Pythons are wreaking havoc on local wildlife in Florida, becoming one of the most challenging invasive species management issues worldwide, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. With estimates suggesting over 100,000 of these serpents slithering through southern Florida, since 1997, they have efficiently eradicated a number of animals from the Everglades and reduced the populations of others by upwards of 98%.
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However, a study conducted by an international team of researchers in Southeast Asia could hold an unconventional solution: turning the invasive python population into a sustainable food source. According to the team’s findings, commercial python farming could address significant environmental challenges associated with traditional livestock farming.
The study, which spanned a year, revealed that raising pythons requires fewer resources compared to conventional livestock farming methods. Unlike chickens, pigs and cattle, which contribute to approximately 15% of the planet’s annual greenhouse gas emissions primarily through the production of feed, pythons are more efficient in converting food into weight gain.
While birds and mammals burn about 90% of the energy from the food they eat to simply maintain a constant body temperature, this is not the case for cold-blooded reptiles like pythons.
Pythons also exhibit remarkable resilience to food scarcity, capable of surviving over four months without sustenance and not dropping much weight. These traits make them an attractive candidate for sustainable meat production, potentially reducing the environmental footprint associated with livestock farming.
While snake meat is already a dietary staple in certain parts of Asia and even considered a delicacy in some, it remains a novelty for many American consumers. However, proponents argue that embracing alternative protein sources like python meat could contribute to addressing pressing environmental issues.
[JACK AYLMER]
PYTHONS ARE PRESENTING THE U.S. WITH ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING INVASIVE SPECIES PROBLEMS IN THE WORLD.
AND THE SOLUTION COULD BE A FORK AND DINNER PLATE.
THESE SNAKES ARE RUNNING RAMPANT IN FLORIDA, DECIMATING LOCAL WILDLIFE.
SINCE 1997, THEY’VE EFFICIENTLY ERADICATED A NUMBER OF SPECIES FROM THE EVERGLADES.
REDUCING THE POPULATIONS OF OTHERS BY UPWARDS OF 98 PERCENT.
AT ABOUT 16 FEET LONG WITH SOME WEIGHING UP TO 200 POUNDS, MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND PYTHONS ARE ESTIMATED TO BE IN SOUTHERN FLORIDA.
BUT WHILE THEY’RE A MAJOR PROBLEM IN FLORIDA, THESE SNAKES COULD PROVIDE THE WORLD WITH ITS MOST SUSTAINABLE SOURCE OF MEAT YET.
THAT’S ACCORDING TO AN INTERNATIONAL TEAM OF RESEARCHERS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA.
THEIR YEAR LONG STUDY INTO COMMERCIAL PYTHON FARMS FOUND THE SERPETS REQUIRE LESS RESOURCES TO CARE FOR THAN OTHER LIVESTOCK.
RAISING MORE TRADITIONAL FARM ANIMALS, LIKE CHICKENS, PIGS AND CATTLE, ACCOUNTS FOR 15 PERCENT OF PLANET’S ANNUAL GREENHOUSE GASSES.
MUCH OF THAT TOTAL COMES FROM GROWING THE FOOD THEY NEED TO BE FED, WHICH CAN BE A LOT.
BIRDS AND MAMMALS BURN ABOUT 90 PERCENT OF THE ENERGY FROM THE FOOD THEY EAT, SIMPLY MAINTAINING A CONSTANT BODY TEMPERATURE
BUT PYTHONS COULD HELP CUT DOWN ON THOSE LIVESTOCK EMISSIONS SINCE THEY CONVERT FOOD INTO WEIGHT GAIN MUCH MORE EFFICIENTLY AS COLD BLOODED ANIMALS.
THE SNAKES CAN RAPIDLY GAIN WEIGHT, EVEN WHEN FED INCONSISTENTLY.
IN FACT, THEY CAN GO MORE THAN FOUR MONTHS WITHOUT FOOD, AND STILL MANAGE TO NOT DROP MUCH WEIGHT.
WHILE SNAKE MEAT IS ALREADY WIDELY CONSUMED ACROSS PARTS OF ASIA, AND EVEN CONSIDERED A DELICACY IN SOME, THAT’S NOT EXACTLY THE CASE FOR MOST AMERICAN DINERS.
BUT, FLORIDA DOES HAVE PLENTY OF PYTHONS.
SO, EXPANDING YOUR PALATE JUST MIGHT HELP SOLVE A PAIR OF PRESSING ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.
SO WOULD YOU EAT A SNAKE IF IT COULD HELP SAVE THE PLANET?
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