Burmese pythons can consume prey even larger than scientists realized, according to a new study. That means more animals are on the menu across southern Florida, where the nonnative, invasive snakes have decimated populations of foxes, bobcats, raccoons and other animals.
That means more animals are on the menu across southern Florida, where the nonnative, invasive snakes have decimated populations of foxes, bobcats, raccoons and other animals.
Jayne examined three of the largest snakes captured by research partners Ian Easterling and Ian Bartoszek at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida measuring 15, 17 and 19 feet long. "Watching an invasive apex predator swallow a full-sized deer in front of you is something that you will never forget," Bartoszek said."The impact the Burmese python is having on native wildlife cannot be denied. This is a wildlife issue of our time for the Greater Everglades ecosystem."
Researchers examined the scaling relationship between the snake's gape and its cranial anatomy and overall size to understand its predatory capabilities. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida began its Burmese python research and removal efforts in southern Florida in 2013. Jayne said this enormous capacity to eat prey is a big concern if pythons spread to other parts of Florida and potentially the rest of the American Southeast. Burmese pythons are showing up in more places across Florida.
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