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SPECIES: BURMESE PYTHON · STATUS: NONNATIVE/INVASIVE
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The Python – Invasive snake threatening the Everglades
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Geographic Range and Habitat:
Burmese pythons are native to parts of Asia, including India, China, the Malay Peninsula, and parts of the East Indies. In the United States, Burmese pythons are an established species in Southern Florida, meaning they are breeding and expanding their populations in the wild. Burmese pythons are also invasive, a term for non-native species that have detrimental effects on either humans, ecosystems, or both. Burmese pythons are semi-aquatic and inhabit jungle and marsh habitat in their native range, an ecosystem and climate with many similarities to that of southern Florida. The Florida Everglades, however, has a very different species composition than that of southeastern Asia. Southern Florida already has apex predators (i.e. American Alligators, Florida Panthers, etc.) that keep the ecosystem balanced. When a new predator is introduced, this balance becomes uneven, and prey for other predators can become extinguished, creating a ripple effect (trophic cascade) on nearly every species in the ecosystem. This is the very real threat of the Burmese python invasion in Southern Florida. Currently there are reports of Burmese pythons as far west as Naples, and are encroaching as far north as Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. Observations in other areas of the state are most likely released pets, and are likely unconnected to the established population in south Florida.
Disclaimer: If you have spotted a Burmese Python, please report it immediately by calling the Exotic Species Hotline at 888-Ive-Got1 (888-482-4681) or report it online here: https://www.eddmaps.org/florida/report/
History of the Florida Invasion:
The invasion of Burmese Pythons in southern Florida was the result of no single act. A conglomeration of released and escaped pets is thought to be the major driver behind the invasion. Events such as Hurricane Andrew in 1992, which destroyed a breeding facility for Burmese pythons, also contributed heavily to the now established population. The exact timeline of establishment is not unanimously agreed upon, however dates range from the 1980s to the mid-1990s. The invasion was first confined to Everglades National Park and Miami-Dade County, however in recent decades has spread north and west. Burmese pythons are somewhat limited by the frost line; they cannot survive in prolonged freezing temperatures. However, Burmese pythons are known to inhabit burrows of other species, such as Gopher Tortoises, which can provide a slightly warmer sanctuary needed to survive cold temperatures. This adaptation combined with increasing overall temperatures (due to climate change) may facilitate an expansion beyond southern Florida.
Why are Burmese Pythons so Difficult to Remove?
Despite an immense amount of attention and research, there is relatively little known about the population status of Burmese pythons in southern Florida. There are numerous obstacles making research and removal of pythons extremely difficult. One obstacle is the climate and terrain of the Everglades; dense sawgrass, thick underbrush, slippery floc, jagged limestone, and near constant inundation of water makes active searching/hunting for Burmese pythons dangerous and overly time-consuming. Burmese pythons are also sit-and-wait predators, therefore lures and traps are an ineffective method of removal. On top of these operational obstacles, Burmese pythons blend seamlessly into the environment; in fact very few observations have occurred out in the middle of the wetlands. The best chances of spotting a Burmese python are by driving rural roadways at night, where you may by chance see a Burmese python crossing the road. As one can imagine, this drastically reduces the area by which Burmese pythons can be removed and/or monitored.
Appearance:
Burmese pythons are large, thick bodied snakes. Adults on average are between 6-9 feet in length and weigh around 25-40 pounds, though individuals larger than 12 feet and well over 150 pounds are caught relatively often in southern Florida. Burmese pythons are yellowish brown overall with distinct dark brown blotches outlined by light brown or yellow. They have an elongated, triangular-shaped head with a brown pyramid-shape extending towards the mouth. Burmese python hatchlings have the same patterning as adults and are about 1-2 feet in length upon hatching.
