOK AT THAT SNAKE. 718 00:48:33,111 --> 00:48:34,510 Girl: OH, MY GOD! 719 00:48:34,579 --> 00:48:36,879 LOOK AT THAT SNAKE! LET ME GET A PICTURE. 720 00:48:36,948 --> 00:48:39,749 Abraham: IN THE EVERGLADES, 721 00:48:39,817 --> 00:48:42,118 BURMESE PYTHONS COULD CAUSE 722 00:48:42,186 --> 00:48:45,154 ALL SORTS OF PROBLEMS. 723 00:48:45,223 --> 00:48:48,291 ONE OF THOSE IS COMPETITION WITH OUR NATIVE ANIMALS FOR FOOD. 724 00:48:50,228 --> 00:48:52,762 Abraham: GATORS AND PYTHONS HAVE SIMILAR DIETS. 725 00:48:55,400 --> 00:48:59,035 AS DO ENDANGERED INDIGO SNAKES. 726 00:48:59,103 --> 00:49:01,504 THERE MAY NOT BE ENOUGH TO GO AROUND. 727 00:49:04,108 --> 00:49:05,808 THEY WILL EAT ALMOST ANY ANIMAL OUT THERE, 728 00:49:05,877 --> 00:49:09,278 NO MATTER HOW BIG OR SMALL, FROM RODENTS TO ADULT DEER, 729 00:49:09,347 --> 00:49:11,747 BOBCATS, BIRDS. 730 00:49:11,816 --> 00:49:14,684 Snow: WE HAVE A NUMBER OF THREATENED 731 00:49:14,752 --> 00:49:16,786 AND ENDANGERED SPECIES IN SOUTH FLORIDA 732 00:49:16,854 --> 00:49:19,989 THAT ARE POTENTIAL PREY FOR BURMESE PYTHONS. 733 00:49:20,058 --> 00:49:22,124 Abraham: IT COULD MAKE THE DIFFERENCE 734 00:49:22,193 --> 00:49:25,161 BETWEEN SURVIVAL AND EXTINCTION. 735 00:49:29,901 --> 00:49:32,234 ANOTHER ONE MAY BE COMPETITION FOR SPACE. 736 00:49:34,105 --> 00:49:35,705 Abraham: PYTHONS TAKE OVER WATERHOLES 737 00:49:35,773 --> 00:49:40,042 AND BURROWS THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE INHABITED BY NATIVE ANIMALS. 738 00:49:40,111 --> 00:49:42,678 ANOTHER ONE CLEARLY THAT WE KNOW VERY LITTLE ABOUT IS DISEASE. 739 00:49:42,747 --> 00:49:44,647 Abraham: PYTHONS MAY HAVE 740 00:49:44,716 --> 00:49:47,583 BROUGHT FOREIGN PARASITES WITH THEM, 741 00:49:47,652 --> 00:49:50,786 OR AT LEAST ACT AS RESERVOIRS FOR PESTS 742 00:49:50,855 --> 00:49:54,423 THAT TRANSFER TO FLORIDIAN REPTILES. 743 00:49:54,492 --> 00:49:56,425 AND LASTLY IS, OBVIOUSLY, SAFETY. 744 00:49:56,494 --> 00:49:59,628 Donlan: THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE THEY MAY LEAVE THE EVERGLADES 745 00:49:59,697 --> 00:50:02,832 AND THEY COULD GO ONTO HIGHWAYS AND CAUSE HAZARDS TO TRAFFIC 746 00:50:02,900 --> 00:50:04,333 AND HUMANS IN THAT WAY. 747 00:50:08,639 --> 00:50:10,773 Abraham: IN ADDITION TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, 748 00:50:10,842 --> 00:50:16,645 THERE IS THAT CHANCE THAT A PYTHON COULD ATTACK A HUMAN. 