Burmese Pythons Advantages And Disadvantages

One of the largest invasive species in the U.S. and the world is the Burmese Python. According the USDA, “invasive species are plants, animals, or pathogens that are non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause harm.” The Burmese Python, scientifically called Python bivittatus, is native to the jungles and marshes in Southeast Asia. This animal now has a large population in the Everglades of Florida thriving with its wide availability to prey and weather like it is in Southeast Asia. What are the benefits and drawbacks of removing the Burmese Python out of the Florida Everglades? I argue that the positives of removing the Burmese Python is greater than the negatives. The Burmese Python population has grown and spread quickly, endangering native florida animals, while at the same time being hunted for their skin and pet trade.

The growth and spread of the Burmese Python in the Florida Everglades is startling.

In 2000 they were officially established in the community and have been growing exponentially since. According to the University of Florida, “From 2002 (when the numbers first began to climb) to 2005, 201 pythons were captured and removed or found dead. In 2006-2007 alone, that number more than doubled to 418.” The exact number of Burmese Pythons in Florida is unknown but has been estimated to be in the thousands. The warm jungle environment, lack of predators, and plentiness of prey has lead the Burmese Python to succeed and thrive in its home of