(ORDO NEWS) — The US government has admitted that it cannot reduce the population of America’s largest and most threatening invasive species.
A USGS study has shown that the Burmese python , which can reach five meters in length and can eat almost any animal, is spreading rapidly in southern Florida.
The study showed that pythons are difficult to trap, take over large areas of inaccessible habitat and are very good at camouflage.
“Eradication of the population across the entire landscape is not possible with existing tools,” the experts conclude.
“However, researchers at the USGS and partner institutions are exploring potential new methods that could one day open the way to larger-scale population suppression.”
“The giant python currently represents one of the most difficult challenges in the management of invasive species worldwide.”
Introduced as pets from Southeast Asia, giant snakes are now thriving in Florida, making short work of the smaller species.
The pythons have wiped out local populations of raccoons, opossums, white-tailed deer, foxes and rabbits. They also pose a threat to coyotes, panthers and alligators.
A 2012 study found that in areas where Burmese pythons had become established, “the number of sightings of raccoons decreased by 99.3%, opossums by 98.9%, and white-tailed deer by 94.1%”.
Florida holds an annual competition where prizes are awarded to those who catch the most Burmese pythons, or the largest ones.
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