Government Bans Import Of Four Large Snakes To Protect Everglades [VIDEO]

The U.S. government has banned the import of four large species of snakes in an effort to help preserve and protect the Florida Everglades.  The Everglades have been overrun with snakes imported into the country as pets, which later either escape or are released.

The current estimates are that some 200,000 of the reptiles now inhabit the Everglades and cause problems by eating native birds and their eggs, as well as consuming alligators and other animals.

The Burmese Python, North and South African Pythons, and the Yellow Anaconda are now on the banned species list.  Arguably several other snakes should be added, but according to authorities, these four are causing the greatest problems with native wildlife in the sensitive region.

Despite the ban, which takes place officially in about two months, the populations of these snakes is actually increasing due to breeding.  Check out a video of some of the non-native snakes in action  below: (via msnbc.msn.com)