The Burmese python is an invasive species and has done tremendous damage to native
wildlife in Florida especially to mammals and birds. In this video we will talk about the
threat of the Burmese python and what is being done to tackle this problem.
Originally from Southeast Asia, these snakes can grow to 18 ft in length and weigh up to
200 pounds. It kills its prey by constriction with its large body and then swallows it whole. These
snakes are apex predators. An estimate in 2013, puts its number in south Florida in the range of
30,000 to 150,000. These snakes arrived in the United States because of their value as pets.
It is estimated that around 99,000 snakes were imported between 1996-2006. However,
when these snakes are fully grown, they can be dangerous and burdensome to maintain by owners.
Owners have then released this snake into the wild. These snakes were also released in bulk
into Floridian swamps from a breeding facility during the ravaging of hurricane Andrew in 1992.
The damage done by this snake to the ecosystem is tremendous. A study (link in the description
below) showed that in the Everglades National Park,
observations of raccoons and bobcats decreased by 99.3% and 87.5% respectively from 2003 -2011
when compared to years before 2000 when the phyton did not have an established foothold in the area.
Observations of foxes and rabbits had declined by 100%. Further evidence of predation by the
python is the stomach contents of dead snakes which have shown to include deer, rabbits,
raccoons, opossums, and bobcats. More troubling is the fact that endangered or threatened species
such as Key Largo woodrat and wood stork are also being killed by the Burmese python.
So, what can be done to stop the Burmese phyton? Several attempts have been made to address this
invasion but these attempts at best have been described as moderately successful.
Part of the problem is that this snake is secretive and hard to find in the wild.
Scientists have shown some innovation by implanting radio transmitters in male pythons.
These males then lead biologists to breeding grounds during the winter season where a
female and multiple males aggregate. Using this technique, 86 pythons were removed
in the 2019-2020 breeding season. 53 of these pythons were female and had over
2500 developing eggs. This technique allows snakes in remote areas to be caught.
Also, the government has banned the importation of Burmese pythons and also placed restrictions
on interstate transport of these snakes. Another useful tool is the use of contractors and hunters
to remove snakes. These snakes removed by these individuals tend to be near roads and
levees. In 2012, in an organized hunt where 1600 individuals participated, 68 pythons were killed.
While all these efforts are noble, scientists believe that they are not effective.
Very few scientists think eradication of the python is possible at this stage. It is also
thought that the presence of cold winters in other parts of the country would limit the expansion of
the territory occupied by the Burmese Python as this animal struggles in the winter. This
was evident in South Carolina where these snakes died in an experimental enclosure over winter.
That is all I wanted to say about this issue. If you are still watching,
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