Invasion of Invasive Species

By Danielle Ragofsky (Suncoast High School- Jupiter, Florida) and Kamari Baker( West Broward High School- Pembroke Pines, Florida)

Picture this….. you find yourself face to face with a brown and yellow spotted Burmese python. Fresh off a boat from Southeast Asia, its small size and striking eyes entice you to buy it. You place it in a tank, feed it and nurture it. However, over time it begins to grow and becomes too large for you to manage. Having limited options, you dump it into a nearby lake unaware of the consequences. What you don’t realize is that this python will soon wreak havoc on its surroundings. It will eat away at nearby plants and animals and reproduce to form a massive population.

Dr. Steve Johnson, Assistant Professor of Wildlife Ecology at the University of Florida, studies invasive species like the Burmese Python at Lake Alice. According to Johnson, many students and nearby residents often dump exotic animals into the lake without a thought of what would come of it. A lot of these animals are smuggled onto ships illegally and are brought to pet stores for the masses to buy. While their exotic nature may attract owners, their large size soon becomes a problem and leads to their disposal.

Dr. Johnson feels that the public should be more educated about this practice and about possible alternatives. While dumping animals into the lake is illegal, there are safe and easy ways to dispose of an animal that one no longer can take care of. The state of Florida organizes seasonal pet amnesty days where people can drop off non-native pets without question. Johnson also suggests researching a particular animal before you buy it. That way you are aware of its future traits and effects on the environment.
So step away from that intriguing python. It may be cute now but later on it may contribute to the demise of a native population.