A group of scientists from the Conservancy of Southwest Florida found that a Burmese python that was almost 15 feet long had eaten a 77-pound white-tailed deer while they were studying the effects of invading pythons on the environment in Florida.
Even though it was bad for the deer, the encounter helps us learn more about the risks this invasive species poses to Florida’s ecosystem:
The new information shows that pythons can eat bigger animals than was thought before.
Invasive apex predator expert Ian Bartoszek said, “Seeing an invasive apex predator swallow a full-sized deer in front of you is something you will never forget.
” “There is no doubt that the Burmese python is affecting native animals.” This is a problem with wildlife in the Greater Everglades right now.
There are 14.8 feet of snake and 115 pounds of weight. With a weight of 77 pounds, the deer makes up almost 67% of the snake’s body.
According to studies from the Conservancy, pythons’ lower jawbones are not fused together at the front of their mouths.
This means that their jaws can open very wide, letting them eat animals that are bigger than half of their own weight.
This week, researchers from the preserve said on Facebook that they keep an eye on pythons all year and get rid of them when they can.
They also said that the deer was already dead when they saw the fight, and that they would have tried to save it if it hadn’t been already dead.
The team killed the snake in a humane way and used its body for study after the situation was over, they said.
A similar thing happened in Florida in March 2018 when a python ate a deer that was heavier than the snake.
The reserve is still studying and keeping an eye on the Burmese python species to help figure out the best ways to control the snake population.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Exotic Species Hotline can be called at 1-888-483-4681 to report seeing a Burmese python.
Since pythons can’t be moved alive, they have to be killed gently on private land, with permission from the landowner.
Non-native reptiles, like pythons, can be killed gently at any time on commission-managed land. To find out more, go to the FWC website.
