Bobcat Bit Head off 13-Foot Python—Here’s Why That’s a Win

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When wildlife biologists came across a headless 13-foot Burmese python in the Florida wilderness, they wondered what could have preyed on an invasive animal that has no natural predators in the area. Turns out, a Florida-native predator—a bobcat—had bitten the head off the python, and scientists are thrilled.

Bobcats are common predators in the Everglades, but traditionally, they don’t prey on Burmese pythons. In fact, nothing preys on Burmese pythons in the Everglades except for humans, and that’s the issue. Burmese pythons aren’t native to Florida; humans brought them there as part of the pet trade. Once there, they flourished, thanks to the combination of bountiful prey and no natural predators.

But when Ian Bartoszek of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida and a team of biologists found the headless python, they wondered if the Everglades’ native predators were catching on. Trail-cam footage, along with evidence from the snake’s necropsy, confirmed that it was a bobcat that had decapitated the massive snake and feasted on part of its lengthy body.

Live Science reported the fascinating incident, saying: “Scientists are still investigating how and when local predators face off against the invasive snakes, but the finding hints that native species are learning to take advantage of the competition as a potential food source.”

See the Conservancy’s post about the bobcat and python in Florida here:

Header stock image by caio acquesta/Getty Images

Source: https://outdoors.com/bobcat-bit-head-off-13-foot-python-heres-why-thats-a-win/