Solar-Powered Robotic Rabbits Join Florida's $480,000 Python Removal Effort

[{"selector":"#anim-2b017e96-ac50-44fc-898a-81d58c324620","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-07b02643-b520-4fb7-a669-f128560fa207","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.55696%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":500,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c1211826-855b-41ef-9239-f5f0815d3ffd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":800,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c7c0bdbd-3d59-40c9-9dfa-3e0a030cad66","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-122.3301%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":800,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Solar-Powered Robotic Rabbits Join Florida's $480,000 Python Removal Effort Rahul Somvanshi

1. Solar-Powered Robotic Rabbits Join Florida's $480,000 Python Removal Effort

[{"selector":"#anim-dc3de068-637f-4289-ae71-4046d3b74a4c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f048a0e2-2cb5-44bd-b1fd-6ce3ed9b450a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.50632%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6ad7dda8-af22-4121-b0ba-2618302ad198","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4d61509e-b208-490c-bc1e-5c4903c11e0f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 116.02864%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a4ccdad4-203c-4ee3-9bc9-b5a34875dbf5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: Christopher L Dutton (Twitter)

Florida deploys 120 solar-powered robotic rabbits to lure invasive Burmese pythons that have eliminated 95% of small mammals in parts of the Everglades.

[{"selector":"#anim-a8c9a1ae-b39c-4864-9ed8-df275136aa7e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5197310e-bedc-4d77-b5f2-0e8152e09898","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 195.52108%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f6bb977e-32d6-427b-8fc8-6beded43c6e6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fab802b6-8d61-47e5-836b-bccc72c83c6d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -111.1955%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b942206f-474d-4e32-aba0-5288766117e2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: South Florida Water Management District (Twitter)

Each $4,000 robotic rabbit generates heat signatures and movements that mimic real marsh rabbits—pythons' favorite prey.

[{"selector":"#anim-46082c85-466a-42ea-9452-6939dbe6b4e4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2fb1f9cc-ea2d-4c74-9324-e7da62c24a83","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 116.58885%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0c5da94e-13bd-486e-a329-b76bf6221ecf","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d37d441c-85e8-4085-91f2-bcb107984851","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(113.60759%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-81b212eb-f57a-41fe-afcc-8c370c571699","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: Animalia (google)

1. University of Florida researchers replaced toy rabbit stuffing with motors, heaters, and solar panels to create effective python lures.

[{"selector":"#anim-7fdf0c9a-b10c-4014-b999-60965fc087bc","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fbd1632b-ec60-467e-b481-26404e973bad","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 244.87591%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2cebbccb-19cd-4e06-a3a7-32e31e6dffe9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ef822ca6-4bc3-467e-ab08-2d1919bf876b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -114.48664%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-969f8252-e55d-468f-be9c-cbe3c00b1209","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: Bryan Ledgard ( Wikimedia Commons)

Robot rabbits sit in monitored pens with cameras that alert officials when pythons approach, allowing for rapid removal.

[{"selector":"#anim-aeb84dc0-9ba4-4a4f-af97-212be5bddd13","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-545ea46f-487a-4a81-b8c6-6c062d613113","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 116.02864%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ea857c97-f249-4c87-9ac2-6bfe76a9e297","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-810ae29c-fe79-4e26-aa8c-5bcfa26f123f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.18987%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5d8b6519-983c-47aa-8f97-7ba604986ad8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: Animalia( google)

Burmese pythons established in Florida through pet releases and Hurricane Andrew (1992), now laying 50-100 eggs per clutch and growing to 19 feet.

[{"selector":"#anim-f4c1b01b-8647-4dcb-8f88-a63a8efeccfd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-85dc542f-e7b3-473c-babd-e075bc3daa7a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 195.52108%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-739830a8-1da9-472c-9ba5-a53721e1caec","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ba57ab85-e6b9-409e-b27a-60754e2c4d23","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -114.48664%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0c5d3566-f24d-4441-9ed4-6e0daaa8512b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife (Flickr)

These invasive snakes prey on birds, deer, and even alligators, severely disrupting the Everglades ecosystem.

[{"selector":"#anim-36085af2-048d-427c-9e12-0574972b5f06","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-983d04f2-9f75-4767-981f-576fb0ae82d5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 116.02864%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c00af039-ac08-4bf0-ba6a-ab0aef4146e7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f8a373ee-e233-4009-895c-91766280f2f6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.18987%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-53d29043-ab83-4314-bfa6-caf3edf5a096","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife( Flickr)

Earlier trials using live rabbits successfully attracted pythons but proved impractical for large-scale deployment.

[{"selector":"#anim-72841254-f119-45a2-af6f-7b07076a77fe","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f379ab5f-c17a-4725-8ba1-ddbd8c62483f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 245.84677%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3fbdb55f-d830-44d4-9111-27807d43369f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-adea136a-f4d8-4eaf-bc93-d8d3cad60d17","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -114.48664%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-95793533-0653-4a79-b4f3-229c8107c277","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife( Flickr)

The detection challenge: Experts estimate only 1-3 pythons get caught for every 100 in the wild.

