Python patrol

江蘇 溫從秀

The first Burmese python（緬甸蟒蛇）found in the Everglades in 1979 was likely a former pet released or escaped into the wild.Today,tens of thousands of the snakes inhabit the mainland around Everglades National Park.While pythons aren't known to attack people,they have been known to eat a wide range of wildlife from tiny songbirds to adult deer and alligators（鈍吻鱷）up to 6 feet long.As they are getting in the way of the area's natural functioning system,they must be removed.However,finding an invasive python in the wild is difficult.

An army of trained volunteers and professionals is needed to report or respond to python encounters.The Nature Conservancy in Florida launched a python patrol in the Florida Keys in 2008 and with the help of Everglades National Park,expanded the effort to the mainland in 2010.Over 400 responders were trained by the Conservancy and they can safely and humanely capture and remove pythons they encounter.

“We encourage anyone who sees a python or other non-native animals to take a photo from a safe distance and report it to the free hotline,”said Cheryl Millett,the Conservancy biologist who transferred the python patrol to the FWC in 2013.

During training,responders are taught to pull an escaping python back by the tail repeatedly to let the snake expend a lot of energy.When the snake is tired,the responder grabs the base of the head to avoid getting caught by the snake.Pythons captured in the wild are securely bagged,boxed,tagged and dropped off for research or training.

A 17-foot Burmese python was recently captured and removed from Big Cypress National Preserve in the Florida Everglades,the largest ever captured there.It weighed 140 pounds and took four people to carry.This story gained national attention and was featured in The New York Times.

“Right now,imported species are innocent until proven guilty,”says Kris Serbesoff-King,the Conservancy's director of science and planning.“As a nation,we need to be cautious to take in new species.We must make sure that the imported wildlife will not harm the lands and waters we are working to protect.”

1.What does Para.1 mainly talk about?

A.What people think about pythons.

B.Why a python patrol was founded.

C.How pythons hunt for creatures.

D.When pythons invaded the Everglades.

2.What can be inferred about the responders in the python patrol?

A.They get well paid for their work.

B.They can kill the pythons they encounter.

C.They are trained by Everglades National Park.

D.They can take photos of pythons from a safe distance.

3.Why do responders pull an escaping python back by the tail repeatedly?

A.To exhaust the python.

B.To avoid being attacked.

C.To get the python bagged.

D.To escape from the python.

4.What is Kris Serbesoff-King's attitude towards imported species?

A.Indifferent. B.Opposed.

C.Neutral. D.Worried.

Complete the following passage with a proper word or with the words given in their properforms.

Burmese pythons are among 1.__________（large） snakes on the earth,and are native to the rainforests of Southeast Asia.They may reach 2._________length of 26 feet and a weight of more than 200 pounds.The average size of a Burmese python 3._________（remove） in Florida is 8 to 10 feet.Burmese pythons spend lots of time hiding in wait,4.________allows them to expend a lot of energy in a short burst to surprise-capture their prey（獵物）.There is a low risk of a human attack by a Burmese python.Documented human attacks by pythons in the United States involve the owner's captive snakes and their owner or 5._________（immediately）family.

In the 1980s,these snakes 6.__________（bring） to Florida as pets.Later,however,many were released in the swamp（沼澤）7.__________their owners.Since then,Burmese pythons 8._________（increase） in numbers to tens of thousands,and have destroyed the population of native wildlife in the Everglades National Park in Florida.9.___________（scientist） Mike Rochford and Skip Snow are using special equipment to catch these snakes and study 10.___________（they） movements.In their opinion,early-detection and rapid-response is the best way to stop pythons from spreading.