Researchers link Everglades’ mammal drop to invasive pythons

EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, Fla. (AP) – Researchers have linked invasive Burmese pythons to the severe drop in the population of small mammals in the Florida Everglades.

A University of Florida research team outfitted 30 marsh rabbits with radio collars and set them free. When they later tracked the signals they found mostly pythons.

U.S. Geological Survey herpetologist Bob Reed says the study is the first hard evidence of invader pythons causing mammal declines in Everglades National Park.

Scientists believe the pythons in the Everglades are related to discarded or escaped pets introduced about 30 years ago.

The Gainesville Sun reports (http://bit.ly/1Bu01LZ ) that trappers and scientists have also found bobcats and deer inside snakes.

The UF biologist who led the experiment says he hopes the findings reinvigorate efforts to solve the python problem.