Burmese Python Owner Speaks
Cute little python,
she swallowed a mouse.
She swallowed a mouse
’cause she lives at my house.
Hungry python,
She swallowed a rat.
She swallowed a rat
and grew long and fat.
Exotic python,
never does any harm.
I walk along South Beach
with her hugging my arm.
Growing girl python,
she swallowed a rabbit.
She swallowed a rabbit
’cause it’s her new habit.
Big strong python,
she squeezes too tight.
I’ll let her go free
in the Everglades tonight.
Twenty-six-foot python
she swallowed a gator.
She swallowed a gator
and got hungrier later.
200-pound python,
she swallowed a deer.
She swallowed a deer
when it came too near.
Monster python,
She swallowed a car.
No, not a car–
I wouldn’t go that far.
But mama python
and her hundreds of babies
are causing extinction
of native species.
I’ll be very careful
choosing my next pet,
and never, ever
abandon it!
Reprinted from Hanging Out with Wild Animals II,
an environmentally-themed book series for ages eight to twelve
Copyright© 20018 by Cheryl Batavia
The Burmese Python is an invasive species in the Florida Everglades that is decimating native animals such as alligators, deer, rabbits, and tropical birds. Every year, a hunt is conducted to try to eradicate them. One snake that was killed had consumed two deer–a doe and her fawn. The size of this animal and what it devours is not exaggerated in the poem, though I really think it does not have a taste for cars! Having a Burmese python as a pet is no longer legal in Florida.
Gulf Coast Poet 
Now more afraid of snakes. The python swallowed a whole lot to grow and became this long.
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I am sorry, Katrika if I gave you a scare! I am not generally afraid of snakes and think they are beautiful to watch from a safe distance, but I would give a large Burmese Python a LOT of space! The photo in the book is not as scary-looking as this one. While I was looking for a photo, I found people with pythons draped over their faces and huge pythons draped over their shoulders. I am glad Florida no longer allows them as pets!
Again, sorry if I frightened you.
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