GPS-collared opossums help track Florida pythons after being eaten

(NewsNation) — Opossums are known to be one of snakes’ favorite prey, and now scientists in Florida are using them to their advantage.

Scientists in the Everglades region have fitted the animal — along with raccoons — with GPS collars to track Burmese pythons after they swallow the animals whole.

“We need everything that we can find to remove as many pythons as possible,” scientist Michael Cove said.

Burmese pythons were brought to Florida by the exotic pet trade starting in the 1970s. According to the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Burmese pythons have established a permanent breeding population in the southern part of the state.

The reptiles’ presence has also reduced the population of raccoons by 99 percent, opossums by 98 percent and bobcats by 88 percent.

“We’re not putting these animals out there and in harm’s way,” added Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge manager Jeremy Dixon. “Harm’s way is there. We’re just documenting what’s happening.”

The scientists said they hope to track nearly 40 opossums by the end of the summer.

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