The Menace of Burmese Python in Florida

How Burmese Python became a problem for Florida

Invasive, non-native species can become problematic. One of the most notorious examples of such a species is the Burmese Python in Florida. One look at the statistical analysis of the ecosystem of Florida is enough for anyone to conclude that these pythons have had a devastating impact on Florida’s native wildlife. The question is, how did these snakes, native to the Southeast Asian region, end up in Florida, where they now thrive?

The Burmese Python is one of the largest species of snakes in the world. It is non-venomous and kills its prey by suffocating it. The Burmese pythons are solitary by nature and only come together to mate.

Burmese pythons are native to South and Southeast Asian countries, such as Nepal, India, Bhutan, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, and other countries of the region. The Burmese Python is also found in China in the Guangxi, Yunnan, and Jiangxi regions.

It is an invasive species in the state of Florida. The python population in Florida has exploded exponentially to the point where the state authorities have had to intervene to prevent the python population from destroying the ecosystem of the state.

One of the main reasons for this surge of Burmese pythons in Florida is the presence of a perfect habitat. The Everglades, which is a tropical region in Florida, is ideal for pythons.

In the 1970s and the 1980s, the pet trade was booming in the US and thousands of snakes were sold as exotic pets.  However, due to the inability of some pet owners to take proper care of these snakes, several Burmese pythons escaped into the wild. Many irresponsible pet owners also released these snakes into the wild when they became unmanageable due their size. According to research, only a small number of snakes are responsible for the surge in population over time.

Florida 's ideal environment, combined with a high reproductive rate, broad dietary preferences and long lifespan have allowed the pythons to thrive successfully. These pythons can lay up to a 100 eggs in a year and due to their natural camouflage and climbing and swimming abilities, they are extremely good at hiding as well.

This has had a severe negative impact on the native wildlife of Florida. Because the pythons have a broad dietary preference and can eat up to 70 species of animals and birds, they have decimated the population of other animals in the region. Various studies and surveys have depicted a decrease in the population (ranging from 85% to 95%) of raccoons, bobcats as well as opossums. The population of foxes and marsh rabbits has seen a steep decline as well. Later, they were declared to have ‘disappeared’ from the Everglades, as they become perfect prey for the pythons due to their search for food near the water’s edge.

In response to the danger posed by the pythons, the state authority have enacted several legislations and drives to prevent pythons from further damaging Florida’s native wildlife ecosystem.

The Natural Conservancy of Florida initiated a ‘Python Patrol’ program wherein local people were provided with basic training to alert the python patrol team through EDDMaps reporting site, if they notice a Burmese python. Upon receiving the intimation, the officials would then take relevant steps to capture it. This program became successful due to the combined synergies of the National Park Service and the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

In 2021, the state organized a Florida Python Challenge where both amateur and professional snake catchers captured a total of 223 pythons. Such organized hunts are now common in Florida.

Photo Credit: DNA Zoo

Editorial Support: Phoenix Content India