The US Geological Survey today warned that introduced species of gigantic snake “constitute an exceptional threat to the integrity of native ecosystems”.

A new report from the USGS also warns that the largest examples of these animals are “probably capable of killing an adult human”. Luckily, “most seem disinclined to do so”.

More likely the snakes will end up – as we have already seen – in face offs with native wildlife. “Large alligators and panthers would be capable of eating the occasional giant constrictor, but large constrictors will likely eat alligators and panthers,” warns the report.

The report says the “overall organism risk potential” – the sum of the likelihood a snake population could be established and the consequences if it did – is high for the Indian or Burmese Python, Northern African Python, Southern African Python, Boa Constrictor, and the Yellow Anaconda.

The risk potential was deemed medium for the Reticulated Python, Green Anaconda, DeSchauensee’s Anaconda, and Beni Anaconda. At the moment only three species are known to be reproducing in the US: the Burmese Python, the Northern African Python, and the Boa Constrictor.

Don’t think that these snakes are nasty though, the authors of the report (Robert Reed and Gordon Rodda) are at pains to point out this is not the case. They write:

We can testify to these snakes’ attraction personally, as we both have kept pet giant constrictors. We can attest to these snakes’ beauty, companionability, and educational value. The love of nature is often originally fostered in one’s own arms, where close contact with living things engenders a connection not otherwise possible. And size does impress.

Image: Skip Snow of the National Park Service measures a Burmese python captured in the Everglades / photo by Lori Oberhofer, NPS.