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
Work Cited:
Bonneau, M., F. A. Johnson, and C. M. Romagosa. “Spatially Explicit Control of Invasive Species using a reaction–diffusion Model.” Ecological Modelling, vol. 337, 2016, pp. 15-24.
“Burmese Python (Python Molurus Bivittatus) and Other Nonnative Constrictors.” Burmese Python – Everglades CISMA, University of Georgia, Oct. 2018.
“Developed Snake Trap for Invasive Burmese Pythons Issued Patent.” USDA.
“Everglades National Park (U.S. National Park Service).” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Fleshler, David. “Easy Money? Not for Python Hunters Who Grapple with Everglades Giants for $8.10 an Hour.” SunSentinel, 29 Dec. 2017.
Gordeev, N. P. (2017). Snakes in the Ritual Systems of Various Peoples. Anthropology & Archeology of Eurasia, 56(1/2), 93–121.
How Have Invasive Pythons Impacted Florida Ecosystems? USGS.
Mandt, G. (2000). Fragments of Ancient Beliefs: The Snake as a Multivocal Symbol in Nordic Mythology. ReVision, 23(1), 17.
Métraux, Alfred. “Twin Heroes in South American Mythology.” The Journal of American Folklore, vol. 59, no. 232, 1946, pp. 114–123.
Morgan, Diane. Snakes in Myth, Magic, and History: The Story of a Human Obsession. Westport, Conn. : Praeger, 2008., 2008.
Natural Resource Management, Burmese Python / National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, South Florida Natural Resources Center, Everglades National Park. 2013.
“Invasive Species: A Continued Battle on the Economic and Environmental Fronts.” Invasive Species: A Continued Battle on the Economic and Environmental Fronts | Prairie Fire – The Progressive Voice of the Great Plains.
“Python Elimination Program.” South Florida Water Management District.
“Python Patrol.” SCA and NPS Centennial Volunteer Ambassador Program, 25 Aug. 2015.
Reed, Robert N., and Ray W. Snow. “Assessing Risks to Humans from Invasive Burmese Pythons in Everglades National Park, Florida, USA.” Wildlife Society Bulletin, vol. 38, no. 2, June 2014, pp. 366–369.
Rudolfo A. Anaya. The Myth of Quetzalcoatl in a Contemporary Setting: Mythical Dimensions/Political Reality. no. 3, 2017, p.195.
The Bible. Authorized King James Version, Oxford UP, 1998.
“The Economic Cost of Large Constrictor Snakes,” U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, January 2012.
“U.S. Bans Importation And Transportation Of Burmese Pythons, Three Other Snakes.” Reptiles Magazine.
Wadlow, Kevin. “Dog Detectives Track down Pythons on North Key Largo.” Flkeysnews, FL Keys News, 25 Feb. 2017.