USGS Multimedia Gallery: Burmese Python Caught in the Everglades

This giant snake from Burma was caught in Florida. The introduction of exótica species threatens ano ecosystem. Access the site:

USGS Multimedia Gallery: Burmese Python Caught in the Everglades


HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Precipitous declines in formerly common mammals in Everglades National Park have been linked to the presence of invasive Burmese pythons, according to a study published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 

The study, the first to document the ecological impacts of this invasive species, strongly supports that animal communities in this 1.5-million-acre park have been markedly altered by the introduction of pythons within 11 years of their establishment as an invasive species.  Mid-sized mammals are the most dramatically affected.


Bobcats are one of the predators that may be negatively affected by pythons, which both compete with them for prey and prey on them. Once-common opossums are now rarely seen in Everglades National Park, likely because of being preyed upon by Burmese pythons. The most severe declines, including a nearly complete disappearance of raccoons, rabbits and opossums, have occurred in the remote southernmost regions of the park, where pythons have been established the longest.  In this area, populations of raccoons dropped 99.3 percent, opossums 98.9 percent and bobcats 87.5 percent.  Marsh and cottontail rabbits, as well as foxes, were not seen at all.