Robot rabbits trick snakes to control invasive python population

By Ben Barry

Florida officials deploy robot rabbits to control the invasive Burmese python population.

Scientists from the South Florida Water Management 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.

This summer, 120 robot rabbits were deployed to eliminate as many pythons as possible from the Everglades, where they are killing native species.

In Everglades National Park alone, officials have said the snakes have eliminated 95 percent of small mammals.

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The robots produce a heat signature and emit a smell designed to attract pythons.

They 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.

According to the South Florida Water Management District, invasive pythons are one of the most destructive and harmful species in America’s Everglades.

The robot rabbits were an idea from the annual Florida Python Challenge, which came to a close on July 20, 2025.

The 10-day competition raises awareness about nonnative species and provides participants with a firsthand opportunity to join in the effort to remove invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades ecosystem.