Burmese Egg Laying Season is Here

They’ve been here for more than 30 years, and as an invasive species, the Burmese Python is changing the animal kingdom in South Florida. These reptiles are consuming everything from eggs to sparrows to deer and many mammal and bird species in between. Efforts are underway to eradicate as many of these snakes as possible, but it is a long and tedious process.

In 1992, the powerful Hurricane Andrew devastated southeast Florida and is deemed responsible for the release of many snakes from a python breeding facility when it was destroyed by 120+ mph winds. Being on the eastern edge of the Florida Everglades, these reptiles quickly adapted to a new home.

Native to India, Cambodia, Malaysia, and other countries in close proximity, the climate there is similar to the swampy area of the Everglades. The Burmese Python (Python bivittatus ) was initially introduced to the United States as part of the pet industry, with more than 90,000 brought to this country. Some of these “pet” owners, rather than euthanize their pets when they became too large, decided to release them into the wild.

Importing Burmese Pythons was banned in 2012.

The primary reason for the drastic increase of this particular species is their ability to reproduce rapidly. The individuals tend to be solitary except in mating season, which has occurred in the last few months. The females will be laying their eggs this time of year. They will produce a clutch of eggs, typically numbering 15 to 35 in number, but some captured females have been found with more than 80 eggs in their systems. Moms will stay with the eggs for a few months until they hatch. She will gently move her muscles to massage the eggs, warming them and maintaining a prime incubating temperature.

The hatchlings have an “egg tooth” that it develops to help it break through the shell. Once out of the shells, the youngsters are on their own. Now hunting, they will grab small prey with their teeth, wrap their body around the victim, and constrict themselves around that victim until it can be consumed.

Pythons are primarily nocturnal and are carnivorous. The diet in southwest Florida consists mostly of birds and small mammals but can also include other reptiles and amphibians. They are a “stay still” predator, waiting patiently for prey to pass by, and then they strike. Though they are not venomous, their teeth are razor sharp and easily break the skin of a human.

In areas where these snakes are very well established, populations of foxes and rabbits have disappeared. Raccoon sightings are down more than 95%, opossums 95%, and white-tailed deer by more than 90%. Efforts to reintroduce some mammal populations have failed due to high predation by pythons. They are outcompeting the native predators for food sources.

The Burmese Python counterparts of native South Asia spend time fasting because of the variation of seasons there. Here in South Florida, they are feeding all year long. Several pythons here have been captured sporting lengths of more than 17 feet and well over 100 pounds, with a single female weighing 140 pounds. There is little to stop them here in the wild. They are now the apex predators.

Many efforts are being made to eradicate these invaders. Prior to mating season, males are captured, and a tracking device placed under their skins. During mating season, scientists can track those males, leading them to females that can then be removed. Again, a female can produce as many as 80 eggs in the coming months. Removing the female is more effective in reducing the python population.

In addition, there are “trackers,” individuals who go out, primarily at night, to find and remove these reptiles. They are making some progress, but everyone agrees that it will take a lot of time.

One such tracker, Amy Siewe, known as the “Python Huntress,” has captured more than 670 pythons on her own. She grew up around wildlife and is truly dedicated to protecting and saving the Everglades and surrounding ecosystems.

You can join Amy and yours truly at Marco Island Academy on April 15^th when we discuss our efforts to protect our environment. Seats are open to the public, and refreshments will be available at the concession stand. Go to exploringwithbob.com for info and tickets.

The Burmese Pythons established themselves in a hurry and spread even faster. Removing these invaders is a tedious, daunting, and dangerous task, but efforts are constantly being improved and techniques coming into play to help bring a natural balance back to our amazing Everglades and surrounding ecosystems.

A major “Tip of the Cap” to individuals like Amy and also to organizations such as the Conservancy of Southwest Florida for their efforts and outstanding work!