Invasive Species: Burmese Pythons

Invasive Species: Burmese Pythons — page 1

Invasive Species: Burmese Pythons — page 2 — MASSIVE SNAKE Grasses shiver in Everglades National Park in Florida A Burmese python slithers past The snake’s body seems to go on and on It is more than 18 feet 5.5 m long The Burmese python is one of the five largest snakes on Earth A marsh rabbit hops through the grasses nearby It is looking for food The Burmese python is tan with dark spots A dark pointed shape marks its head 5 CHAPTER 1

Invasive Species: Burmese Pythons — page 3 — It moves closer to the hidden snake The rabbit’s scent grows stronger and stronger Quickly the snake jolts forward Its sharp teeth grab the rabbit Next the python’s body twists around its prey Then the snake squeezes Soon the snake swallows the rabbit whole PEOPLE AND PYTHONS People in Florida have found Burmese pythons near their homes In 2019 a 16 foot 4.9 m python was removed from under someone’s house The snake’s nest held nearly 50 unhatched eggs The eggs were removed too However Burmese pythons usually don’t seek out humans homes They prefer wild places They will avoid people if they can 6

Invasive Species: Burmese Pythons — page 4 — Burmese pythons are hard to spot in the wild Their patterned skin often blends in with their surroundings Marsh rabbits are one of many species that Burmese pythons hunt in the Everglades As a result marsh rabbits are disappearing Other small animals are too Pythons are taking over 7

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