Invasive species are considered to be second only to habitat degradation in terms of negative impacts on the Earth’s ecosystems, and our scientists make up a significant proportion of the global expertise in the rapidly-growing problem of invasive reptiles.
FORT's invasive reptile research in Florida focuses on understanding impacts and developing adaptive control opportunities for Burmese pythons and other recent invaders such as black and white tegus. Branch scientists combine extensive herpetological expertise with cutting-edge quantitative skills to inform and estimate detection probability, population size, and eradication prospects for a range of invasive reptiles. Projects and collaborators span across the United States mainland to Pacific islands.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Python Vital Rates
State Partnerships in South Florida
Ecology and Control of Invasive Reptiles in Florida
Mentoring the next generation: USGS, NPS, and University of Florida Cooperative Research Unit Invasive Reptile Intern Program
Cruising to Improve the Detection of Burmese Pythons in Everglades National Park
Giant Constrictor Snakes in Florida: A Sizeable Research Challenge
Below are publications associated with this project.
Supersize me: Remains of three white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in an invasive Burmese python (Python molurus bivittatus) in Florida
The influence of disturbed habitat on the spatial ecology of Argentine black and white tegu (Tupinambis merianae), a recent invader in the Everglades ecosystem (Florida, USA)
Brumation of introduced Black and White Tegus, Tupinambis merianae (Squamata: Teiidae), in southern Florida
Assessing risks to humans from invasive Burmese pythons in Everglades National Park, Florida, USA
Python molurus bivittatus (Burmese python). Minimum size at maturity
Invasive and introduced reptiles and amphibians
Phelsuma grandis (Madagascar day gecko)
Genetic analysis of a novel invasion of Puerto Rico by an exotic constricting snake
Severe mammal declines coincide with proliferation of invasive Burmese pythons in Everglades National Park
Snakes in the wrong places: Gordon Rodda’s career in invasive species research
Cold-induced mortality of invasive Burmese pythons in south Florida
A field test of attractant traps for invasive Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus) in southern Florida
- Overview
Invasive species are considered to be second only to habitat degradation in terms of negative impacts on the Earth’s ecosystems, and our scientists make up a significant proportion of the global expertise in the rapidly-growing problem of invasive reptiles.
A Burmese python slithering in the grass in the Everglades. Photo by Emma Hanslowe, USGS. FORT's invasive reptile research in Florida focuses on understanding impacts and developing adaptive control opportunities for Burmese pythons and other recent invaders such as black and white tegus. Branch scientists combine extensive herpetological expertise with cutting-edge quantitative skills to inform and estimate detection probability, population size, and eradication prospects for a range of invasive reptiles. Projects and collaborators span across the United States mainland to Pacific islands.
- Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Python Vital Rates
Researchers from USGS-FORT and WARC and University of Florida are collaborating on a long-term Burmese python research program in southern Florida to address management needs of partners and stakeholders throughout the Greater Everglades.State Partnerships in South Florida
USGS-FORT in partnership with the University of Florida and two state agencies (South Florida Water Management District and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) have initiated a scout snake program to increase the ability to detect and remove Burmese pythons from the interior of the landscape.Ecology and Control of Invasive Reptiles in Florida
This project involves ongoing development of tools for the detection and control of invasive reptiles in Florida, with an emphasis on Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus) and black and white tegu lizards (Salvator merianae). The goals are to reduce the risk of reptile invasions into, and impacts on, high-value resources such as Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve, and the...Mentoring the next generation: USGS, NPS, and University of Florida Cooperative Research Unit Invasive Reptile Intern Program
Invasive reptiles like the Burmese python (Python bivittatus) and black and white tegu lizard (Tupinambis merianae) are exerting tremendous harm on Everglades ecosystems, but these problematic species present an excellent opportunity to engage the next generation in science. Since entering into an agreement with Everglades National Park in late 2013, the Invasive Species Science Branch of the U.S...Cruising to Improve the Detection of Burmese Pythons in Everglades National Park
It is not uncommon to see researchers cruising around Everglades National Park (ENP) on what has been a routine basis for the past ten months. Every evening, interns pack into a Chevy Volt for their shift assisting the U.S. Geological Survey in conducting Burmese Python (Python molurus bivittatus) nighttime surveillance through observational surveys. This effort to detect non-native snakes, namely...Giant Constrictor Snakes in Florida: A Sizeable Research Challenge
Since the mid-1990s, several species of non-native, giant constrictor snakes, such as Burmese pythons and boa constrictors, have surfaced in localities throughout southern Florida. Several are known or suspected to be breeding and appear to be spreading northward. Increasingly, media and other reports of sightings or encounters with these animals have emphasized the dangers they could impose on... - Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 19Supersize me: Remains of three white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in an invasive Burmese python (Python molurus bivittatus) in Florida
