INTRODUCTION
For well over a century, exotic snakes have been rumored to prowl the Everglades. Today, however, rumors have turned into reality!
In recent years, snakes from around the world have been turning up in and around Everglades National Park. Burmese pythons, one of the largest snake species on earth, are now known to be breeding in the park and spreading rapidly. Nearly 1,000 pythons have been removed from the park and surrounding areas since 2002-- likely representing only a fraction of the total population.
Exotic snakes found in the park often result from their intentional release by pet owners. These introductions can have devastating consequences to our ecosystem. Burmese pythons have been found to feed on a wide variety of birds and mammals in the Everglades-- even an occasional alligator! By preying on native wildlife, and competing with other native predators, pythons are seriously impacting the natural order of our south Florida's ecological communities. Their voracious appetite can further threaten many of the endangered species we're trying so hard to protect.
Efforts are underway to learn how best to control the python population in the Everglades and prevent new invasions in the future.
