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Burmese Python Effect

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Feeling the Squeeze: The effects of the Python molorus bivittatus
(Burmese python) in South Florida
Inez Broom
PCB 4043
October 7, 2015 Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the effects of Burmese python in their non-native environment of South Florida. The discovery of how and why they have made South Florida their home and the impact they have had on the local ecosystem will be discussed. In addition, the management and control methods being used.
Introduction
The Python molorus bivittatus referred to as the Burmese python originated from Southeast Asia and have made South Florida their permanent home. Burmese python have been considered a subspecies to the native Indian python and have been able to squeeze out …show more content…
2009). The first actual record of Burmese python was in 1979 in Everglades National Park, however the first established populations were recorded in 2000; at this point causing an increase in attention and investigation of these invaders. Burmese pythons can reach up to five and one half meters which is approximately 18 feet, weigh up to 150 pounds and a female can produce anywhere from eight to 107 eggs. The diet of pythons range from mammals, fish, amphibians, birds, and even other reptiles. Although they are not venomous they are powerful biters and constrictors. It has yet to be determined the mean at which these reptiles were introduced to South Florida through either intentional release via the release of unwanted pets or the accidental release: the escape of pets or even the media speculated event of Hurricane Andrew 1992 causing the release of snakes out of a snake sanctuary (has yet to be …show more content…
It has been estimated that there approximately 30,000 of these reptiles living in South Florida measured by density; the population ranges throughout Everglades National Park as far south as the Florida Keys. A series of experiment were done to determine the eating habits of these predators: a roadkill study and stomach content examinations in particular. In the roadkill study, surveyors not only showed a decrease in the amount of roadkill seen, but decrease in overall mammal encounters as well. According to Dorcas et al., there was a 99.3% decrease in the observation of raccoons, 98.9% decrease in the observation of opossums, and an 87.5 decrease in the observation of bobcats. When stomach contents were examined the following were found mammals (ranging from small: raccoons, opossums to large: deer, bobcats), birds (over 25 different species), amphibians, and even fellow reptiles (an occasional alligator). According to the stomach content examination by Dove et al. 25% of the Burmese python collected between the years of 2003 and 2008 there were bird remains found their digestive tract. Their broad diet has led to competition with native species; in some cases even becoming a threat. The consumption of these animals not only effects the animals that are being consumed, but the other animals

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