In recent news:

Like a movie: Climate change to make U.S. den of Burmese pythons
Submitted by BJS on Thu, 2008-02-21 20:23.

Burmese pythons—an invasive species in south Florida—could find comfortable climatic conditions in roughly a third of the United States according to new “climate maps” developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Although other factors such as type of food available and suitable shelter also play a role, Burmese pythons and other giant constrictor snakes have shown themselves to be highly adaptable to new environments.

I’m thinking that this is a significant change to things. Here in southwest Louisiana, we have our native alligators, and the biggest get over 800 pounds, but when we switch gears and talk about snakes, well, we come up a bit short.

(. . .)

“Wildlife managers are concerned that these snakes, which can grow to over 20 feet long and more than 250 pounds, pose a danger to state- and federally listed threatened and endangered species as well as to humans,” said Bob Reed, a USGS wildlife biologist at the Fort Collins Science Center in Colorado, who helped develop the maps. “Several endangered species,” he noted, “have already been found in the snakes’ stomachs. Pythons could have even more significant environmental and economic consequences if they were to spread from Florida to other states.”

I’m thinking that they could also have gastronomic impact, in that a 250-pound snake would render a big stack of python steaks. I wonder how they would stack up against alligator as far as taste and texture.

Hmmm! An inch thick, a hot grill, some nice rub… A spicy sauce with onions and garlic and celery and bell pepper, and a couple of python chops simmering… Cut up into cubes, wrapped in bacon, baked until the bacon is crispy…

And it’s an invasive species, so there won’t be any of those pesky hunting seasons and bag limits.

As Boudreaux told Thibodeaux when they saw a space alien, “Me. I don’t what dat is neither, but you go make a pot of rice while I catch ‘im.”