Burmese python: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 12:32, 20 March 2024

Revision as of 18:20, 29 March 2024

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Numerous efforts have been made to eliminate the Burmese python population in the last decade.{{when|reason=the phrase &quot;in the last decade&quot; is meaningless without reference to a specific date or range of dates|date=February 2020}} Understanding the preferred habitat of the species is needed to narrow down the python hunt. Burmese pythons have been found to select broad-leafed and low-flooded habitats. Broad-leafed habitats comprise cypress, overstory, and coniferous forest. Though aquatic marsh environments would be a great source for prey, the pythons seem to prioritize environments allowing for morphological and behavioral camouflage to be protected from predators.{{clarify|date=October 2020}} Also, the Burmese pythons in Florida have been found to prefer elevated habitats, since this provides the optimal conditions for nesting. In addition to elevated habitats, edge habitats are common places where Burmese pythons are found for thermoregulation, nesting, and hunting purposes.<ref name=":1">{{cite journal |vauthors=Walters TM, Mazzotti FJ, Fitz HC |date=2016 |title=Habitat selection by the invasive species Burmese python in Southern Florida |journal=Journal of Herpetology |volume=50 |issue=1 |pages=50–56|doi=10.1670/14-098 |s2cid=86327588 }}</ref>

One of the Burmese python eradication movements with the biggest influence was the 2013 [[Florida Python Challenge|Python Challenge]] in Florida. This was a month-long contest wherein a total of 68 pythons were removed. The contest offered incentives such as prizes for longest and greatest number of captured pythons. The purpose of the challenge was to raise awareness about the invasive species, increase participation from the public and agency cooperation, and to remove as many pythons as possible from the Florida Everglades.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Mazzotti FJ, Rochford M, Vinci J, Jeffery BM, Eckles JK, Dove C, Sommers KP |date=2016 |title=Implications of the 2013 Python Challenge® for Ecology and Management of ''Python molorus bivittatus'' (Burmese python) in Florida |journal=Southeastern Naturalist |volume=15 |issue=sp8 |pages=63–74|jstor=26454670|doi=10.1656/058.015.sp807|s2cid=90352897 }}</ref> The challenge has run a few times again since then and is now an annual event over the duration of ten days.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Florida Python Challenge - Python Challenge |url=https://flpythonchallenge.org/ |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=Florida Python Challenge |language=en}}</ref> Recently, in 2023, it resulted in 209 pythons removed by 1,050 participants.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ICYMI: Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez Announces Winners of the 2023 Florida Python Challenge® |url=https://myfwc.com/news/all-news/python-challenge/ |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission |language=en}}</ref>

A study from 2017 introduced a new method for identifying the presence of Burmese pythons in southern Florida; this method involves the screening of mosquito blood. Since the introduction of the Burmese python in Florida, mosquito communities use the pythons as hosts even though they are recently introduced.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Reeves LE, Krysko KL, Avery ML, Gillett-Kaufman JL, Kawahara AY, Connelly CR, Kaufman PE |title=Interactions between the invasive Burmese python, ''Python bivittatus'' Kuhl, and the local mosquito community in Florida, USA |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=13 |issue=1 |pages=e0190633 |date=2018-01-17 |pmid=29342169 |pmc=5771569 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0190633 |bibcode=2018PLoSO..1390633R |veditors=Paul R |doi-access=free}}</ref>