Native Mammalian Predators Can Depredate Adult Burmese Pythons in Florida

Invasive predators are of conservation concern because they contribute to species declines and extinctions worldwide. Interactions of native fauna and invasive predators can be complex, but understanding these relationships can guide management and restoration. Observations of these interactions are especially important for invaders with low detectability like Python bivittatus (Burmese Python) where data are sparse. Here, we provide the first detailed documentation of mammalian attacks on Burmese Pythons in Florida: 1 Lynx rufus (Bobcat) predation of an adult male python and 1 Ursus americanus floridanus (Florida Black Bear) non-lethal attack on an adult female python.

Automated summary

Invasive predators are a conservation concern as they can lead to species decline and extinctions worldwide. Understanding the interactions between native fauna and invasive predators is crucial for guiding management and restoration efforts. Observations of these interactions are especially important for invaders with low detectability, such as the Burmese Python in Florida.