Burmese Pythons in Florida: A Synthesis of Biology, Impacts, and Management Tools

Authors

• Jacquelyn C. Guzy, United States Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Davie, FloridaFollow
• Bryan G. Falk, United States Geological Survey, South Florida Field Station
• Brian J. Smith, Utah State University
• John David Willson, University of Arkansas
• Robert N. Reed, United States Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, Colorado
• Nicholas G. Aumen, United States Geological Survey, Southeast Region, Loxahatchee, Florida
• Michael L. Avery, United States Department of Agriculture, National Wildlife Research Center, Florida Field Station, Gainesville, Florida
• Ian A. Bartoszek, Conservancy of Southwest Florida
• Earl Campbell, United States Geological Survey, Ecosystems Mission Area, Reston, Virginia
• Michael S. Cherkiss, United States Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Davie, Florida
• Natalie M. Claunch, University of Florida
• Andrea F. Currylow, United States Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center - South Florida Field Station in Everglades National Park, Homestead, Florida
• Tylan Dean, United States National Park Service, Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks, Homestead, Florida
• Jeremy Dixon, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Key Largo, Florida
• Richard Engeman, United States Department of Agriculture, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado
• Sarah Funck, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Rebekah Gibble, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Boynton Beach, Florida
• Kodiak C. Hengstebeck, University of Florida
• John S. Humphrey, United States Department of Agriculture, National Wildlife Research Center, Florida Field Station, Gainesville, Florida
• Margaret E. Hunter, United States Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Gainesville, Florida
• Jillian M. Josimovich, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Avon Park, Florida
• Jennifer Ketterlin, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Southwest Region, Sacramento, California
• Michael Kirkland, South Florida Water Management District
• Frank J. Mazzotti, University of Florida
• Robert McCleery, University of Florida
• Melissa A. Miller, University of Florida
• Matthew McCollister, United States National Park Service, Big Cypress National Preserve, Ochopee, Florida
• M. Rockwell Parker, James Madison University
• Shannon E. Pittman, Athens State University
• Michael Rochford, University of Florida
• Christina Romagosa, University of Florida
• Art Roybal, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida Ecological Services Field Office, South Florida Office, Vero Beach, Florida
• Ray W. Snow, United States National Park Service, Everglades National Park, Homestead, Florida
• McKayla M. Spencer, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• J. Hardin Waddle, United States Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Gainesville, Florida
• Any A. Yackel Adams, United States Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, Colorado
• Kristen M. Hart, United States Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Davie, Florida

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2023

Citation

NeoBiota (2023) 80: 1–119

doi: 10.3897/neobiota.80.90439

Comments

United States government work

Abstract

Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus) are native to southeastern Asia, however, there is an established invasive population inhabiting much of southern Florida throughout the Greater Everglades Ecosystem. Pythons have severely impacted native species and ecosystems in Florida and represent one of the most intractable invasive-species management issues across the globe. The difficulty stems from a unique combination of inaccessible habitat and the cryptic and resilient nature of pythons that thrive in the subtropical environment of southern Florida, rendering them extremely challenging to detect. Here we provide a comprehensive review and synthesis of the science relevant to managing invasive Burmese pythons. We describe existing control tools and review challenges to productive research, identifying key knowledge gaps that would improve future research and decision making for python control.