Snakes have become successful invaders in a wide variety of ecosystems worldwide. In southern Florida, USA, the Burmese python (Python molurus bivittatus) has become established across thousands of square kilometers including all of Everglades National Park (ENP). Both experimental and correlative data have supported a relationship between Burmese python predation and declines or extirpations of mAuthorsScott M. Boback, Ray W. Snow, Teresa Hsu, Suzanne C. Peurach, Carla J. Dove, Robert N. ReedThe influence of disturbed habitat on the spatial ecology of Argentine black and white tegu (Tupinambis merianae), a recent invader in the Everglades ecosystem (Florida, USA)
The threat of invasive species is often intensified in disturbed habitat. To optimize control programs, it is necessary to understand how degraded habitat influences the behavior of invasive species. We conducted a radio telemetry study to characterize movement and habitat use of introduced male Argentine black and white tegus (Tupinambis merianae) in the Everglades of southern Florida from May toAuthorsPage E. Klug, Robert N. Reed, Frank J. Mazzotti, Michelle A. McEachern, Joy J. Vinci, Katelin K. Craven, Amy A. Yackel AdamsBrumation of introduced Black and White Tegus, Tupinambis merianae (Squamata: Teiidae), in southern Florida
An established population of Tupinambis merianae (Black and White Tegu) in southeastern Florida threatens the Everglades ecosystem. Understanding the behavioral ecology of Black and White Tegus could aid in management and control plans. Black and White Tegus are seasonally active and brumate during the winter in their native range, but brumation behavior is largely unstudied in either the native oAuthorsMichelle McEachern, Amy A. Yackel Adams, Page E. Klug, Lee A. Fitzgerald, Robert N. ReedAssessing risks to humans from invasive Burmese pythons in Everglades National Park, Florida, USA
Invasive Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus) are now established across a large area of southern Florida, USA, including all of Everglades National Park (NP). The presence of these large-bodied snakes in the continental United States has attracted intense media attention, including regular reference to the possibility of these snakes preying on humans. Over the course of a decade (2003–201AuthorsRobert N. Reed, Ray W. SnowPython molurus bivittatus (Burmese python). Minimum size at maturity
No abstract available.AuthorsJohn D Willson, Ray W Snow, Robert N. Reed, Michael E DorcasInvasive and introduced reptiles and amphibians
Why is there a section on introduced amphibians and reptiles in this volume, and why should veterinarians care about this issue? Globally, invasive species are a major threat to the stability of native ecosystems,1,2 and amphibians and reptiles are attracting increased attention as potential invaders. Some introduced amphibians and reptiles have had a major impact (e.g., Brown Tree Snakes [Boiga iAuthorsRobert N. Reed, Kenneth L. KryskoPhelsuma grandis (Madagascar day gecko)
No abstract available.AuthorsKenneth L. Krysko, James G. Duquesnel, Robert N. ReedGenetic analysis of a novel invasion of Puerto Rico by an exotic constricting snake
The tropical island Puerto Rico is potentially vulnerable to invasion by some species of exotic snakes; however, until now no established populations had been reported. Here we report and genetically characterize the nascent invasion of Puerto Rico by an exotic constricting snake of the family Boidae (Boa constrictor) using mtDNA and microsatellite data. Over 150 individual B. constrictor have beeAuthorsR. Graham Reynolds, Alberto R. Puente-Rolón, Robert N. Reed, Liam J. RevellSevere mammal declines coincide with proliferation of invasive Burmese pythons in Everglades National Park
Invasive species represent a significant threat to global biodiversity and a substantial economic burden. Burmese pythons, giant constricting snakes native to Asia, now are found throughout much of southern Florida, including all of Everglades National Park (ENP). Pythons have increased dramatically in both abundance and geographic range since 2000 and consume a wide variety of mammals and birds.AuthorsMichael E. Dorcas, John D. Wilson, Robert N. Reed, Ray W. Snow, Michael R. Rochford, Melissa A. Miller, Walter E. Meshaka, Paul T. Andreadis, Frank J. Mazzotti, Christina M. Romagosa, Kristen M. HartSnakes in the wrong places: Gordon Rodda’s career in invasive species research
When USGS research zoologist Gordon G. Rodda was a graduate student at Cornell University studying behavioral biology of alligators —or later, completing a post-doc at the Smithsonian Institute studying the social behavior of green iguanas in Venezuela or following that, as a statistics and sociobiology instructor at the University of Tennessee—he did not foresee that his professional future was iAuthorsJim WilsonCold-induced mortality of invasive Burmese pythons in south Florida
A recent record cold spell in southern Florida (2–11 January 2010) provided an opportunity to evaluate responses of an established population of Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus) to a prolonged period of unusually cold weather. We observed behavior, characterized thermal biology, determined fate of radio-telemetered (n = 10) and non-telemetered (n = 104) Burmese pythons, and analyzed habAuthorsFrank J. Mazzotti, Michael S. Cherkiss, Kristen M. Hart, Ray W. Snow, Michael R. Rochford, Michael E. Dorcas, Robert N. ReedA field test of attractant traps for invasive Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus) in southern Florida
Context: Invasive Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus) are established over thousands of square kilometres of southern Florida, USA, and consume a wide range of native vertebrates. Few tools are available to control the python population, and none of the available tools have been validated in the field to assess capture success as a proportion of pythons available to be captured. Aims: OurAuthorsRobert N. Reed, Kristen M. Hart, Gordon H. Rodda, Frank J. Mazzotti, Ray W. Snow, Michael Cherkiss, Rondald Rozar, Scott Goetz - News