Diet:
Burmese pythons consume just about anything that moves. They predominately prey upon small and medium-sized mammals such as Florida mice, hispid cotton rats, black rats, Marsh rabbits, raccoons, opossums, and even the federally endangered Key Largo woodrat. They also prey upon a range of wading bird species, including the federally endangered Wood Stork, and reptiles such as turtles and other snakes. Larger Burmese pythons require larger prey items, and some have been reported to consume bobcats, White-tailed deer, and even American Alligators. The high density of Burmese pythons and their capacity to consume prey has led to a depredation of numerous species in the Everglades.
Behavior:
Burmese pythons are solitary animals that are primarily active at nighttime, and are best seen crossing roadways at night. They are non-venomous constrictors, squeezing tightly around prey to suffocate it before swallowing. They are also ambush predators, and will hide and wait for hours in one place waiting for prey to stumble across them. This is a primary reason why traps are not effective for catching Burmese pythons. Burmese pythons are not inherently aggressive towards humans, but will strike if harassed. Although non-venomous, Burmese pythons have a large gape and sharp teeth. Do not attempt to handle a Burmese python unless properly trained. If you see a Burmese python, please report it to the Exotic Species Hotline at 888-Ive-Got1 (888-483-4681).
Reproduction:
Burmese pythons reach sexual maturity at around 8 feet in length. Females may lay anywhere from 30-100 eggs after a 2-3 month gestation period. Mating occurs during the winter and spring (Dec.-Apr.), laying occurs in late spring to early summer (May-Jun.), and hatchlings are often found in late summer to early fall (Jul.-Sep.). Mothers are known to defend the clutch and keep it warm by wrapping around it and twitching their muscles.
Active research:
Recent:
- (2020) Modelling the susceptibility of native mammals to Burmese Pythons: https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C10&as_ylo=2019&as_yhi=2021&q=burmese+python+reaction+diffusion&btnG=
- (2019) Use of eDNA (environmental DNA) from water samples to detect Burmese Pythons: https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C10&as_ylo=2019&as_yhi=2021&q=burmese+python+reaction+diffusion&btnG=#d=gs_cit&u=%2Fscholar%3Fq%3Dinfo%3ARHMyZDUaHfcJ%3Ascholar.google.com%2F%26output%3Dcite%26scirp%3D0%26hl%3Den
Ongoing:
- There are several ongoing management programs aimed at removing Burmese pythons, including use of detector dogs and VHF (very high frequency) radio telemetry. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) have employed certified python contractors who are incentivized to remove pythons. More information on this program can be found here: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/python/action-team/
Did you know?
- Burmese pythons are illegal to own as pets, and cannot be bought or sold in the state of Florida.
- Burmese pythons are both excellent swimmers and climbers.
- The public is encouraged to kill wild pythons whenever possible. It is legal to kill a python on your private property and on 25 public lands in southern Florida with the proper permit. However it is illegal to transport Burmese pythons, whether dead or alive. You can find information on the eradication and control permit here: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/rule-development/trappers/
Literature Cited
Bonneau, M., Johnson, F. A., & Romagosa, C. M. (2016). Spatially explicit control of invasive species using a reaction–diffusion model. Ecological modelling, 337, 15-24.
Dove, C. J., Snow, R. W., Rochford, M. R., & Mazzotti, F. J. (2011). Birds consumed by the invasive Burmese python (Python molurus bivittatus) in Everglades National Park, Florida, USA. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, 123(1), 126-131.
Informational Links / References
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/reptiles/snakes/burmese-python/
https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/python/fast-facts/
National Geographic:
National Park Service:
https://www.nps.gov/ever/learn/nature/burmese-python.htm
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service- Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
https://www.fws.gov/southeast/tags/burmese-python/
U.S. Geological Survey:
https://www.usgs.gov/centers/wetland-and-aquatic-research-center/science/science-topics/pythons
The Croc Docs:
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Taxonomy
- Kingdom- Animalia
- Phylum- Chordata
- Class- Reptilia
- Order- Squamata
- Family- Pythonidae
- Genus- Python
- Species- Python bivittatus
Species Listing Status
- Native- No
- State Listing – Invasive
- Federal Listing – Not listed
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