A few months ago, Kevin Publidis coiled a snake as he walked through the tall grass of a small island in Everglades, Florida. I saw it shining in the sun — 14.5 feet long, 85 pounds.
"Python". He called out to his hunting partner, Anthony.
Not wasting time, Publidis grabbed the snake's head, but she bumped hard and the 25-year-old broke out of balance and fell on her.
"My hand went directly into her mouth," he told the post. "The sharp teeth of her razor were digging into my finger joints, which was intolerable. Usually they let go and take off, but she didn't because I was in place. I felt the organization tear. "
Immediately, Anthony came to the rescue with a credit card. "He pushed an American Express card between my hand and the top row of her teeth,it pushed the flesh of my hand out of her teeth, and I Was free to roll my hand. In that situation I was off duty for a few days, but the card was still usable. "
"Snake Aholic It's a different day for a man who bounties a snake, named "", three to five nights a week.
He earned $ 50 for the first 4 feet of reptiles, $ 25 for an additional foot, and used the Evergrad Restoration Fund, Paid to Publicis from the South Florida Water Management District. It comes from Florida. Recently, a photo of a £ 215 Python was released. The heaviest snake in Florida's historyhas been captured and the government is eager to attract invasive species — has increased exponentially as it was abandoned. As a pet — away from the wetlands of South Florida. So, in 2017, a licensed bounty hunter announced a program that could catch sly reptiles that were cataloged and taken alive before being humanely euthanized.
Pavlidis is one of 50 professional python catchers with a contract with the South Florida Water Management District. An additional 50 people are enrolled in Florida Fishand Wildlife. They are the only ones allowed to work in the national park.
After three and a half years of python hunting, Pavilidis is the 700th time. I'm closing the strategy. While saying he loves creatures, he also recognizes the need to avoid destroying the indigenous wildlife of South Florida.
"These snakes were originally imported for pet trading. They shouldn't be there," said theYouTubechannel dedicated to reptiles. Pavlidis said. "But for some reason, they invaded Everglades ... they are very efficient in growth and reproduction. Perhaps South Florida has over a million pythons."
And , He knows how powerful they are. A few years ago, when I tried to grab, "Python almost broke my wrist. He started wrapping around the back of my hand and twisting and pulling. I let go of the snake and as much as possible. I pulled it hard and loosened it before the bones broke. "
Pavlidis and his other hunting partner, Ryan Ausburn, Florida's longest python— 18 feet 9 inches and 3/4 inches — two years ago. I made $ 400 by splitting , but the money was never easy.
"The snake was a monster, extending into the water from knee to waist," said Publidis. "Ryan grabbed his tail and longed for his beloved life. I found my head and calculated a clean grab. This isn't the snake you want to bite. We drag her into the dry ground. , Suppressed her and kept her victory. "
After dying, hunters can do what they want skin; Publidis sells many of them as King Cobra foods.
Python hunting is a dream job for anyone from Long Island who graduated from SUNY NewPaltz with a degree in finance in 2018.
"I have been passionate about reptiles for the rest of my life," said Pavlidis. "[" Crocodile Hunter "star] Steve Irwin inspired me and has been passionate about snakes since he was seven. As we got older, the animals became bigger and more dangerous. At the age of 11, I touched python and fell in love with them.
Reptile fanatics during his senior years at SUNY Moved to Florida and landed an opportunity to wrestle with crocodile for tourists in Everglades National Park.
"I met the owner during a shark dive in South Florida, then we went out and caught a snake together for fun," he said. Publidis, who has never used a financial degree professionally, said. "Soon after, he called me and said he was looking for a new crocodile wrestler. I couldn't see living my life without it. I was in December. I was in Florida on January 3rd. Now I wrestle with crocodile during the day and go to Python as soon as the sun goes down. "
Almost hands The snakes I separated weren't all bad. He and Anthony put the snake in a bag, and the Paviridis ended up with a souvenir.
"I now have a skull in my personal collection," he said. "There is a piece of scratch on the knuckle. You can line it up in the mouth of the snake and see how it caught me."
And there are no difficult feelings. "I look at the skull and smile. It brings back good memories of the fight [and] reminds me of the mistakes I made and what happens when you underestimate the power of Python."