Innovative Use of Robot Rabbits to Control Invasive Pythons in the Everglades

A water management authority in Florida’s Everglades has introduced robotic rabbits as a new method to combat the invasive Burmese python population damaging native wildlife.

The solar-powered robotic rabbits, designed to mimic real rabbits in appearance and behavior, were released into the wetlands after the annual Florida Python Challenge, a 10-day event attracting numerous hunters aiming to capture these large reptiles.

Robotic bunny in a mesh enclosure — The South Florida Water Management District deploys robot rabbits to aid in eradicating invasive pythons.

Equipped with AI-driven cameras, these robotic rabbits alert officials when they detect a python nearby. The devices are engineered to imitate the heat signature and scent of real rabbits—an enticing target for pythons—making them effective lures for tracking and removing the reptiles.

Thermal image of Robo-bunnies at 28.5° — The robots replicate a heat signature similar to a live rabbit, attracting pythons.

The Burmese python, capable of reaching 18 feet in length and swallowing a whole deer, was first documented in Florida during the 1990s. Its population has exploded over the years, with over 19,000 snakes removed from the Everglades since 2000. Despite efforts, the total number remains uncertain.

Many such snakes have been hunted or removed through organized events, with last year’s winner capturing 20 pythons and claiming a $10,000 prize. These reptiles are exempt from the state’s animal protection laws, allowing their humane killing year-round without permits.

Burmese python's head above grass — The Burmese python was first reported in Florida in the 1990s.

The pest’s presence has decimated local species: raccoons and possums are now nearly extinct in certain areas, with only 1-2% of their former populations remaining, according to a 2012 study.

While the robotic rabbits are a novel approach, the battle against these colossal snakes continues, as they continue to reshape the fragile ecosystem of the Everglades.