Burmese pythons ( _Python bivittatus_ ) represent a significant invasive species challenge in Florida. These large constrictors are not native to the region; their presence is a major ecological concern, particularly within the sensitive Everglades ecosystem.
Estimating the Population
Estimating the precise number of Burmese pythons in Florida is challenging due to their cryptic behavior, ability to hide in diverse habitats, and the vastness of the Greater Everglades. Pythons spend much of their time concealed in burrows or aquatic environments, making traditional visual surveys and mark-recapture studies difficult to conduct effectively. Experts suggest that even seasoned herpetologists have a very low detection rate for pythons in semi-natural settings, sometimes as low as 1%.
Despite these challenges, various sources provide population estimates. Conservative estimates suggest tens of thousands of invasive Burmese pythons are present in the Greater Everglades. Other estimates from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) range from 100,000 to 300,000 individuals. Methods to approximate their numbers include tracking removal efforts, analyzing sightings data, and using modeling based on reproductive rates and habitat suitability.
How Pythons Became Established
Burmese pythons were introduced to Florida through the exotic pet trade, starting in the 1970s. Many owners, unprepared for their size, released them or allowed escapes. A notable event contributing to their establishment was Hurricane Andrew in 1992, which destroyed a python breeding facility, releasing numerous snakes into the surrounding swamps.
Florida’s subtropical climate, especially the Everglades, provided an ideal environment for these snakes to thrive. Abundant food sources and a lack of natural predators allowed them to reproduce rapidly. This combination of factors facilitated the establishment of a breeding population, officially recognized in 2000, leading to their widespread distribution across South Florida.
Impact on Florida’s Ecosystem
Burmese pythons have had a severe negative impact on Florida’s native wildlife and the delicate balance of the Everglades ecosystem. As apex predators, they consume a wide array of native species, including mammals, birds, and even alligators. Their diet is broad, ranging from raccoons, opossums, and bobcats to wading birds and white-tailed deer.
Studies have documented precipitous declines in native mammal populations in areas where pythons are prevalent, particularly within Everglades National Park. For instance, a 2012 study observed declines of 99.3% in raccoons, 98.9% in opossums, and 87.5% in bobcats since 1997. Marsh rabbits, cottontail rabbits, and foxes have also effectively disappeared from some areas. This aggressive predation disrupts the food web, reducing prey availability for native predators like panthers and raptors, thereby altering the overall ecological balance.
Controlling the Python Population
Efforts to manage and reduce the Burmese python population in Florida involve various strategies and programs. State-sponsored initiatives, such as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Python Action Team Removing Invasive Constrictors (PATRIC) and the South Florida Water Management District’s (SFWMD) Python Elimination Program (PEP), employ trained contractors to locate and remove pythons. These programs compensate individuals for their efforts, with over 23,500 pythons removed from natural areas in Florida as of April 2025.
Research into new detection and removal techniques is ongoing, including the use of “scout snakes” fitted with radio transmitters to lead researchers to other pythons, and the development of robotic rabbits that mimic prey to lure pythons out of hiding. Public engagement is also encouraged through events like the annual Florida Python Challenge, which raises awareness and incentivizes python removal. Despite these efforts, the vast, difficult-to-access habitat of the Everglades and the pythons’ cryptic nature present ongoing challenges to effective population control.