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Sarah R Sherburne

Sarah Sherburne is a biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey specializing in invasive species research to support science-based management strategies. 

Sarah's work focuses on invasive reptiles in South Florida, particularly large constrictor snakes like Burmese pythons and tegu lizards. Through her research-supporting role, Sarah contributes to improving detection, monitoring, and control efforts for these ecologically disruptive species.

Sarah brings a unique blend of field expertise and data management to her role. With a passion for both hands-on research and digital innovation, she describes herself as a data manager who isn’t afraid to get muddy in Florida’s swamps. Her experience spans a wide range of species that have included wild hogs, bats, tortoises, mongooses, and king cobras. She specializes in spatial analysis to better understand animal movement and habitat use while also mentoring the next generation of biologists. 

Professional Experience

  • Biologist, US Geological Survey, 2023–Present

Education and Certifications

  • MSc in Natural Resource Management, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thronburi, Bangkok 

  • BSc in Biology, University of Eastern Michigan, Ypsilanti

Science and Products

four people hold a large Burmese python over their shoulders, ferns and large trees in the background

Invasive Burmese python research in the Greater Everglades

USGS leads federal research to control the highly invasive Burmese python ( Python bivittatus), which has become firmly established across the Greater Everglades Ecosystem and poses a serious threat to native wildlife. Capable of reaching over 17 feet long, this massive constrictor is believed to be a key factor in the sharp decline of mammal populations in the region. For over a decade...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , M3 Research Laboratory
Invasive Burmese python research in the Greater Everglades

Invasive Burmese python research in the Greater Everglades

USGS leads federal research to control the highly invasive Burmese python ( Python bivittatus), which has become firmly established across the Greater Everglades Ecosystem and poses a serious threat to native wildlife. Capable of reaching over 17 feet long, this massive constrictor is believed to be a key factor in the sharp decline of mammal populations in the region. For over a decade...
Learn More
two hands hold up a large black and white spotted lizard, with tables and lab equipment in the background

Early detection and rapid response tools for invasive tegu lizards

Scientists at USGS have shown that much of the US is suitable for invasion by tegu lizards, and suitability will likely increase in the future. While tegus can be removed via trapping, it is difficult to monitor every geographic area where tegus could invade. Thus, methods for quickly detecting and removing tegus in new areas are the best way to prevent spread and minimize damage from these...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Early detection and rapid response tools for invasive tegu lizards

Early detection and rapid response tools for invasive tegu lizards

Scientists at USGS have shown that much of the US is suitable for invasion by tegu lizards, and suitability will likely increase in the future. While tegus can be removed via trapping, it is difficult to monitor every geographic area where tegus could invade. Thus, methods for quickly detecting and removing tegus in new areas are the best way to prevent spread and minimize damage from these...
Learn More

Consumption of a non-native Walking Catfish (Clarias batrachus) by a Florida Green Watersnake (Nerodia floridana) in Everglades National Park Consumption of a non-native Walking Catfish (Clarias batrachus) by a Florida Green Watersnake (Nerodia floridana) in Everglades National Park

No abstract available.
Authors
Carter Haley, Eleanor Lane, Sarah Payne, Gabriella Silva, Matthew Fox Metcalf, Christina Romagosa, Kevin Donmoyer, Lisa Marie McBride, Sarah Rae Sherburne, Amanda Marie Kissel, Amy A. Yackel Adams, Mark Robert Sandfoss
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center

An Eastern Ribbonsnake, Thamnophis sauritus (Linnaeus, 1766), scavenging on a roadkilled Cuban Treefrog, Osteopilus septentrionalis, (Duméril & Bibron, 1841), in Everglades National Park, Florida, USA An Eastern Ribbonsnake, Thamnophis sauritus (Linnaeus, 1766), scavenging on a roadkilled Cuban Treefrog, Osteopilus septentrionalis, (Duméril & Bibron, 1841), in Everglades National Park, Florida, USA

No abstract available.
Authors
Sarah Payne, Eleanor Lane, Faith Dunlap, Madison Vasquez, Matthew Fox Metcalf, Lisa Marie McBride, Sarah Rae Sherburne, Christina Romagosa, Amanda Marie Kissel, Amy A. Yackel Adams, Mark Robert Sandfoss
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center

An early detection rapid response case study of the Black and White Tegu (Salvator merianae) and implications for a broader framework An early detection rapid response case study of the Black and White Tegu (Salvator merianae) and implications for a broader framework

Documentation of successful early detection rapid response (EDRR) efforts is lacking from the scientific literature but is needed to inform invasive species response protocols. The Black and White tegu (Salvator merianae) has become established in several Florida counties and its spread is of significant conservation concern. It is of high priority for state and federal managers to...
Authors
Mark Robert Sandfoss, Amanda Marie Kissel, Lisa Marie McBride, Matthew Fox Metcalf, Sarah Rae Sherburne, Travis R. Mangione, Matthew McCollister, Amy A. Yackel Adams
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Sherburne, S.R., Petersen, W.J., Yindee, M., Savini, T., & Ngoprasert, D. (2022). Javan mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) abundance and spatial ecology in a degraded dry dipterocarp forest. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 70, 289–304.
Sherburne, S.R., & Reinhardt, U.G. (2016). First test of a species-selective adult sea lamprey migration barrier. Journal of Great Lakes Research, 42(4), 893–898.
Chalkowski, K., Pepin, K. M., Lavelle, M. J., Miller, R. S., Fischer, J., Brown, V. R., Glow, M., Smith, B., Cook, S.M., Kohen, K.J, Sherburne, S.R., Smith, H., Leland, B., VerCauteren, K.C., Snow, N. P. (2025). Operational lessons learned from simulating an elimination response to a transboundary animal disease in wild animals. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 234, 106365.
Snow, N.P., Smith, B., Lavelle, M.J., Glow, M.P, Chalkowski, K., Leland, B.R., Sherburne, S.R., Fischer, J.W., Kohen, K.J., Cook, S.M., Smith, H., VerCauteren, K.C., Miller, R.S., Pepin, K.M. (2024). Comparing efficiencies of population control methods for responding to foreign animal disease threats in wild pigs. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 233.

