What Are The Florida Everglades?
The Florida Everglades span over 1.5 million acres and are located in central and southern Florida. It is one of the world’s largest wetland ecosystems that is incredibly biodiverse, and it has become world-renowned for its rich and abundant wildlife. Take for example, the vast array of three hundred different bird species that the Everglades National Park alone provides a home for.
The Everglades have also been home to indigenous groups such as the Miccosukee and Seminole tribes, many of whom still inhabit the area today. Many other non-native Floridians also inhabit this area and rely on the everglades for their home, food supplies, and more. Thus, the Everglades holds not only environmental, but also cultural significance for the sunshine state.
The Everglades landscape has been decreasing since the 1800s, as people began inhabiting and changing the area by controlling the water supply and building houses. This disrupted the original habitats of many animals and began impacting the ecosystem, leading to a relatively unbalanced equilibrium.
Amidst this landscape of disruption, the Burmese python has emerged as a particularly destructive force, exploiting these imbalances to wreak unprecedented havoc on the Everglades' delicate ecosystem.
Author: Greg Lovett
Source: The Palm Beach Post
From Pet to Apex Predator: How Burmese Pythons Took Over Florida
The Burmese python is a constrictor snake native to Southeast Asia, found in countries such as India, China, Thailand, and, as its name suggests, Burma, or modern-day- Myanmar. These pythons can reach lengths of over 20 feet, which is around 6.1 meters. They are incredibly strong, with their body being largely composed of pure muscle.
The precise reasons behind the explosive growth in their numbers and the severity of the problem remain unclear. However, the most commonly accepted theory links it to the exotic pet trade. According to the Everglades National Park, in the 1970s to 1980s, many people kept pythons as pets, but due to their extremely large size and generally difficult to manage nature, many owners released them into the wild.
Another theory for the current python circumstances is in regards to Hurricane Andrew in 1992, a Category 5 storm — the highest classification for hurricanes. The hurricane destroyed a python breeding facility, resulting in the release of all the pythons held there into the wild.
It is unknown the exact or even approximate number of pythons in the Floridan wild. The Everglades National Park estimates that it could be anywhere from tens to hundreds of thousands of Burmese pythons roaming around in the ecosystem.
It is also remarkably difficult to find and track these animals, as they are masters at camouflage and exceptional at hiding their nests, whether above ground or underground. This makes it nearly impossible for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission to be able to keep track of or control the number of these pythons. Additionally, pythons reproduce at an alarming rate; each female lays an average of 35 to 100 eggs per clutch. This reproductive capacity means that the python population could potentially multiply every year.
The Devastating Impact of Pythons on the Everglades
The issue with Burmese pythons as an invasive species is that there are no natural predators to control their population. As a result, these pythons have become the apex predators in the Everglades with an unlimited food source. Pythons are even known to eat alligators throughout their lifetime. In fact, according to Everglades National Park, pythons play a role in controlling the alligator population. This imbalance has led to the decline and near extinction of many native species in the Everglades.
A 2012 study on mammal decline in the Florida Everglades, covering the years 1997 to 2012, revealed a dramatic drop in the populations of several native mammals. Bobcats experienced an 87.5% decline, opossums faced a 98.9% drop, white-tailed deer numbers decreased by 94.1%, and raccoons saw a 99.3% decline. Furthermore, marsh rabbits and foxes have effectively disappeared. Meanwhile, more of these animals are being found in the stomachs of captured pythons, highlighting the troubling trend of declining native populations alongside the surging numbers of Burmese pythons.
Another concern is that since pythons are facing diminishing food sources in their natural habitat, they are increasingly venturing into populated areas. This raises significant fears among residents, as the pythons may begin to seek alternative food sources in these heavily human-populated environments.
