During July 2025, Florida authorities and researchers unveiled an innovative method aimed at controlling the spread of Burmese pythons in the Everglades. To target the invasive snakes, 120 robotic rabbits were set up through a partnership between the University of Florida and the South Florida Water Management District. The pythons, which were first introduced through escapes or releases from the pet trade, have severely damaged local ecosystems, with studies estimating a 95 percent decline in small mammals across parts of Everglades National Park. Officials explained that while removing the snakes is not inherently difficult, detection has remained the greatest obstacle due to the animals’ camouflage and stealth. The new technology, funded at approximately $4,000 per unit, was developed as a more practical alternative to the earlier use of live rabbits, which proved too costly and labor-intensive.

The robotic rabbits, which are equipped to generate heat, scent, and lifelike movements, are placed inside monitored enclosures that alert contractors when a python is nearby. This innovative mechanism represents a technologically sophisticated yet ecologically pragmatic solution to a longstanding challenge. Experts indicated that tens of thousands, and possibly as many as 300,000, pythons now inhabit Florida, with each female capable of laying up to 100 eggs per breeding cycle. Authorities argue that every successful removal contributes to protecting native wildlife, though long-term results remain uncertain. The initiative, described as being in its infancy, has been met with cautious optimism. Environmental specialists emphasize that while such measures may appear experimental, the implications for biodiversity preservation are considerable, especially in a habitat where traditional methods have yielded only incremental progress.