On June 22, 2022, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida nabbed a female Burmese python in Everglades National Park.
That python set a world record, 215 pounds, the previous titleholder was 185 pounds.
When the biologists examined the reptile, they found an adult white-tailed deer inside the snake’s stomach. The deer are a main source of food for the pythons, as well as for some endangered species, such as panthers.
“The removal of female pythons plays a critical role in disrupting the breeding cycle of these apex predators that are wreaking havoc on the Everglades ecosystem and taking food sources from other native species,” said Ian Bartoszek, the Conservancy’s environmental science project manager.
A male python named Dionysus carrying a radio transmitter helped the Conservancy of Southwest Florida track where the snake slithered. The males are attracted to the biggest females. When Dionysus was in the same area in the Everglades for weeks, they guessed he was meeting a female. Dionysus also helped the team to find four female Burmese pythons.
Native to Southeast Asia, Burmese pythons were introduced to the United States as exotic pets. They got into the Everglades ecosystem after Hurricane Andrew. Nowadays, it is impossible to get rid of the animals from the wilderness completely. People now are trying to reduce the spread. There is an annual “Python Challenge” to capture the invasive animals with rewards. In 2021 the competition helped remove 223 Burmese pythons from the Everglades.
Link to Article:
https://www.dogonews.com/2022/6/27/record-breaking-215-pound-burmese-python-captured-in-florida
That python set a world record, 215 pounds, the previous titleholder was 185 pounds.
When the biologists examined the reptile, they found an adult white-tailed deer inside the snake’s stomach. The deer are a main source of food for the pythons, as well as for some endangered species, such as panthers.
“The removal of female pythons plays a critical role in disrupting the breeding cycle of these apex predators that are wreaking havoc on the Everglades ecosystem and taking food sources from other native species,” said Ian Bartoszek, the Conservancy’s environmental science project manager.
A male python named Dionysus carrying a radio transmitter helped the Conservancy of Southwest Florida track where the snake slithered. The males are attracted to the biggest females. When Dionysus was in the same area in the Everglades for weeks, they guessed he was meeting a female. Dionysus also helped the team to find four female Burmese pythons.
Native to Southeast Asia, Burmese pythons were introduced to the United States as exotic pets. They got into the Everglades ecosystem after Hurricane Andrew. Nowadays, it is impossible to get rid of the animals from the wilderness completely. People now are trying to reduce the spread. There is an annual “Python Challenge” to capture the invasive animals with rewards. In 2021 the competition helped remove 223 Burmese pythons from the Everglades.
Link to Article:
https://www.dogonews.com/2022/6/27/record-breaking-215-pound-burmese-python-captured-in-florida