749 00:50:16,714 --> 00:50:18,748 BURMESE PYTHONS AREN'T KNOWN TO HUNT PEOPLE, 750 00:50:18,816 --> 00:50:22,752 BUT THEY DO HAVE THE TOOLS BY WHICH TO KILL PEOPLE, 751 00:50:22,820 --> 00:50:26,722 SO WE DO HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT THEY ARE POTENTIALLY A HAZARD. 752 00:50:26,791 --> 00:50:30,860 Abraham: SO, ARE PYTHONS HERE TO STAY IN THE EVERGLADES? 753 00:50:30,928 --> 00:50:32,194 AND IF THEY ARE, 754 00:50:32,263 --> 00:50:35,231 WILL WE BE SEEING EVEN MORE OF THEM IN THE FUTURE? 755 00:50:38,970 --> 00:50:40,970 Reynolds: WE'RE NEVER GOING TO ERADICATE THEM. 756 00:50:41,039 --> 00:50:45,374 WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY, THE MANPOWER TO EXTERMINATE 757 00:50:45,443 --> 00:50:48,210 BURMESE PYTHONS. 758 00:50:48,279 --> 00:50:50,246 WE HAVE TO LEARN TO LIVE WITH THEM -- 759 00:50:50,314 --> 00:50:51,881 THEY'RE WITH US. 760 00:50:51,949 --> 00:50:55,084 WE HAVE A TEAM IN EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK TRYING 761 00:50:55,153 --> 00:50:58,421 TO ERADICATE THEM FROM THE PARK, 762 00:50:58,489 --> 00:51:00,689 BUT OUTSIDE OF THE PARK, IN THE CITY, THEY'RE STILL THERE 763 00:51:00,758 --> 00:51:02,925 AND THEY'RE PROBABLY ALWAYS GOING TO BE THERE. 764 00:51:02,994 --> 00:51:04,960 THERE'S TOO MANY PLACES FOR THEM TO HIDE. 765 00:51:05,029 --> 00:51:07,463 THE GOAL IS CLEARLY TO CONTAIN 766 00:51:07,532 --> 00:51:10,166 THE POPULATION AS WE HAVE IT NOW AND TRY AND KEEP IT 767 00:51:10,234 --> 00:51:12,435 FROM SPREADING TO AREAS WHERE IT'S NOT. 768 00:51:12,503 --> 00:51:14,804 HOPEFULLY, AT THE VERY LEAST, WE CAN CONTAIN IT, 769 00:51:14,872 --> 00:51:17,573 AND WE CAN SUPPRESS THE IMPACTS THAT THEY MAY HAVE, 770 00:51:17,642 --> 00:51:19,542 WHILE WE WAIT FOR A GOOD TECHNIQUE 771 00:51:19,610 --> 00:51:21,077 BY WHICH TO ERADICATE THEM. 772 00:51:23,314 --> 00:51:26,949 Abraham: GETTING RID OF PYTHONS IS A FORMIDABLE TASK. 773 00:51:29,720 --> 00:51:32,655 UNTIL THAT HAPPENS, BURMESE PYTHONS 774 00:51:32,723 --> 00:51:35,024 COULD BECOME TOURIST ATTRACTIONS. 775 00:51:48,039 --> 00:51:50,239 THESE PREDATORS ARE SO ADAPTABLE, 776 00:51:50,308 --> 00:51:51,574 PYTHONS COULD BECOME 777 00:51:51,642 --> 00:51:53,976 AS MUCH A PART OF THE EVERGLADES 778 00:51:54,045 --> 00:51:59,281 AS ALLIGATORS, MANATEES, BLACK BEARS AND PUMAS. 779 00:51:59,350 --> 00:52:02,284 ONLY TIME WILL TELL. 780 00:52:43,094 --> 00:52:45,194 TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT YOU'VE SEEN 781 00:52:45,263 --> 00:52:46,629 ON THIS "NATURE" PROGRAM, 782 00:52:46,697 --> 00:52:46,629 VISIT pbs.org. 68579

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