Robotic Rabbits Lure Invasive Pythons in Florida
Florida residents and wildlife managers gain a less labor-intensive way to find and remove Burmese pythons from the Everglades.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Reptiles
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Florida researchers converted toy rabbits into robotic decoys to lure Burmese pythons, which are being removed by contractors. Field deployment of the robotic rabbits began in July 2025 in areas including the Everglades.
Why it matters
Burmese pythons are not native to Florida and prey on animals including rabbits, raccoons, and birds, and research has linked their spread to declines in several native mammal populations. Hunting pythons hidden in dense vegetation has complicated the state's control efforts, and live-rabbit lures required substantial manpower and care for animals in remote locations.
Field deployment of the robotic rabbits began in July 2025, following a project that started in 2025. Previous live-rabbit lures required substantial manpower and care for animals in remote locations.
The players
South Florida Water Management District
A Florida water-management agency that manages water resources across South Florida and is involved in the state's python-control efforts.
University of Florida
A public research university in Florida that tested the robotic rabbit decoys alongside the water management district.
The details
Researchers removed the stuffing from toy rabbits and added electronic components. Motors make each decoy shake, turn, and move at intervals, while small heaters reproduce a rabbit's body temperature. The decoys are solar-powered, can be switched on and off remotely, and sit inside small pens monitored by cameras. When a python approaches, the monitoring system alerts researchers, who arrange the snake's removal.
Timeline
2025: Florida researchers begin turning toy rabbits into python lures.
July 2025: Field deployment of the robotic rabbits begins.
The Home Front
Burmese pythons were introduced to Florida through the pet trade and are not native to the state. Robotic decoys are being tested as a way to replace live-rabbit lures that demanded heavy manpower in remote areas.
If you live in or near Florida's wetlands, avoid approaching or handling pythons and report sightings to state wildlife authorities. Do not attempt to capture or move a python yourself; contact licensed removal contractors or state wildlife officials instead.
The takeaway
Robotic decoys offer a way to track and remove invasive pythons without the labor of live-animal lures. Reptile owners should never release pets into the wild, since the pet trade is how Burmese pythons got into Florida.
Further reading
For more on the snakes at the center of this effort, see our Reptiles coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Times of India.
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