Movements and Habitat Use of Burmese Pythons in the Greater Everglades

The recent colonization of Everglades National Park and adjacent areas by Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus) has created significant new challenges for restoration of this world-renowned ecosystem. Not only are the hydrologic techniques traditionally applied to restoration of the Everglades insufficient for controlling this new threat, but snake management is an underdeveloped specialty that has been elaborated only for two comparatively-small terrestrial/arboreal snakes, the Brown Treesnake on Guam and the Habu in the Ryukyu Islands. Like the python, these snakes have the potential to threaten human health and seriously disrupt natural ecological processes. In the case of Guam, the snake's introduction resulted in a catastrophic loss of biodiversity. The control techniques developed for those island snakes (traps, searches, dog-aided searches, habitat modifications, prey base control, and toxicants) may be applied to Burmese pythons in the Everglades. However, modifications to accomodate the unique wetland character of the Everglades and the suite of nontarget species present in south Florida's reptile-rich continental environment will be necessary. Other modifications are ndeede dto optimize control effectiveness by matching control tool application to behavior, morphology, and ecology of Python molurus. For example, effective placement and spacing of traps must accomodate habitat use, size, and movement rates the of python. In this project, we will continue the highest priority task outlined in a 2005 workshop of invasive snake management experts (July 2005 - Invasive Snake/Reptiles Management and Response Workshop, West Palm Beach, Florida): conducting strategic field studies of python life history. In particular, we will continue collecting location dta for radio-tracked pythons with a focus on microhabitat selection in the breeding season (i.i., spring 2010). This information is critical for understanding the potential impacts of pythons on the Greater Everglades ecosystem. This activity will benefit the Greater Everglades (i.e., Everglades National Park, but also vulnerable conservation areas throughout southern Florida (e.g., Big Cypress National Preserve, water conservation areas (WCAs)), the remainder of the Florida peninsula, and coastal southeastern U.S.).