Australia experiencing spider, snake invasion amid floods
Southeastern Australia is seeing a massive animal exodus caused by record-breaking floods. People are seeing a surge of creatures on their land as they try to find higher ground. [TRENDING: 18+ can soon get vaccine in Fla. | That’s not lint: Family finds snake in dryer | So Florida: Gator swims with shark]Spiders in particular have been found in homes. People have also reported seeing trees full of snakes. According to New South Wales’ Premier, nearly 18,000 people have been forced to flee flood-hit regions in the state.
Florida FWC votes to ban ‘high-risk’ reptiles as snake lovers protest and beg for mercy
AdThe 16 reptiles include Burmese pythons; reticulated pythons; scrub pythons; Northern African pythons; Southern African Pythons; amethystine pythons; green anacondas; Nile monitor lizards; tegus (all species) and green iguanas. And dealing with tegu lizards alone consumes a third of the agency’s budget for managing invasive species. We cannot afford to have that work jeopardized by invasive species,” said Chris Farrell, Northeast Florida policy associate for Audubon Florida. “It’s all hands on deck when it comes to these invasive species,” Bartlett said. The state agency estimates 180 of 593 introduced invasive species in Florida are reptiles, 92% of them introduced by the live trade of animals.
Florida hunter makes Christmas cookies with python eggs
But one South Florida python hunter has been experimenting with what some have dubbed “chicken of the Glades” — making meals, snacks and even sweets that could give the holidays that distinctive South Florida flavor. Siewe, a self-described herper — reptile and amphibian enthusiasts — moved from Indiana to South Florida to become a python hunter last year. The giant snakes are everywhere in South Florida, devouring mammals in the Everglades and disrupting the natural balance of predator and prey. In addition to the District’s paid python hunters, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission also runs a python elimination program by employing contractors. Allowing the consumption of python meat might encourage more people to get involved in catching them, Kalil said.
Flying snakes? Yep, theyre a thing
Its the last thing those who fear snakes want to hear. Scientists at Virginia Teach University have confirmed one species of snakes can propel into the air. They discovered the same motion snakes use while slithering on the ground can be used to stabilize them and allow them to fly further. However, the scientists were not able to learn how the snakes generate lift or how they are able to turn in the air. Paradise Tree Snakes only live in Southeast Asia and their venom is considered harmless to humans.
New 'Hunger Games' book sells more than 500,000 copies
NEW YORK A decade after the Hunger Games series had apparently ended, readers were clearly ready for more. Suzanne Collins' The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes sold more 500,000 copies last week, even as many of the country's bookstores were closed or offering limited service because of the coronavirus pandemic. NPD BookScan, which tracks around 85 percent of the print market, reported Wednesday that Songbirds and Snakes" topped last week's list with 270,000 copies sold. Collins' book, a prequel to her previous Hunger Games novels, came 10 years after the author seemingly wrapped up the Dystopian series with Mockingjay." Collins' novels, which also include The Hunger Games and Catching Fire," have sold more than 100 million copies worldwide and are the basis for a billion dollar movie franchise.
Mating snakes prompt closure of part of Florida park
LAKELAND, Fla. – A Florida city shut down a section of a lake Thursday after receiving reports of swarming snakes. The Lakeland Parks & Recreation department wrote on its Facebook page that a group of non-venomous water snakes congregated to mate near a traffic roundabout. Officials said the snakes are “generally not aggressive as long as people do not disturb them.”Once mating is over, the snakes are expected to go their separate ways. The city said that Florida water snakes are a native species. Lakeland is in Central Florida, between Tampa and Orlando.