Are pythons overrunning the Everglades?

[Jabberwocky Dragons]

Some experts now say no

(Reuters) - Reports that Burmese pythons are devouring almost entire populations of mammals in the Florida Everglades are premature, according to some exotic species experts and a co-author of a widely quoted study.

The idea of pythons annihilating the Everglades made headlines after a January 30 study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science said researches found severe declines in the population of small and mid-sized mammals.

The study presented data supporting its hypothesis that "Burmese pythons have severely reduced populations of several species of formerly common mammals" in the Everglades.

"Do I think we have an impending disaster? I don't think so," said Scott Hardin, exotic species coordinator for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

"That study should have never made it to the light of day," said Florida herpetologist Shaw Heflin, known to many as host of National Geographic's "Python Hunters" show. "I don't see anything thus far to point to the fact that these pythons are causing serious harm."

The study compared sightings of animals along park roads before and after the year 2000, which is when the authors say pythons were recognized as being established in the park.

It found a 99.3 percent decrease in observed raccoons and a 98.9 percent decrease in observed opossums, the two most frequently encountered species, as well as decreased sightings of white-tailed deer, bobcats, rabbits and foxes. Sightings of rodents, coyotes and Florida panthers increased.

"The magnitude of these declines underscores the apparent incredible density of pythons in the Everglades National Park," the study concluded.

Everglades National Park spokeswoman Linda Friar said park biologists have "no hard science" demonstrating there has been a dramatic reduction in mammal populations.

Most of the 1.5 million-acre park is inaccessible wilderness.

The size of the python population is unknown with estimates ranging from a few thousand to tens of thousands, according to Friar. Many pythons are believed to have succumbed from the cold during the 2009 and 2010 winters, according to Heflin and Hardin.

Heflin criticizes the authors of the study for failing to fully investigate and dispose of other factors that could account for their observations, including a decade-long drought, cyclical population fluctuations, increased development and pollution.

"There's almost always some other factors going on and certainly in the Everglades, we know that hydrology and water levels plays a huge role in animal abundance," Hardin said.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...81N24120120224

So here's one of several major flaws in this ridiculously poorly conducted study. It is not a hard science study so they are going to be looking for correlations to prove their point. Unfortunately for the authors, one can't just pick and choose which data supports your theory and which doesn't. This is my favorite:

Sightings of rodents, coyotes and Florida panthers increased.

This is the exact opposite of what would be expected if the python population was out of control. Rodents, the ideal prey for most sizes of python, should rapidly be decreasing in such a scenario. Likewise, as near or actual apex predators, Coyotes and Florida Panther populations should also be declining if Pythons were responsible for the decimation of most other prey species. There is no way possible for populations of other top predators to increase if pythons were single-handedly wiping out their food sources.

I read several parts of the report used to justify the recent nationwide banning the interstate transport of several snake species. If the "science" behind it wasn't so scary, it would laughable. One supportive reason for the ban was due to Global Warming... Washington state and New Hampshire will soon become sub tropical climates and capable of supporting wild Burmese pythons...seriously

I think if Washington and New Hampshire ever become sub-tropical or tropical, we are going to have much much bigger things to worry about than a few wild pythons minding their business in the woods.