[{"selector":"#anim-b7e498fa-1b98-47f8-8df9-a9df94804532","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-936346c9-d36a-4b41-a63d-cbb11c9552f4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 116.02864%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2f8faa38-c3df-4da6-aadc-d6c923a345dd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-72d6fa85-e974-41ed-8276-bfc74d9894a8","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.18987%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1a74550d-7939-4396-8acf-1352cb94200d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife( Flickr)

This project supplements the Florida Python Challenge, which removed 294 pythons with 934 participants in July 2025.

[{"selector":"#anim-3a1fef8e-1cca-4386-9f11-2d45c5aab42d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9f7b2861-ea0a-47b7-9821-adf8a1182cf0","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 245.84677%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-680c7e6e-fcc2-4969-8f03-39088edef845","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4a80ef35-867f-453c-85eb-0fdf3a21a9b4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -114.48664%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: Animalia Google

Every invasive python removed makes a difference," says Ron Bergeron of the South Florida Water Management District

[{"selector":"#anim-2e915f42-eabe-4737-a4e4-04dbb17e4421","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-370842f8-223a-4bcf-a4a9-8daf915e11dc","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 245.84677%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f78958d8-f4e5-4540-b5fa-7b8d9fbbe0ef","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5a22bc85-2700-463e-9a3d-30b40f6f7959","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -114.48664%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife( Flickr)

Every invasive python removed makes a difference," says Ron Bergeron of the South Florida Water Management District

[{"selector":"#anim-e1b6e5d6-78c3-4fcf-9944-24dcabe541e7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-702e526a-9215-4759-ba9f-b65542a038cc","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 245.84677%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2168f99d-70dc-4e1a-be81-2c36b4866356","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-93571f11-7994-4823-bcb7-ed23989ed08a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -114.48664%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife( Flickr)

If current methods prove insufficient, researchers plan to add synthetic scent compounds to make the decoys more attractive.

[{"selector":"#anim-3404e04d-62b8-407f-81b1-0b8760eb9ef0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a266c315-f743-46bd-8f5e-51f7042d719d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 245.84677%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-907b08b9-f0ab-4cf2-9ae6-d0b81101d809","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f107032c-cb65-436c-8f95-d76c5e50977f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -114.48664%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: Christopher L Dutton (Twitter)

If current methods prove insufficient, researchers plan to add synthetic scent compounds to make the decoys more attractive.

[{"selector":"#anim-cd0e690c-d507-4268-8ab1-01b5ecf48ba7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d8cdd6f7-6607-4d06-b184-e39b4654afaf","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 245.84677%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2a143063-a185-4b13-988f-d4b22d035fd8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c44a2219-583b-4eb1-be64-a48e37542b02","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -114.48664%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: pickpik (google)

[{"selector":"#anim-17b9b1d3-a7ee-4126-b4ae-a1295125529a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-56758cda-4125-4b1a-960b-a2a170bcc552","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-30dfd691-79ed-452c-a01f-dc4284358b01","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.50152%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-20f543c2-b573-4a9a-ad0a-58ab62cd8de0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":700,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-39602f51-36d8-437d-833b-a88e804ea553","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.2381%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":700,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Point Reyes Rezones 16,000 Acres, 11 Ranchers Exit, Tule Elk Thrive Learn more

1. Solar-Powered Robotic Rabbits Join Florida's $480,000 Python Removal Effort

Florida deploys 120 solar-powered robotic rabbits to lure invasive Burmese pythons that have eliminated 95% of small mammals in parts of the Everglades.

Each $4,000 robotic rabbit generates heat signatures and movements that mimic real marsh rabbits—pythons' favorite prey.

1. University of Florida researchers replaced toy rabbit stuffing with motors, heaters, and solar panels to create effective python lures.

Robot rabbits sit in monitored pens with cameras that alert officials when pythons approach, allowing for rapid removal.

Burmese pythons established in Florida through pet releases and Hurricane Andrew (1992), now laying 50-100 eggs per clutch and growing to 19 feet.

These invasive snakes prey on birds, deer, and even alligators, severely disrupting the Everglades ecosystem.

Earlier trials using live rabbits successfully attracted pythons but proved impractical for large-scale deployment.

The detection challenge: Experts estimate only 1-3 pythons get caught for every 100 in the wild.

This project supplements the Florida Python Challenge, which removed 294 pythons with 934 participants in July 2025.

Every invasive python removed makes a difference," says Ron Bergeron of the South Florida Water Management District

Every invasive python removed makes a difference," says Ron Bergeron of the South Florida Water Management District

If current methods prove insufficient, researchers plan to add synthetic scent compounds to make the decoys more attractive.

If current methods prove insufficient, researchers plan to add synthetic scent compounds to make the decoys more attractive.

Next Story