The Robot rabbit are part of a strategy by the South Florida Water Management District (Sfwmd). attract Burmese pythons, which are considered an invasive species in the Everglades. The system was deployed on a trial basis in the summer of 2025 and is intended to make it easier to locate and remove snakes hidden in natural areas in the southern Sunshine State before they reproduce.
The devices Reproduce the look, feel and smell the rabbits the swamps that inhabit some Florida ecosystems. According to the Associated Press, each unit consists of a toy from which the stuffing is removed Motors, heaters, an aroma diffuser and solar panelswith a system that makes it possible Turn them on and off remotely.
According to Sfwmd, the decoys are built into it small pens controlled by cameras. If a Burmese python approaching, the system emits a signalso teams can take action and remove the animal.
The tests are carried out in Sectors of the Everglades and other parts of South Floridawith recorded missions in West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale. The project is led by Sfwmd authorities and researchers from the University of Florida. The teams are in this experimental phase They placed 120 robot rabbits.
According to statements by APthe program previously evaluated the use of live animals as a decoy. This alternative was rejected because its high cost and operational complexity what it implied.
Any robot rabbit has one approximate value of $4000which are financed by the Sfwmd. Mike Kirklandleading biologist of invasive animals of this organism, specified that the method focuses on this Adult Burmese pythonswhich normally measure between three and five meters long.
The The Burmese python is not a species native to Florida and its presence in the Everglades is explained by Pet Escape and Releaseaccording to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
The organization also warns about this Each female can lay between 50 and 100 eggs per clutch.a characteristic that favors rapid population growth.
The problem is not new. According to the Florida Museum of Natural History, Burmese pythons are present in the Everglades and in the south of the state since 1979. It is a invasive species This alters the food web and puts pressure on an already vulnerable ecosystem by preying on mammals, reptiles, amphibians and native birds.
Mike Kirkland explained that The The Burmese python decimated much of the fauna. In it Everglades National Parkregistered up to 95% reduction in furry mammalsas well as birds. In statements about APthe specialist claimed that this was the case “an emergency situation” for local wild animals.
According to the Florida Museum of Natural History, these reptiles are one of them Controlling invasive species is more difficult to manage due to their elusive behavior. When scientists can demonstrate the presence of an established population, its size is often too large to eradicate, so long-term control strategies must replace eradication.
In the case of Pythons are only discovered between one and three individuals for every 100 individuals inhabiting the ecosystemeven with experienced hunters. Given this scenario, the museum points out that innovative tools like robotic rabbits can make a difference.
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