Florida is grappling with an increasing population of Burmese pythons and the city administration recently deployed rabbit robot decoys to lure, track and remove the snakes.
However, a new study published in the journal Ecology and Evolution shares that chilling weather in the city might just be the newest ally of the city officials in their fights against the python.
According to Florida’s Big Cypress National Preserve, a burmese python was seen swallowing a whole deer but later puked it due as the weather turned extremely cold, well below the comfortable threshold for the cold-blooded beasts.
The incident was observed in November 2024, making the first ever observation of such behaviour by the scientists.
A senior author of the study and a biologist at United States Geological Survey (USGS) told Live Science, “Pythons are constantly doing things I never imagined, but this is such a beautiful moment where science and basic principles line up with field observations.”
The Burmese python that can grow to over 20 meters poses a serious threat to the wildlife species including deers.
In August 2025, the city also deployed robot rabbits in a bid to get rid of the pythons. These robot bunnies are appointed to lure the giant invasive snakes out of their hiding spots.
Burmese pythons were first spotted in the Everglades in the 1970s and their introduction is a result of the pet trade, when they were intentionally or accidentally released.
“Every python that is removed and eliminated is making a difference to protect the Everglades and South Florida’s diverse and native wildlife,” the district said.