6.2 Central Ideas - Burmese Pythons in Florida

The word "native" means

• You're native to the country where you were born, and places have native plants and animals too.

• You're NOT native to the country where you were born, and places have native plants and animals too.

Non-native means...

• not born in that area or land

• where you are from

What animal has recently been challenging the alligator for the position of the most feared animal in Florida?

• The green iguana

• The speckled caiman

• The Burmese python

• The domestic cat

Why have Burmese pythons become more popular in recent years in Florida?

• They are easy to maintain as pets

• They are native to South Florida

• They are admired for their size and skin patterns

• They pose no threat to the environment

What has caused a surge of Burmese python imports to Florida?

• Their ability to lay up to 100 eggs in a single year

• Their popularity due to their size and skin patterns

• Their role in controlling the alligator population

• Their use in medical research

What is a consequence of python owners releasing their pets into the wild?

• The pythons become smaller in size

• The pythons start to hunt alligators exclusively

• The pythons reproduce, increasing their population

• The pythons migrate back to Asia

What is one of the reasons why the Burmese python is considered a danger to people, other animals, and the environment?

• They are too small to be noticed

• They are unable to reproduce in the wild

• They are massive hunters

• They are friendly to other animals

What caused many pythons to escape in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew in 1992?

• A) A pet store was destroyed.

• B) A facility where pythons were bred was severely damaged.

• C) The pythons were intentionally released.

• D) A zoo was flooded.

Why is there a concern about the population of wild Burmese pythons in Florida?

• A) They are an endangered species.

• B) They have been attacking people.

• C) They may become a danger to people and the environment.

• D) They are not native to the Florida climate.

What is the impact of pythons on native animal populations in the Everglades?

• A) They have no significant impact.

• B) They provide more food for alligators.

• C) They endanger small- and medium-sized mammals.

• D) They increase the diversity of species.