Home range, habitat use, and movement patterns of non-native Burmese pythons in Everglades National Park, Florida, USA

• DOI: 10.1186/s40317-015-0022-2
• Publication Date: 2015-04-02T13:01:48Z
• Authors: Kristen M Hart; Michael S Cherkiss; Brian J Smith; Frank J Mazzotti; Ikuko Fujisaki; Ray W Snow; Michael E Dorcas
• Keywords: Python; Home range

Studies on the spatial ecology of invasive species provide critical information for conservation managers such as habitat preferences and identification native at risk predation. To understand non-native Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus), now well-established in Everglades National Park much South Florida USA, we radio-tracked 19 wild-caught adult pythons, 16 with VHF tags during 2006 through 2009 3 by GPS between 2010 2011. Our goal was to identify individual core-use areas quantify home ranges, well explore correlations python movements environmental parameters presence surface water. Radio-tracking periods ranged from 87 697 days snakes tags, a total 5,119 tracking (mean ± 1 SD = 319.9 184.3 days); 12 93 days, 146 48.7 40.7 days). We observed mean ranges 22.5 km2 (2250 ha) overall low site fidelity; all were within park boundary. Python included slough coastal types, delineated 18 common-use (that is, where spatially overlapped). Tree islands principal feature areas, even if they not predominant type. Multiple proximity roads. The longest correlated water, occurred both wet dry seasons. High-use determined habitat-use movement data may be optimal locations targeted control efforts further studies impacts fauna.