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

Science and Products

four people hold a large Burmese python over their shoulders, ferns and large trees in the background

Invasive Burmese python research in the Greater Everglades

USGS leads federal research to control the highly invasive Burmese python ( Python bivittatus), which has become firmly established across the Greater Everglades Ecosystem and poses a serious threat to native wildlife. Capable of reaching over 17 feet long, this massive constrictor is believed to be a key factor in the sharp decline of mammal populations in the region. For over a decade...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , M3 Research Laboratory
Invasive Burmese python research in the Greater Everglades

Invasive Burmese python research in the Greater Everglades

USGS leads federal research to control the highly invasive Burmese python ( Python bivittatus), which has become firmly established across the Greater Everglades Ecosystem and poses a serious threat to native wildlife. Capable of reaching over 17 feet long, this massive constrictor is believed to be a key factor in the sharp decline of mammal populations in the region. For over a decade...
Learn More
two hands hold up a large black and white spotted lizard, with tables and lab equipment in the background

Early detection and rapid response tools for invasive tegu lizards

Scientists at USGS have shown that much of the US is suitable for invasion by tegu lizards, and suitability will likely increase in the future. While tegus can be removed via trapping, it is difficult to monitor every geographic area where tegus could invade. Thus, methods for quickly detecting and removing tegus in new areas are the best way to prevent spread and minimize damage from these...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Early detection and rapid response tools for invasive tegu lizards

Early detection and rapid response tools for invasive tegu lizards

Scientists at USGS have shown that much of the US is suitable for invasion by tegu lizards, and suitability will likely increase in the future. While tegus can be removed via trapping, it is difficult to monitor every geographic area where tegus could invade. Thus, methods for quickly detecting and removing tegus in new areas are the best way to prevent spread and minimize damage from these...
Learn More

Consumption of a non-native Walking Catfish (Clarias batrachus) by a Florida Green Watersnake (Nerodia floridana) in Everglades National Park Consumption of a non-native Walking Catfish (Clarias batrachus) by a Florida Green Watersnake (Nerodia floridana) in Everglades National Park

No abstract available.
Authors
Carter Haley, Eleanor Lane, Sarah Payne, Gabriella Silva, Matthew Fox Metcalf, Christina Romagosa, Kevin Donmoyer, Lisa Marie McBride, Sarah Rae Sherburne, Amanda Marie Kissel, Amy A. Yackel Adams, Mark Robert Sandfoss
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center

An Eastern Ribbonsnake, Thamnophis sauritus (Linnaeus, 1766), scavenging on a roadkilled Cuban Treefrog, Osteopilus septentrionalis, (Duméril & Bibron, 1841), in Everglades National Park, Florida, USA An Eastern Ribbonsnake, Thamnophis sauritus (Linnaeus, 1766), scavenging on a roadkilled Cuban Treefrog, Osteopilus septentrionalis, (Duméril & Bibron, 1841), in Everglades National Park, Florida, USA

No abstract available.
Authors
Sarah Payne, Eleanor Lane, Faith Dunlap, Madison Vasquez, Matthew Fox Metcalf, Lisa Marie McBride, Sarah Rae Sherburne, Christina Romagosa, Amanda Marie Kissel, Amy A. Yackel Adams, Mark Robert Sandfoss
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center

An early detection rapid response case study of the Black and White Tegu (Salvator merianae) and implications for a broader framework An early detection rapid response case study of the Black and White Tegu (Salvator merianae) and implications for a broader framework

Documentation of successful early detection rapid response (EDRR) efforts is lacking from the scientific literature but is needed to inform invasive species response protocols. The Black and White tegu (Salvator merianae) has become established in several Florida counties and its spread is of significant conservation concern. It is of high priority for state and federal managers to...
Authors
Mark Robert Sandfoss, Amanda Marie Kissel, Lisa Marie McBride, Matthew Fox Metcalf, Sarah Rae Sherburne, Travis R. Mangione, Matthew McCollister, Amy A. Yackel Adams
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Sherburne, S.R., Petersen, W.J., Yindee, M., Savini, T., & Ngoprasert, D. (2022). Javan mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) abundance and spatial ecology in a degraded dry dipterocarp forest. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 70, 289–304.
Sherburne, S.R., & Reinhardt, U.G. (2016). First test of a species-selective adult sea lamprey migration barrier. Journal of Great Lakes Research, 42(4), 893–898.
Chalkowski, K., Pepin, K. M., Lavelle, M. J., Miller, R. S., Fischer, J., Brown, V. R., Glow, M., Smith, B., Cook, S.M., Kohen, K.J, Sherburne, S.R., Smith, H., Leland, B., VerCauteren, K.C., Snow, N. P. (2025). Operational lessons learned from simulating an elimination response to a transboundary animal disease in wild animals. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 234, 106365.
Snow, N.P., Smith, B., Lavelle, M.J., Glow, M.P, Chalkowski, K., Leland, B.R., Sherburne, S.R., Fischer, J.W., Kohen, K.J., Cook, S.M., Smith, H., VerCauteren, K.C., Miller, R.S., Pepin, K.M. (2024). Comparing efficiencies of population control methods for responding to foreign animal disease threats in wild pigs. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 233.

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

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