Burmese pythons

Burmese Pythons

Introduction

In 2006, the discovery of a nest of Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus) in the Everglades National Park in South Florida validated the status of invasive species of reptile. In fact, since the mid-1990s, approximately 1,500 individuals were captured in this region. What are the consequences of this intrusion? The study by Kristen Hart, the Geological Survey of the United States (USGS) and colleagues reveal it causes a serious decline in populations of mammals.

They come from Burma, feel warm and humid climate of Florida but at least as good - and it apparently spread out in a threatening manner: pythons. Tens of thousands of Asian constrictors live a new study in the U.S. National Park Everglades. Similar to its dramatic increase observed researchers for many years a decline in stocks of native species. Not only are natural food webs at risk. The entire ecosystem is threatening to become unstable.

Discussion

The Burmese Python is living in the tropical rain forest. If the python is young, it will prefer the trees, but if they will become too big to take it on the ground and water. Pythons are excellent swimmers. The Burmese python, a subspecies of the Indian python, was probably introduced in the new environment in favor of specimens that were released by owners of this new type of pet became too cumbersome. Another hypothesis, the destruction of a "reptile farm" by Hurricane Andrew in 1992 would have released a large number of snakes.

Nevertheless, recent work has shown that 300,000 Indian pythons were imported into the United States over the last 30 years! Trade is such that, with the deterioration of its native habitat, the Burmese python is endangered. The python is also hunted for its skin, which makes it famous for leather and meat, especially popular in China. In Florida, the reptile, which can reach over six meters long, attacks the birds, some species are endangered and even alligators. It also feeds on mammals.

Thus, before the 2000s, the raccoon (Procyon lotor), Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) and rabbits (Sylvilagus) were the species most frequently seen on the roads of the Everglades. New counts made by the USGS showed that the frequency of observation decreased respectively for these four species of 99.3, 98.9 and ... 100 percent! In addition, these mammals are more numerous in areas where the Burmese python has recently been detected, and even more in areas ...