Burmese Python Essay

Introduction
An invasive species is defined as a plant, animal or pathogen that is non-native to an environment. With the introduction of an invasive species to an ecosystem it is expected to have adverse effects on the environment. The Burmese python is one non-native species to the Everglades. The constrictors can grow up to 7 meters, weighing up to 90 kilograms and live mostly on ground level or stay submerged in water for up to 30 minutes. This species of snake senses prey through chemical receptors in its tongues and heat-sensors along the jaw due to its poor eyesight. (Society, 2014). Burmese pythons kill prey through suffocating the animal by clamping down on the prey with its sharp teeth and coiling its body around the animal. The Python is able to unhinge its jaw and swallow food whole. Upon introduction into the Everglades ecosystem the snake with its large size poses a huge threat to indigenous species of the wetlands.
Current Science.
The biggest concern of scientists is that the Burmese

python has few predators and without predation the species of snake is hunting native species and reducing their population locally (Nonnatives, n.d.). In a recent study conducted by University of Florida, the U.S. Geological Survey and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, scientists released 26 marsh rabbits with tracking devices attached into the Everglades to determine the effect the Burmese python has on the population of the rabbits (Walsh,2015). The study showed that during the winter months the rabbits thrived and reproduced but in the summer months, when the Python's heat receptors are more active, nearly 77 percent of the rabbits were killed by Burmese pythons. The Marsh Rabbits were excessively hunted by the pythons to the point of extinction (Walsh,2015). Other species such as raccoons, deer, opossums and bobcats are close to extinction due to being a prey of the Burmese python. (Haberman, 2015).
As the snake species keeps on preying it also reproduces with population estimates being as high as in the thousands living in the Florida Wetlands. The first python nest was discovered in May 2006 and it was then confirmed that the snake is reproducing and increasing its population size (Harvey, 2008). In the separate study conducted by the University of Florida the team of scientists used radiotelemetry to track the timing of the pythons' movements and also locate populations during breeding season (Harvey, 2008). Termed "Judas Snakes" pythons were captured and implanted with high frequency radio transmitters so that teams could track and then remove the pythons once they began to mate. The study was able to capture 19 snakes in two years and also discovered the nests. Radiotelemetry also revealed that pythons have the ability to colonize almost any area in South Florida. The snakes were tracked moving 78 kilometers in only a few months upon release back into the wild, during the wet season when surface water was present, moving toward where they were first captured, establishing a "homing" ability (Harvey, 2008).
The study by the University of Florida in order to determine what risks the python's preying on the native population poses tracked the diet of the snakes. By analyzing contents in the digestive tracts of the snakes such as bones, teeth or hair of animal killed by the Burmese python, scientists were able to document 14 species of mammals, 5 species of birds, and one species of reptile (Harvey, 2008). Since the python has a wide range of animals that it preys upon many other animals are threatened by its existence in the Everglades. The documented animals include the endangered Key Largo woodrat, and two species of concern the limpkin and white ibis (Harvey, 2008). From the study scientists were also able to pinpoint other species that may be of such danger due to hunting by the python some of these species include the Florida panther, mangrove fox squirrel, Key Largo cotton mouse and the American crocodile (Harvey, 2008).
The team of the scientists also conducted thermal research to determine the activity level of the snakes throughout a period of time. Pythons were surgically implanted with temperature-sensitive data loggers, which would log the snake's temperature every 30 minutes. In doing so scientists were able to pinpoint the times of day when the snakes were in clear sight or hidden under water or in microhabitats (Harvey, 2008). The temperature research is able to help organizations responsible for removing the invasive species by presenting the best time of day to capture the pythons. The thermal data can also be used to further determine the dietary habits and frequency of the snakes and assess the correlation it has with the native species population (Harvey, 2008).
Scientists have come to the conclusion that the only way to stop the snakes from causing further harm to the Everglades ecosystem is by removal altogether. The goals of several non-profit organizations discussed later are to completely rid the Everglades of this species of snake.
Historical Background.
The Burmese python is not indigenous to South Florida. This snake is one of many animals being transported through commercial trade of pets. In 1992, hurricane Andrew hit Florida, which damaged zoos, pet stores, exotic animal warehouses, and wildlife refuges (Cornett, Brandon 2015). The Burmese pythons were among the many animals that escaped. Some fled to the everglades, and others to different parts of the state (Brandon 2015). Also due to the huge size of the pythons, owners were unable to keep the snakes as pets and released them into the wild where they are now reproducing and threatening the survival of native species.
Native throughout southeast Asia (Melissa Kaplan 1996), this snake species poses a huge threat to creatures in south Florida--specifically in the Everglades and Keys. This reptile feeds on numerous mammals and birds, and due to their length, size and strength, they also prey on larger animals such as pigs and deer (Entertainment 2016). Because these snakes have no known predators, they have become a problem in Florida, due to their eating habits (ambushing n.d.). They prey on animals like, the Key Largo woodrats and the wood storks, which are currently endangered species within the Everglades (B.P. n.d.). Scientists may fear that they may become more territorial and endanger even more species.
The South Florida Water Management District recognized this threat and requested the end of importation of Burmese pythons in efforts to help remove this invasive species (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services 2010). In 2012 the Obama administration with the Fish and Wildlife Service banned the important and interstate trading of four species of constrictors, one being the Burmese python (Haberman, 2015). They knew they could not effectively remove these snakes, if more keep coming in. Their proposal was passed and nonprofit organizations, stepped in to aid in the removal of this exotic animal.
Non-profit Organizations.
Nonprofit organizations that specialize in the removal of the Burmese pythons include: The Nature Conservancy, The Everglade Wildlife Alliance and Friends of Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (F.O.E).

The Nature Conservancy launched python control in 2008. They train and organize snake spotters and responders to safely and humanely capture pythons that they encounter. They also teach people what they can do when they can no longer take care of an exotic animal, such as a Burmese python. The Everglades Wildlife Alliance works to track down invasive species and also monitor their disruption and destruction of the Everglades. The Friends of Everglades Cooperation Management was created in 2013. They raise funds to apprehend these snakes and other invasive species at a faster rate. They wish to build a great defends against invasive species and to educate the community about the dangers of animals like the Burmese python to the everglade

ecosystem.
Conclusion.
The Burmese python being non-native to the Everglades has few predators and hunts a wide variety of prey thus threatening the livelihood of the ecosystem. Several animals such as the marsh rabbit are facing extinction due to excessive hunting by the python. Other native fauna is also facing the threat of extinction as the pythons keep reproducing and preying on the indigenous species. With the experiment conducted by the University of Florida, it was able to capture, implant and track pythons, which lead to finding other Burmese pythons. The method although expensive, costing 11,000 dollars per python capture and release is effective in finding the snakes throughout the Everglades versus the usual road patrol. The study also came to a consensus that the python as a predator is threatening the lives of many indigenous species of the wetlands and its removal is imperative in order to maintain the balance of the ecosystem. With data collected from the study such as capture sites throughout South Florida, temperature data, and dietary tract surveys of captured pythons, scientists were able to provide the best times to go capture the snakes as well as the impact it has on the population of native species. More animals are being added to the list of concern due to predation by the python making the efforts by several non-profit organizations to capture the snakes a necessity in order to preserve the ecosystem of the Everglades.