Pythonssss Invade the Evergladesssss

By: Andrew Coale, Tyler Shrader

Everglades National Park ranger holding an invasive Burmese Python, source: National Park Service

An overlooked environmental battle is taking place between the Burmese Python and residents of Southern Florida, especially within Everglades National Park. The Burmese Python is an invasive species that has taken over areas of Southern Florida and is growing in population, causing catastrophic ecological damage to native species and if left unchecked, could impact humans as well. These impacts include economic loss, an increased confrontation between humans and pythons and loss of biodiversity in Everglades National Park. We looked at this issue not only from an ecological viewpoint, but from historical, economic, and religious viewpoints to understand the relationships between humans and snakes and possible solutions that could help keep Burmese Python populations in check. 

Keywords:

Everglades, Python, Invasive Species, Prey, Predator,  Wilderness, Wild(ness), Environmental History, Ecological.

Table of Contents:

The Story of the Burmese Python

Economic Impacts of the Burmese Python

Snakes in Religion and Culture

Ecological Impacts of the Burmese Python

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