Researchers Track Invasive Pythons in the Everglades

University of Florida interns are using radio-tagged snakes to better understand and manage the invasive population.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Reptiles

Gouache-painted editorial illustration of a radio tracking antenna in a swamp, representing environmental research into invasive species in Florida. — University of Florida researchers are using radio-tagged Burmese pythons to better track and control the invasive population throughout the Florida Everglades. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you support using tagged invasive animals to help researchers locate and remove their own populations?

In September 2026, University of Florida interns released a 16-foot, 147.9-pound female Burmese python into the Everglades to serve as a scout for tracking. This initiative helps biologists monitor and remove the invasive species, which has disrupted local wildlife populations for four decades.

Why it matters

The scout program aims to improve the efficiency of locating and removing invasive pythons from the ecosystem. Researchers are evaluating whether using radio-tagged snakes combined with drone technology can cut the labor and costs associated with ground-based monitoring.

Female Burmese pythons can lay between 11 and 111 eggs, and there are approximately 100 contractors performing removal work in Florida year-round. This effort follows decades of population growth in the state.

The players

University of Florida

The institution manages internship programs focused on environmental research and the monitoring of invasive species in the Everglades.

US Geological Survey

This federal agency conducts biological research and monitoring to understand and manage invasive species in protected ecosystems.

The details

Researchers attach radio transmitters to these scout pythons, which lead teams directly to snake gatherings and nesting sites. The US Geological Survey also utilizes drones equipped with cameras or tracking equipment to monitor movement and improve detection efficiency.

1859: Release of 24 rabbits occurred in Australia.
1990s: Baseline surveys were conducted for mammal population comparisons.
2012: A study regarding mammal declines was published in PNAS.
September 23, 2026: The US Geological Survey published an account of the python release.

Culture Shift

The rapid expansion of the Burmese python in Florida mirrors the ecological damage caused by the 1859 release of 24 rabbits in Australia, where invasive species overwhelmed native ecosystems. These efforts in the Everglades follow a pattern set by other historic invasive species management attempts to control populations that have decimated native mammals.

The presence of invasive pythons remains a significant management challenge for residents and wildlife enthusiasts across Florida. Continued efforts by researchers and the 1,000 annual participants in events like the Python Challenge highlight the ongoing need for public awareness and state-sponsored control.

The takeaway

The use of radio-tagged scout pythons represents a shift toward more targeted removal strategies in sensitive habitats. Residents can support these efforts by reporting sightings of invasive species to state authorities to assist in data collection and population control.