New research suggests Florida could better control its estimated 100,000 to 300,000 invasive Burmese pythons by targeting specific snakes rather than focusing on total removals, possibly reshaping conservation efforts in the Everglades.
Here's what to know
According to Popular Science, a study published in Ecological Applications found that removing mature female pythons would do the most to shrink the population over time rather than focusing on overall snake totals.
Using records from the South Florida Water Management District's Python Elimination Program, University of Florida Croc Doc Wildlife Research Team ecologist Alex Romer and his co-authors built a scoring method called the Weighted Removal Index. The system gives each snake a value based on traits including its age, sex, and the time of year it was removed.
"Our previous work treated all Burmese pythons as contributing equally to the population," Romer said. "But removing the biggest female we've ever caught is very different from removing a tiny snake that might not survive next year."
Because many younger pythons never live long enough to reproduce, taking them out does far less to change future population growth than removing breeding adults.
More background
Even with ongoing hunting pressure, Burmese pythons remain deeply established in Florida. The state still allows year-round hunting and continues to host an annual 10-day removal contest to encourage more removals.
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The emphasis on mature females comes from their reproductive capacity — an adult female Burmese python can produce about 70 eggs at a time, so removing one breeding snake could head off a large number of snakes from the next generation.
The researchers removing large females from the border zones of the invasion could reduce the odds that their young move into new territory, helping slow the spread before it expands any further.
What's being done?
Instead of counting every snake as equal, the new Weighted Removal Index is meant to judge removals by ecological effect. Romer explained, "The idea is that a big female might be worth 100 arbitrary ecological points, while a little snake might be worth five."
The study also pointed to the importance of timing, suggesting a possible shift. Florida's annual python hunting challenge takes place in the summer, but the data showed that snakes removed in January or February were fewer in number yet tended to earn much higher WRI scores since the majority of them were adults.
Prioritizing mature females and considering more winter removals, particularly in places where the invasion is still spreading outward, could make each outing more effective.
Biologist and study co-author Sergio Balaguera-Reina added, "Combining and plugging this knowledge into models … can be a game-changer that can really make a difference in the battle to combat these invaders."
Where can I learn more?
Python control is a hot topic in Florida. Wildlife managers and hunters are trying to find the most effective ways to manage the invasive snake.
• In Florida, scientists said critical new data is reshaping efforts to eradicate invasive Burmese pythons.
• Florida wildlife officials advise hunters to search for Everglades pythons on levee banks instead of in the water, to keep the advantage.
• Southwest Florida biologists used "scout" pythons to remove a record 8,080 pounds of snakes.
• Florida scientists found pythons are eating Nile monitors, complicating Everglades control efforts.
• Florida's record hunt removed 294 snakes in 10 days and barely slowed Everglades spread.
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