Pythons Will Colonize U.S.

An American alligator and a Burmese python locked in a struggle to prevail in Everglades National Park. This python appears to be losing, but snakes in similar situations have apparently escaped unharmed, and in other situations pythons have eaten alligators.

Photo: Lori Oberhofer / National Park Service

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Python habitat will grow dramatically as the U.S. warms up over the next century, according to a new U.S. Geological Survey and National Parks Service study.

"Burmese pythons — an invasive species in south Florida — could find comfortable climatic conditions in roughly a third of the United States according to new 'climate maps' developed by the USGS," the agencies reported. "Although other factors such as type of food available and suitable shelter also play a role, Burmese pythons and other giant constrictor snakes have shown themselves to be highly adaptable to new environments."

The maps tell the story:

Habitat map today

USGS

Habitat map, 2100

USGS

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