Invasive Species: The Burmese Python
The invasive Burmese Pythons from southern China, Burma, Indochina, Thailand, and the Malay Archipelago are disrupting the ecosystem in the Florida Everglades by feeding on organisms in the wetlands.
Photo by David Clode on Unsplash
Many people have probably heard of the ongoing and detrimental issue of the invasive Burmese Python in the Florida Everglades. Burmese Pythons are ruining the ecosystem and negatively impacting the organisms living there.
The Burmese Python, a tan-colored snake with big dark blotches on its body, can grow over 20 feet in length and can weigh over 200 pounds. However, the ones caught in Florida are usually between six and ten feet long. They originated in and came from southern China, Burma, Indochina, Thailand, and the Malay Archipelago.
Invasive species are usually spread by irresponsible human activities. The invasive reptiles are not only destroying the balance of the ecosystem in the popular National Park, but are also preying on already endangered animals.
So, how did the invasive species end up in the Florida Everglades?
The Invasion
Photo by Florida-Guidebook.com on Unsplash
The Everglades were once known for the biodiversity in their ecosystem. However, due to the Burmese Python’s presence, the wetlands are losing their diversity and balance.
The city of Miami is considered to be a hotspot of the exotic pet trade. Burmese Pythons, originally from Africa, Asia, and Australia, are now invading Florida. They ended up in the Everglades due to irresponsible pet owners. Dealers would sell the desired snake to people, and when the new owners no longer wanted their python, they would release it into the Everglades. Because so many people did this, the pythons established a breeding site where they were able to reproduce and cause a disruption in the ecosystem. Now that this issue has become so serious and detrimental, it is illegal to sell or possess a Burmese Python in Florida. This has controlled the additional flow of the pythons into Florida.
There are estimates that the population of the pythons in the Everglades ranges from at least 30,000 to more than 300,000. A single Burmese Python usually hatches 12 to 36 eggs and lives for around 20 years. They live very long lives and can weigh over 200 pounds. This makes it challenging for them to be killed.
Impacts on Biodiversity
Photo by Ben Vaughn on Unsplash
When the equilibrium of an ecosystem becomes altered, ecosystems are unable to function efficiently and, therefore, nature is unable to inhabit a healthy environment for all of its organisms. Many altercations can and will occur when invasive species are introduced in a new environment. For example, species can become on the verge of extinction or endangerment, there can be conflict between humans and wildlife, and habitats can be lost.
The food chain also becomes disrupted and can alter as food shortages occur. This can lead to the starvation of animals. All organisms depend on other organisms and if an organism is removed from the food chain, it ruins the balance of energy in the ecosystem.
Disruption in the Ecosystem
Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on Unsplash
Many native species that once lived freely in the Florida Everglades, are now becoming endangered due to the Burmese Python. The reptile competes against the other organisms for food, habitat, and space in the wetlands. The snake’s sharp teeth are capable of seizing its prey, as they suffocate the organism by squeezing and constricting its blood flow.
Deer, birds, alligators, rabbits, and foxes are just a few animals that have been reported as disappearing from the Florida Everglades and being physically found in the stomachs of Burmese Pythons.
Culling
Photo by David Clode on Unsplash
Culling is the process of reducing or controlling the size of something, in this case, the invasive Burmese Python, by human removal.
Because of the ongoing and troublesome situation in the Everglades, the FWC encourages people and non-contractors to capture and humanely kill pythons whenever possible. They are not protected, except by the anti-cruelty law. This means that there is no limit on how many pythons people can kill, as long as the pythons are humanely removed from the area. These snake hunters kill the pythons with sharp hunting knives, as they are not allowed to shoot them.
There are also yearly competitions within Florida’s Everglades where the state of Florida encourages people to kill as many pythons as possible for a chance at $10,000. This activity garners many snake hunters by allowing them to kill as many invasive pythons as possible while also restoring balance in the ecosystem.
How Can We Help?
Photo by Gabriel Soto on Unsplash
The best way to be part of the solution is to learn how to spot a Burmese Python, and then alert someone who can catch it. Also, under the Lacey Act, the act of selling or possessing a Burmese Python is illegal, which will prevent the influx of more pythons.
Recap
The invasive Burmese Pythons from southern China, Burma, Indochina, Thailand, and the Malay Archipelago are disrupting the ecosystem in the Florida Everglades by feeding on organisms in the wetlands. Irresponsible humans released their pet pythons into the wild when they no longer wanted to care for them. These actions resulted in the food chain becoming disrupted. An unbalanced ecosystem can lead to the starvation of animals as all organisms depend on other organisms for food. If an organism is removed from the food chain, the ecosystem becomes disoriented. Because of this drastic issue, the FWC encourages people to capture pythons in a humane manner and even hosts championships to attract more people.