How many pythons killed in everglades

While only in South Florida for an ecological blink of the eye, the Burmese python has already devastated the mammal population of the Everglades, severely threatening its biodiversity.

Another study, which fitted rabbits with radio transmitters and released them into the Everglades, found that 77 percent of those who died within the year met their fate at the deathly squeeze of the invasive serpent. There was nothing to keep them from doing very well. In , the state made python pet ownership illegal.

State and federal agencies are also upping the ante by hosting occasional competitive "python challenges," complete with cash prizes. Feeney says the elimination program has removed almost 4, pythons from the wild, likely a small fraction of the estimated number of pythons still lurking the Everglades. But he has some cause for optimism since half those snakes have been females—which are capable of laying eggs per year. The agency is also exploring more aggressive tactics, from canine detection to genetic warfare, which involves editing the genomes of snakes that are then released into the wild.

Or causes all the female offspring to die. And these driven genes could really knock back the population. The longest such snake ever caught in Florida measured more than 18 feet, wildlife officials say. The U. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has said that while most of the snakes have lived around the Everglades, some are moving further north.

People who spot invasive wildlife are urged to report their sightings to the state exotic species hotline at IveGot1 or at IveGot1. Subscribe Manage my subscription Activate my subscription Log in Log out. Regions Tampa St. Letters to the Editor Submit a Letter. Investigations Narratives Pulitzer Winners.

Connect with us. About us. Obituaries Homes Jobs Classifieds. Careers Advertise Legal Contact. Florida python hunters didn't miss a beat during the pandemic — they're breaking records.

Karl Schneider Naples Daily News. Show Caption. Hide Caption. Everglades python hunter helps maintain ecosystem she loves by removing invasive species. Python hunter Donna Kalil has caught nearly of the invasive snakes, which have decimated small mammal populations in the Everglades. Share your feedback to help improve our site!