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Scientists make concerning discovery about invasive pythons: 'Watching [it] in front of you is something that you will never forget'

Efforts to control the python population have been ongoing for years.

Efforts to control the python population have been ongoing for years.

Photo Credit: iStock

Scientists have found that the pythons in the Everglades have stomachs that are definitely bigger than their eyes.

What's happening?

As reported by the University of Cincinnati, Burmese pythons, an invasive species in Florida, can consume prey far larger than previously thought. The researchers documented these pythons swallowing whole massive animals such as alligators, with one python famously devouring a 77-pound deer. 

Biologist Ian Bartoszek, who has studied these snakes extensively, described witnessing such an event: "Watching an invasive apex predator swallow a full-sized deer in front of you is something that you will never forget."

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Why are invasive Burmese pythons concerning?

Burmese pythons, originally from Southeast Asia, have flourished in Florida's Everglades, where their unchecked population poses a significant ecological threat. Their ability to eat large prey shows how much of an impact they can have.

The study's findings suggest that as these snakes grow larger, they can target even more significant prey, further damaging Florida's biodiversity.

Wildlife species such as raccoons, opossums, and bobcats are declining in population, with some species disappearing in certain regions. If the python continues to eat prey at this quantity, the ripple effects of the disappearing species can cause severe damage to the Everglades ecosystem.

What's being done about invasive Burmese pythons?

Efforts to control the python population have been ongoing for years, with initiatives such as the Florida Python Challenge encouraging public participation in python removal. Organizations like the Conservancy of Southwest Florida use "scout snakes" equipped with radio transmitters to locate and capture breeding females to reduce population hotspots.

Since 2013, these methods have led to the removal of over 9,000 pythons weighing more than 33,000 pounds.

Despite these efforts, the problem persists. Studies like this one aim to deepen understanding of python behavior and ecology, which could lead to improved management strategies. However, many agree that eliminating the species is highly unlikely, emphasizing the importance of education, continued removal efforts, and habitat restoration.

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