It’s python breeding season, and I’m ready to hit the Everglades with Otto.
My trusty sidekick is already bouncing off the walls with excitement. He loves this stuff. We start our hunt on an island I’ve had my eye on. Otto’s nose is on fire, but it’s a false alarm – just a black racer. These guys are usually lightning fast, but this one’s still cooling down. I get a good look at him before gently relocating him to a sunnier spot.
Python Breeding Season
Breeding season is crucial for our mission. We need to find and remove these pythons before they lay eggs, and even more importantly, before those eggs hatch. Every python we catch is a small victory for the Everglades.
Otto’s an incredible hunter, but he can get distracted. Sometimes he goes off on his own little adventures, chasing anything that moves. I have to remind him who’s boss and keep him focused.
Patterning The Snakes
I’ve learned a lot about python behavior over the years. They’re smart, and they use the same nesting spots year after year. That’s why I focus on finding old nests and checking them regularly. I’ve seen some crazy stuff out here. Like that time I found a dead turtle with its head ripped off. Or the time I almost took a nasty fall from a tree. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, but it’s an adventure.
Finding Python’s Breeding
Today, we’re on the hunt for a breeding aggregation – a group of pythons that come together to mate. It’s a long shot, but it’s worth the gamble. And then it happens. Otto goes crazy! He’s found something big. It’s a massive female python. After a tense struggle, we manage to secure her. It’s moments like these that make all the hard work worth it. Not every day is a success story. Some days we come up empty-handed. But even on those days, we learn and grow. That’s the nature of this job.
I love what I do, and I’m passionate about protecting the Everglades. With Otto by my side, I’m ready to tackle whatever challenges come my way.
