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The Growing Threat of Burmese Pythons in Florida
New research reveals that Burmese pythons are capable of consuming prey larger than previously thought, posing a significant threat to wildlife in southern Florida.
This discovery indicates that a broader range of species is at risk, as these invasive snakes have already devastated populations of native animals like foxes, bobcats, and raccoons across the region.
Burmese pythons have the ability to swallow their prey whole, taking advantage of their highly flexible jaws. The size of prey that these snakes can consume is influenced primarily by the width of their jaws, a measurement known as the snake’s gape.
Professor Bruce Jayne from the University of Cincinnati led a study that measured the gaping ability of pythons captured within and around Everglades National Park. His findings suggest that the largest pythons possess a gape larger than what previous models indicated.
Jayne’s research focused on three significant specimens captured by the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, measuring 15, 17, and 19 feet in length.
Previously documented pythons had a gape measuring 22 centimeters (approximately 8.7 inches) in diameter, but Jayne’s research identified a maximum gape of 26 centimeters (or 10.2 inches) in the largest snakes studied.
“At first glance, a difference of just 18% may not seem substantial,” Jayne noted.
However, he explained that the increase in the total area of the gape is a staggering 40%, with the largest snakes exhibiting a gape circumference exceeding 81 centimeters—roughly the size of a 32-inch waist in pants.
This remarkable gape size enables pythons to tackle prey much larger than earlier assumptions suggested. Evidence from stomach contents indicates that these snakes have consumed animals almost too large to ingest; one documented case involved a python devouring a 77-pound deer, which constituted two-thirds of the snake’s total body mass.
“Experiencing an invasive apex predator consume an entire deer is a sight that leaves a lasting impression,” stated Ian Bartoszek of the Conservancy. “The ecological consequences brought about by the Burmese python are undeniable and represent a critical wildlife issue for the Greater Everglades ecosystem.”
Understanding the maximum size of prey that these predators can consume is vital for predicting the ecological implications of their spread into new regions. The findings of this study have been published in the journal Reptiles & Amphibians.
Originally native to Southeast Asia’s rainforests, Burmese pythons have invaded Florida through various channels, notably the pet trade, resulting in both escape and intentional releases by careless pet owners.
Their extraordinary ability to consume large prey stems from their unique anatomical features. The flexibility of their lower jaw, which is not fused at the front, allows for an expansive opening. Additionally, the elasticity of their skin—which comprises more than 50% of the circumference of their gape—enables pythons to consume animals that are six times larger than those manageable by other snakes of similar size.
Pythons hatch at about 24 inches long and weighing roughly 4 ounces, but they quickly grow, doubling their size and weight within a single year. Adult Burmese pythons can exceed lengths of 20 feet and weights surpassing 200 pounds.
“Pythons longer than 16 feet are quite rare. Of the over 9,000 pythons captured by contractors in Florida, less than 1% reached this extraordinary length,” Jayne observed.
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida has actively engaged in research and removal of pythons since 2013, tracking the movements of 120 adult pythons equipped with radio transmitters. This initiative seeks to gather valuable data on their behavior and habitat utilization, which aids in formulating effective management strategies.
Bartoszek’s team has successfully captured 770 pythons, collectively weighing more than 33,000 pounds, all large enough to prey on animals the size of a fawn. Jayne estimates that if each python were to consume just one deer of the maximum size they can manage, it would amount to an astonishing 13,000 pounds of potential prey.
This remarkable capacity to consume large prey raises significant concerns about the potential spread of Burmese pythons throughout other regions of Florida and possibly the wider southeastern United States. Reports indicate that these snakes are increasingly being discovered in new locations across Florida.
“What we are witnessing could be just the beginning of a profound impact on prey populations in Florida,” Jayne warned. “Researchers are striving to understand how far this invasion might go.”
Source
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