How have Burmese pythons affected mammal populations in the Everglades?

The introduction of the Burmese python as an invasive species in the Everglades has had a catastrophic impact on local mammal populations. As apex predators, these snakes have significantly reduced the numbers of several native species.12

By 2012, research indicated that populations of raccoons, opossums, bobcats, and deer had declined by 87 percent or more in the region. Furthermore, the pythons have effectively wiped out foxes and rabbits within the park.12

The presence of these snakes poses a severe threat to the biodiversity of Everglades National Park, prompting the National Park Service and other agencies to implement management programs, such as using python-sniffing dogs, to locate and remove the predators to protect the ecosystem.2