The Invasion of the Florida Everglades: Biologists Warn of Mass Extinctions if Invasive Burmese Pythons Are Not Brought Under Control
A recent study by the Conservancy of Southwest Florida has revealed that Burmese pythons in the Everglades have grown to a point where they can eat prey six times their size, including whole deer and alligators. The discovery has biologists warning of mass extinctions of native animal populations if the invasive species is not brought under control soon.
The study, which appeared in the scientific journal ‘Reptiles & Amphibians’, found that a 115.2-pound female Burmese python was able to swallow a 77-pound white-tailed deer, a find that has left scientists stunned. The video footage of the snake eating the deer shows its jaw unhinging so wide that its mouth can fit around the deer’s entire torso, a sight that researchers have described as unforgettable.
The discovery has sparked concern among scientists, who knew that pythons attacked smaller animals such as foxes, bobcats, and raccoons, but had not realized they could eat creatures as large as 14ft-long alligators. The impact of the Burmese python on native wildlife is undeniable, warned Ian Bartoszek, one of the authors of the study.
The Everglades, a massive wetland at the southern tip of Florida, is home to endangered species such as the West Indian manatee, the American crocodile, and the Loggerhead sea turtle. The invasion of the Burmese python has reached a tipping point, and biologists are urging swift action to prevent mass extinctions.
The study also revealed that Burmese pythons are able to eat prey as large as six times their own size due to their unique anatomy, which includes a lower jawbone that is not fused at the front, allowing their mouth to open wide enough to accommodate large prey. The snakes’ skin is also incredibly elastic, enabling them to stretch over an animal that is seemingly much larger than themselves.
The finding has led researchers to vow to be more vigilant in their efforts to control the spread of the invasive species. “The impact the Burmese python is having on native wildlife cannot be denied,” said Bartoszek. “This is a wildlife issue of our time for the Greater Everglades ecosystem.”