Florida’s Fight Back: The Rise of the Python Hunters
To tackle the destruction caused by invasive Burmese pythons, Florida state authorities have taken steps to get a handle on the ever-growing population. They've launched a python elimination program, which, according to Everglades National Park, currently has about 50 contractors on board. These contractors can earn up to $15 per hour, plus an extra $50 for every python they catch, and a $25 bonus for each additional foot if the snake is over 4 feet long. The program has been making progress, with an average of 4000 pythons being captured each month.
The Sunshine State also has competitions such as the Florida Python Challenge, an annual 10-day event which attracts competitors from all around. These competitors come down to Florida in hopes of catching the longest Burmese python and earning the $30,000 prize. Outside of this challenge, the state does not pay individuals for killing pythons unless they are approved contractors.
According to the BBC, Florida has also added Burmese pythons to its prohibited species list. This makes it illegal to buy, sell, or transport pythons unless they were previously owned. Furthermore, current owners must have their pets registered and have microchips implanted into them.
The state also encourages its residence to humanely kill pythons if seen on private property, with the consent of the land owner. Florida also has a guide on how to humanely kill these snakes to minimize suffering for the snakes.
On the Hunt: How Python Hunters Capture Their Prey
First and foremost, for these hunters, it is of the utmost importance to distinguish between the native Everglades snakes and the Burmese pythons. This is because there are also many venomous and deadly native snakes that can be found within the everglades. These include snakes such as the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, the Coral Snake, the Pygmy Rattlesnake, and the Florida Cottonmouth. The Florida Cottonmouth is infamous because if bitten by one, its venom would paralyze your diaphragm, and without respiratory help, could lead to death in only three minutes.
It is important that hunters wear the proper clothes in order to avoid any potential bites from Burmese pythons, or any other snakes found. Despite Burmese pythons not being venomous, they are still capable of inflicting severe bites which could be costly. For example, if bitten in an artery, severe bleeding could occur, leading to death very quickly. Moreover, Burmese pythons are constrictors and, if large enough, could kill someone by squeezing them to death. These hunters are truly heroes, putting their lives on the line every time they venture into the wild.
Now, the usual goal for python hunters is to locate, capture, and remove them. There are a variety of ways which hunters use to track these animals, ranging from high-tech devices, the use of dogs or other animals, and plain old searching.
Once located, some hunters use snake tongs to gain control over the snake’s head, which helps in keeping a safe distance from bites. However, many seasoned python hunters, such as the well-known "Python Cowboy," prefer to use their bare hands. This approach allows for greater control over the snake. In order to use this hands-on method, hunters need to get the snake into a U-shape, with the tail under control and the head facing you. Ideally, you want the snake to start striking at you, exposing its neck. This is when the hunter can hopefully dodge the strike, and quickly pin down the head. The hunters should also have a bag or container to ensure the safe and humane transportation of the snake. Most of the snakes caught will be euthanized. However, the ones that are not killed will most likely be utilized in an educational or research capacity.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) unless the python capturers are contracted members with the state, then the pythons must be killed on site of where they were found and captured. Transportation of the pythons in this case is not permitted. There are also specific state guidelines on how to humanely kill the pythons. This is thankfully protected by legal and ethical laws.
The Road Ahead: The Future of the Everglades and Python Control
As awareness spreads about the invasive Burmese pythons and the brave individuals risking their lives daily to save the environment, the fight to protect the Everglades is more important than ever. As aforementioned, controlling the python population is very challenging, but the honorable hunters are stepping up to restore balance to this delicate ecosystem one snake at a time.
If you’re interested in potentially going on a python hunt yourself, you can join hunts like those with South Florida Fishing & Hunting where you can get an all-inclusive, fully guided python hunting adventure. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned hunter, these experiences offer a chance to hone your hunting skills while aiding the effort to save the Everglades.
Recommended Videos: Experience the Thrill of Python Hunting
If you're curious about what it’s like to step into the boots of a python hunter, these two thrilling videos offer a firsthand look at the challenges and dangers faced by some of Florida's hunters:
These videos provide a vivid, up-close perspective on the bravery and skill required to protect the Everglades from the invasive Burmese python.
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