Florida Snake Hunters Deploy Robotic Rabbits to Tackle Invasive Burmese Python Crisis

South Florida has a new weapon in the fight against invasive Burmese pythons — solar-powered robotic rabbits designed to lure the massive snakes out of hiding. Wildlife experts hope this innovative method will help protect the Everglades’ fragile ecosystem from one of its most destructive predators.

How the Robotic Rabbits Work

Developed by the University of Florida in collaboration with the South Florida Water Management District, these remote-controlled devices mimic marsh rabbits — a favorite prey of Burmese pythons. Each robot is:

• Solar-powered for continuous operation

• Equipped with heat signatures and prey scents to attract snakes

• Fitted with cameras to monitor python activity

When a python is detected, wildlife officers are alerted and a trained snake wrangler is dispatched to capture and humanely euthanize the reptile.

A High-Tech Solution to a Growing Problem

The Python Elimination Program has been active for years, but spotting these elusive snakes remains challenging. Research shows the detection rate for Burmese pythons in the Everglades is just 1–3%, meaning hunters may search for hours before finding even one.

Robert McCleery, a wildlife ecologist at the University of Florida, said:

“Working in the Everglades for ten years, you get tired of just documenting the problem. We want to solve it.”

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Past Python Hunting Innovations

Florida has tried several unconventional methods in the past, including:

• Python-sniffing dogs (2020)

• Live rabbits in cages as bait (2022)

• Tracking devices attached to prey animals and male snakes

These methods have had some success, but Burmese pythons continue to expand their territory — now covering more than 1,000 square miles of South Florida, including Everglades National Park.

The Threat to Florida’s Ecosystem

The Burmese python invasion began after thousands were imported as exotic pets from 1975 to 2018, with many later released into the wild. They breed rapidly and compete with native wildlife for food, devastating populations of raccoons, rabbits, and even deer.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the snakes have now spread across the southern coast to Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.

The Road Ahead

Officials hope the robotic rabbit technology will significantly increase capture rates and reduce python populations over time. While it may sound unusual, wildlife managers believe combining modern technology with traditional hunting methods could be the key to protecting Florida’s native wildlife.

 Florida Burmese python removal, invasive python control, robotic rabbit traps, Everglades wildlife protection, South Florida python hunting

 

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By Zamal Uddin