How have invasive pythons impacted Florida ecosystems?
Non-native Burmese pythons have established a breeding population in South Florida and are one of the most concerning invasive species in Everglades National Park. Pythons compete with native wildlife for food, which includes mammals, birds, and other reptiles. Severe mammal declines in Everglades National Park have been linked to Burmese pythons.
The most severe declines in native species have occurred in the remote southernmost regions of Everglades National Park, where pythons have been established the longest. In a 2012 study, populations of raccoons had dropped 99.3 percent, opossums 98.9 percent, and bobcats 87.5 percent since 1997. Marsh rabbits, cottontail rabbits, and foxes effectively disappeared.
The mammals that have declined most significantly have been regularly found in the stomachs of Burmese Pythons removed from Everglades National Park and elsewhere in Florida. Raccoons and opossums often forage for food near the water’s edge, which is a habitat frequented by pythons in search of prey.
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Genetic Analysis of Florida's Invasive Pythons Reveals A Tangled Family Tree
A new genetic analysis of invasive pythons captured across South Florida finds the big constrictors are closely related to one another. In fact, most of them are genetically related as first or second cousins, according to a study by wildlife genetics experts at the U.S. Geological Survey.
Grappling with Pythons in Florida
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Burmese Python Hatchlings Seen on Key Largo
Burmese pythons have been found on Key Largo.
Burmese Python Habitat Use Patterns May Help Control Efforts
EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, Fla.— The largest and longest Burmese Python tracking study of its kind -- here or in its native range -- is providing researchers and resource managers new information that may help target control efforts of this invasive snake, according to a new study led by the U.S. Geological Survey.
Invasive Burmese Pythons Are Good Navigators and Can Find Their Way Home
Invasive Burmese pythons in South Florida are able to find their way home even when moved far away from their capture locations, a finding that has implications for the spread of the species.
Burmese Pythons Pose Little Risk to People in Everglades
The estimated tens of thousands of Burmese pythons now populating the Everglades present a low risk to people in the park, according to a new assessment byU.S. Geological Survey and National Park Service scientists.
Invasive Boa Constrictor Thriving on Puerto Rico
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Severe Declines in Everglades Mammals Linked to Pythons
HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Precipitous declines in formerly common mammals in Everglades National Park have been linked to the presence of invasive Burmese pythons, according to a study published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Salt Water Alone Unlikely to Halt Burmese Python Invasion
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Invasive Burmese python hatchlings from the Florida Everglades can withstand exposure to salt water long enough to potentially expand their range through ocean and estuarine environments, according to research in the latest issue of the Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology.
Challenges identified in using models to predict snake and other animal invasions
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Report Documents the Risks of Giant Invasive Snakes in the U.S.
Five giant non-native snake species would pose high risks to the health of ecosystems in the United States should they become established here, according to a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) report released today.
The USGS report details the risks of nine non-native boa, anaconda and python species that are invasive or potentially invasive in the United States.
American Alligator and Burmese Python in a Struggle
An American alligator and a Burmese python locked in a struggle to prevail in Everglades National Park. This python appears to be losing, but snakes in similar situations have apparently escaped unharmed, and in other situations pythons have eaten alligators. Photograph credit: Lori Oberhofer, National Park Service
Burmese Python
USGS researchers handle a Burmese python in the Everglades. Credit: USGS
American Alligator and Burmese Python in a Struggle
An American alligator and a Burmese python locked in a struggle to prevail in Everglades National Park. This python appears to be losing, but snakes in similar situations have apparently escaped unharmed, and in other situations pythons have eaten alligators. Photograph credit: Lori Oberhofer, National Park Service
Slithering Burmese Python
A Burmese python slithering in the grass in the Everglades. Photograph credit: Emma Hanslowe, USGS
Implanting a Radio Transmitter in a Burmese Python
Researchers implant a radio transmitter in a 16-foot, 155-pound female Burmese python at the South Florida Research Center, Everglades National Park. Photograph credit: Lori Oberhofer, National Park Service
USGS intern Jillian Josimovich displays a captured Burmese python
USGS intern Jillian Josimovich displays a recently captured Burmese python, an invasive species in Everglades National Park. Photo credit: Alejandro Grajal-Puche.
A Burmese python coiled in the grass in the Everglades.
A Burmese python coiled in the grass in the Everglades.
A Burmese python stretched out in the grass in the Everglades.
A Burmese python stretched out in the grass in the Everglades.
Python on a table
An 18 inch python found in north Key Largo, August 23, 2016 photo by Jeremy Dixon, USFWS.
Ladies of the Glades hold a very large Burmese python.
Burmese python swimming
Burmese python swimming