education

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University of Florida's "Croc Docs" are a team of biologists, ecological modelers, and outreach specialists on the forefront of wildlife research in south Florida and the Caribbean.

http://crocdoc.ifas.ufl.e

Nowhere else on the planet has such a large constrictor been introduced and established in a foreign locale as a result of the exotic pet trade. The invasive population of Burmese pythons in the Florida Everglades, therefore, requires resource managers to rely upon original scientific research and novel strategies to guide control efforts. Follow the links below to access additional resources on lessons learned and studies currently underway.everybhttps://www.nps.gov/ever/learn/nature/burmesepythonresearch.htmody 

 BURMESE PYTHON RESEARCH

“If we can continue to target breeding female pythons for removal the results are two-fold. We are keeping the invasive snakes from multiplying and reducing the overall impact on our native wildlife populations.”

- Conservancy President & CEO Rob Moher

https://www.conservancy.org/our-work/science/burmese-pythons?

Concerns

Because of its large size, adult Burmese pythons have few predators, with alligators and humans being the exceptions.  They prey upon native species and may reduce their populations locally. Research is underway to ascertain the impacts pythons have on native mammal species. While pythons will eat common native species and exotic species such as Norway rats, they can also consume threatened or endangered native species. One python that was caught on Key Largo ate an endangered Key Largo wood rat. 

Burmese pythons can pose a threat to human safety.  Pythons may also prey upon pets such as cats and dogs. http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/reptiles/burmese-python/

Educational Outreach through the classroom and media

Python Elimination Program

The South Florida Water Management District Governing Board is taking aggressive action to protect the Everglades and eliminate invasive pythons from its public lands. Starting in March 2017, the Python Elimination Program incentivizes a limited number of public-spirited individuals to kill these destructive snakes, which have become an apex predator in the Everglades. The program provides access to participants on designated SFWMD lands in Miami-Dade, Broward, Collier and Palm Beach counties.https://www.sfwmd.gov/our-work/python-program