Florida Everglades Overrun With 150,000 Invasive Burmese Pythons
- 10 years ago
An estimated 150 thousand invasive Burmese python snakes are living in the Florida Everglades. The results of a 2012 study show that the snakes are a threat to native species like populations of opossums and raccoons, with less than two percent of previous population sizes of these animals remaining.
An estimated 150 thousand invasive Burmese python snakes are living in the Florida Everglades.
The results of a study several years ago show that the snakes are a threat to native species like populations of opossums and raccoons, with less than two percent of previous population sizes of these animals remaining.
Even bobcat populations were in significant decline by more than 87 percent in areas where pythons have been living for more than a decade.
Although more than two thousand pythons have been caught and removed from south Florida since the year 2002, there are believed to be many more still living in the Everglades, and the python populations are difficult to control despite eradication efforts.
Park Superintendent Dan Kimball is quoted as saying: “With respect to controlling Burmese pythons, we are working diligently with our state, federal, tribal, and local partners to manage this invasive species and educate the public on the importance of not letting invasive species loose in the wild.”
Besides Burmese python, African rock python is another invasive species living in the Florida Everglades.
An estimated 150 thousand invasive Burmese python snakes are living in the Florida Everglades.
The results of a study several years ago show that the snakes are a threat to native species like populations of opossums and raccoons, with less than two percent of previous population sizes of these animals remaining.
Even bobcat populations were in significant decline by more than 87 percent in areas where pythons have been living for more than a decade.
Although more than two thousand pythons have been caught and removed from south Florida since the year 2002, there are believed to be many more still living in the Everglades, and the python populations are difficult to control despite eradication efforts.
Park Superintendent Dan Kimball is quoted as saying: “With respect to controlling Burmese pythons, we are working diligently with our state, federal, tribal, and local partners to manage this invasive species and educate the public on the importance of not letting invasive species loose in the wild.”
Besides Burmese python, African rock python is another invasive species living in the Florida Everglades.