Python captures by Florida scientists overshadowed by hoopla over annual amateur contest

Biologists with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida holding a 17-foot, 148 lb female python they captured in an armadillo burrow last fall near the start of mating season. They use "scout snakes" to track down gigantic female pythons before they can lay eggs. (Photo via Conservancy of Southwest Florida)According to the Bible, the world’s first con man was a snake. It deceived Adam and Eve, leading them to commit the first sin, which is how we wound up living in this messed-up world we have now. I mention this because we are approaching the start of Florida’s snake-snagging season. The official name is the Florida Python Challenge, but I like to call it “the Florida version of The Simpsons’ ‘Whacking Day.’ ” Starting July 10 and running through July 19, professional and amateur snake-catchers will invade the South Florida swamps to beat the bushes for Burmese pythons — literally. They’ll be vying to see how many “Burms” they can capture, motivated by the big-money prizes and extensive