The first time Elle Barbeito skinned an invasive Burmese python she almost lost her lunch. Twice. Initially she nicked the snake’s stomach with the razor and semi-digested prey spilled out. Things got ...

Q. Why is the skin of a python a threat to the invasive snake? FWC: Burmese pythons are a cryptic species and, similar to other snake species, their first defense is to blend in with the environment.

Editor’s note: Bill Kearney of the South Florida Sun Sentinel recently headed out to the Everglades, where the state’s annual Python Challenge is underway. I pull up at dusk to a half-dozen kids ...