The South Florida Water Management District’s Python Elimination Program has taken a cutting edge approach to combat invasive Burmese pythons in the Everglades…robotic rabbits. The solar-powered rabbits are designed to lure the non-native snakes and hopefully reduce their destructive impact on local ecosystems.
The remote-controlled robotic decoys are designed to look like marsh rabbits and mimic their natural snake attracting features including heat signatures and scents. Integrated video cameras allow real-time monitoring and alerts so wildlife officials can swoop in and capture the pythons.
The decoys were modified from 40 off the shelf toy rabbits and fitted with electronics before they were waterproofed and placed in strategic areas across the region. Since their introduction in the 1970s, Burmese pythons have exploded into a breeding population over 1,000 square miles. The exact number of Burmese pythons in the Everglades is unknown but it is estimated there may be as many as 300,000 according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
While these furry gizmos are a clever approach to the invasive python problem, 40 toy rabbits vs 300,000 snakes a not a sustainable longterm solution. However experts hope they will provide a scalable solution to the ongoing problem by blending technology with conservation efforts to restore balance to Florida’s fragile wetlands. Learn more below.
The South Florida Water Management District Press Release:
The 2025 Florida Python Challenge™ has come to a close, but our efforts to combat invasive Burmese pythons continue.
An innovative new tool is being used to remove these destructive snakes from the Everglades ecosystem. Solar-powered, remote-controlled robots designed to look like rabbits are being strategically deployed at locations in South Florida to lure invasive pythons out of hiding so they can be removed from the Everglades landscape.
DID YOU KNOW: Invasive pythons threaten our precious native ecosystem by preying upon the wildlife that lives there, including wading birds, mammals, and other reptiles.
COMBATING INVASIVE SNAKES: Scientists from the South Florida Water Management District (District) and the University of Florida have teamed up to use robotic rabbit decoys as part of our continuing efforts to combat and remove invasive pythons.
These innovative robots produce a heat signature and emit a smell designed to attract pythons. The robots are equipped with cameras that monitor for pythons and notify District officials when a snake is detected. Once notified, the District can dispatch a python removal agent to the area.
WHY IT MATTERS: Every python that is removed and eliminated is making a difference to protect the Everglades and South Florida’s diverse and native wildlife.
Invasive pythons are one of the most destructive and harmful species in America’s Everglades. Their aggressive predation on native wildlife robs panthers, raptors, bobcats, and other native predators of their primary food sources.
PROTECTING NATIVE WILDLIFE AND ECOSYSTEMS: The State of Florida has taken unprecedented action to protect the Everglades and eliminate invasive pythons from across the landscape.
The annual Florida Python Challenge™, which came to a close on July 20, is one of the many ways we are working together to protect native wildlife across South Florida. The 10-day competition raises awareness about nonnative species and provides participants a firsthand opportunity to join in the effort to remove invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades ecosystem.
LEARN MORE: The District continues to expedite Everglades restoration efforts and we will continue working to protect South Florida’s natural resources and combat invasive species like Burmese pythons.
We encourage you to visit SFWMD.gov/PythonProgram to learn more about our efforts to remove these invasive snakes from the Everglades landscape.
