Burmese Pythons in Florida
Encyclopedia
The Burmese python
, a large, non-venomous constrictor native to Southeast Asia, has been sighted and captured with increasing frequency in the Everglades
and is generally labeled an invasive species
. Their range is expanding, though the eventual limits are still disputed, and efforts are underway to control or eradicate them.
In February 2008, USGS scientists published a projected range map for the US, based on average climate data of the snake's home range and global warming
projections, which predicted that these snakes could eventually migrate to and flourish in as much as a third of the continental United States
by the end of the 21st century. Live studies of snakes at the Savannah River Ecology lab indicate an intolerance of below freezing weather, as all snakes released died over the winter. This draws into contention the validity of the USGS report, with many critics citing the very limited number of variables utilized by Gordon Rodda et al when the map was created.
Burmese pythons captured in the everglades have been found with a wide variety of mammals and birds in their stomachs, including endangered species and even small alligators. Larger alligators have been observed preying upon pythons.. The two more or less fight as equals. In October 2005, Everglades National Park
Rangers, (USA), had discovered the carcass of a 6-foot (1.8 meter) American Alligator
protruding from the burst and headless body of 13-foot (4 meter) Burmese python
. It was suggested that a third animal or human was responsible for cutting open and decapitating the snake.
In October 2011, a 16-foot (4.9 meter) Burmese python was discovered and captured shortly after it consumed a 76-pound (34.5 kg) deer
. With a maximum girth
of 44 inches (1.1 meters), this python was one of the largest ever found in Florida.
and took place in the Everglades between March 8 and April 17, 2010 in hopes of reducing the snake's numbers. Other proposed methods include trapping and tracking radio-tagged snakes.
Burmese Python
The Burmese Python is the largest subspecies of the Indian Python and one of the 6 largest snakes in the world, native to a large variation of tropic and subtropic areas of Southern- and Southeast Asia. They are often found near water and are sometimes semi-aquatic, but can also be found in trees...
, a large, non-venomous constrictor native to Southeast Asia, has been sighted and captured with increasing frequency in the Everglades
Everglades
The Everglades are subtropical wetlands in the southern portion of the U.S. state of Florida, comprising the southern half of a large watershed. The system begins near Orlando with the Kissimmee River, which discharges into the vast but shallow Lake Okeechobee...
and is generally labeled an invasive species
Invasive species
"Invasive species", or invasive exotics, is a nomenclature term and categorization phrase used for flora and fauna, and for specific restoration-preservation processes in native habitats, with several definitions....
. Their range is expanding, though the eventual limits are still disputed, and efforts are underway to control or eradicate them.
Timeline
While isolated individuals, probably recent releases or escapees, have been reported since the 1980s, the numbers captured since 2000 have shown a dramatic increase. However, the increase in python captures in the Everglades may be due to an increase in search effort in recent years. A severe winter in early 2010 is believed to have killed a large number of the snakes, but there are currently no publications suggesting this significantly reduced the overall population. The incident has brought in to question the possibility of cold snaps helping to propagate a more cold-resistant population by weeding out less cold-hardy individuals. 2011 also produced evidence of cold-killed Burmese pythons, and the largest snakes appear to be most vulnerable.Origin
While the origin of this snake in the Everglades is unknown, blame has fallen on pet owners thought to have abandoned the snakes once they reached unmanageable sizes. An alternative theory states that a specific holding warehouse filled with newly imported Burmese pythons was destroyed by Hurricane Andrew, releasing the snakes en masse in a single area. Genetic studies using mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite genotyping have only been able to determine that the population in Everglades National Park is not genetically structured which could be explained by several hypotheses.Eventual range
Global warming
Global warming refers to the rising average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans and its projected continuation. In the last 100 years, Earth's average surface temperature increased by about with about two thirds of the increase occurring over just the last three decades...
projections, which predicted that these snakes could eventually migrate to and flourish in as much as a third of the continental United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
by the end of the 21st century. Live studies of snakes at the Savannah River Ecology lab indicate an intolerance of below freezing weather, as all snakes released died over the winter. This draws into contention the validity of the USGS report, with many critics citing the very limited number of variables utilized by Gordon Rodda et al when the map was created.
Wind Chill Factor
A subsequent study produced a map incorporating both climatic extremes and averages, which showed the Burmese python's range to be limited to Southern Florida.Ecological interactions
Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park is a national park in the U.S. state of Florida that protects the southern 25 percent of the original Everglades. It is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, and is visited on average by one million people each year. It is the third-largest...
Rangers, (USA), had discovered the carcass of a 6-foot (1.8 meter) American Alligator
American Alligator
The American alligator , sometimes referred to colloquially as a gator, is a reptile endemic only to the Southeastern United States. It is one of the two living species of alligator, in the genus Alligator, within the family Alligatoridae...
protruding from the burst and headless body of 13-foot (4 meter) Burmese python
Burmese Python
The Burmese Python is the largest subspecies of the Indian Python and one of the 6 largest snakes in the world, native to a large variation of tropic and subtropic areas of Southern- and Southeast Asia. They are often found near water and are sometimes semi-aquatic, but can also be found in trees...
. It was suggested that a third animal or human was responsible for cutting open and decapitating the snake.
In October 2011, a 16-foot (4.9 meter) Burmese python was discovered and captured shortly after it consumed a 76-pound (34.5 kg) deer
Deer
Deer are the ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. Species in the Cervidae family include white-tailed deer, elk, moose, red deer, reindeer, fallow deer, roe deer and chital. Male deer of all species and female reindeer grow and shed new antlers each year...
. With a maximum girth
Girth
In graph theory, the girth of a graph is the length of a shortest cycle contained in the graph. If the graph does not contain any cycles , its girth is defined to be infinity....
of 44 inches (1.1 meters), this python was one of the largest ever found in Florida.
Control
A skin-hunting season was planned by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation CommissionFlorida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is a Florida government agency charged with managing the state's fish and wildlife resources, regulating Florida's fisheries and wildlife, and enforcing related laws...
and took place in the Everglades between March 8 and April 17, 2010 in hopes of reducing the snake's numbers. Other proposed methods include trapping and tracking radio-tagged snakes.