According to a study published in the Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, the Burmese python (Python molurus bivittatus), now competing with the American alligator as the apex predator in the Florida Everglades food chain, demonstrates a notable ability to endure prolonged exposure to saltwater.
Titled “Experimentally derived salinity tolerance of hatchling Burmese pythons from the Everglades, Florida (USA)”, the research was conducted by U.S. Geological Survey scientists Kristen M. Hart, Pamela J. Schofield, and Denise R. Gregoire. The study involved subjecting 24 wild-caught hatchling Burmese pythons from the Florida Everglades to varying salinity conditions: – Freshwater (0 salinity) – Brackish water (10 salinity) – Full-strength seawater (35 salinity)All hatchlings survived approximately one month at the highest saline levels and five months at the brackish water level.
The Burmese python, an invasive species in Florida, demonstrates an ability to endure extended periods in saltwater environments. Researchers conclude that saltwater alone cannot be considered an effective barrier to prevent the spread of Burmese pythons to adjacent regions such as the Florida Keys. Kristen Hart, a research ecologist and lead author of the study, stated in a USGS press release: ‘While reptiles generally exhibit poor salinity tolerance, it was initially hoped that saltwater would naturally restrict pythons from expanding beyond the Everglades. Regrettably, our findings indicate that saltwater cannot reliably constrain the Everglades python population.’Prior to the study, it was unknown what effects saltwater would have on the potential spread of the Burmese python beyond its current range in Florida, where the species is primarily found in the Everglades and surrounding areas.
The USGS states that the research demonstrates the possibility of the Burmese python spreading to other regions, one estuary at a time. The study also noted that the python exhibits salinity tolerance levels similar to those of the mangrove snake, a species native to the Everglades known for its high tolerance to saline environments.
