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A Burmese python slithering through Florida's Everglades swallowed intact a 76-pound deer, CNN reported.

Contractors spraying vegetation Thursday came across the snake on an island near Everglades National Park. The reptile was dispatched, by protocol, with a single shotgun blast to the head.

"They are large exotic animals that are not naturally from this area," said Randy Smith, spokesperson for the South Florida Water Management District.

Officials commented that people often release such exotic pets into the wild when they realize the animals will grow much larger than expected. They concluded that this is, in fact, the worst possible course of action.（点击美国有线电视新闻网查看原文）

蟒蛇吞食整只成年鹿

       据美国有线电视新闻网报道，一条穿梭于美国佛罗里达国家公园的缅甸蟒蛇竟吞下了一头重76磅的成年鹿。

       土地承包人在为植被喷洒药剂时，于国家公园附近的小岛发现了这条蛇。根据相关条例，它已被一枪射中头部而死亡。

       南佛罗里达水资源管理区发言人兰迪•史密斯称：“这些大型怪兽并不属于当地生态圈。”

       官员表示，这些往往是人们饲养的宠物，当发现宠物长成庞然大物时，他们便将其扔到野外；事实上，这样做非常危险。

(China.org.cn November 3, 2011)