Florida has an invasive snake problem that is growing by the day. Despite efforts by snake hunters and conservation groups, the Burmese python continues to decimate the Florida landscape. Feeding on both small and large mammals, these massive snakes have been hard on regional populations of bobcats, rabbits, raccoons and even deer, among other species.
As they continue to grow in size (the longest was caught in July), their recently conquered territory is gradually increasing as well. The Burmese python was typically regarded as a South Florida or Everglades problem, which recent evidence suggests is far from the truth.
The snakes are moving northward, first occupying the area in and around Lake Okeechobee and now into northern counties and even neighboring states. According to data from the United State Geological Survey, pythons range includes much of the Sunshine State, including the state’s west coast. As sightings continue to fill in the blank spaces of the map, there are now confirmed python sightings in both Georgia and southeastern Louisiana.
Snakes Uhhh Find A Way
The consensus among biologists was that the cold weather in northern locales would keep the
Snakes in Florida and out of other nearby states. With the recent data, this has proven to be a falsehood. With colder temperatures often recorded in North Florida, researchers are finding that pythons are, in the words of Dr. Malcolm, ‘finding a way’. While a number of snakes inevitably perished during cold weather, others are seeking places of refuge. It’s been found that the surviving snakes have learned to burrow or bury themselves, helping them survive a few cold snaps.
This kind of will to survive is just what a species needs to keep its populations moving forward, despite our best efforts to curb it. With climates continuing to rise ever so slightly on an annual basis, computer models are showing that it might not be long before pythons spread into the American west. Models indicate that there could be a day in the not-so-distant future that the snakes are found in states such as Washington, Idaho and Oregon.
The question then remains; just how far will the Burmese python push its limits?
In just a few short decades, the snakes have planted their flag over 130 miles north of where they originated in the Florida Keys. Some experts believe that, with the right conditions, they could very well end up as far north as Canada.
At this point, with a bit of favorable weather and absolutely zero predators, it’s hard to say just what will stop them.
