Role of Environmental Variables on the Distribution of the Burmese Python in Florida

The objective of this study was to model the relationship between environmental variables and the spatial distribution of the Burmese Python across Florida. MaxEnt model was utilized to understand the relative preference of pythons based on environmental variables. The presence of Burmese Python is high along roads and canals, our study moves beyond these human-made paths to identify other environmental variables which determine their distribution. The distribution is mostly restricted to south Florida, and the probability of presence is high in areas where elevation is 0–1 feet and mean temperature ranges between 24–25 ℃. The most suitable habitats were located throughout wetlands where the soil is shallow and sits atop limestone. There was also a seasonal shift in distribution.