Florida Invaded by Burmese Pythons — Introduction
Natural Sciences Manager
Natural sciences managers supervise the work of scientists, including chemists, physicists, and biologists. They direct activities related to research and development, and coordinate activities such as testing, quality control, and production. Natural sciences managers might:
- lead an expedition inside a volcano to monitor change;
- coordinate research in the Arctic to study the effect of warming on the ice caps; or
- manage a group of scientists from all over the world studying the collapse of honey bee colonies.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics


Your Mission
An invasive species is one that does not normally live in an area and causes harm to native species. Invasive organisms have traits that allow them to establish a community in new territory, such as fast growth, rapid reproduction, and the ability to live on available food. Another major factor for their success in an area is the lack of natural predators. The natural science manager’s job is to protect the local ecology. The job includes studying the impact of invasive species on local wildlife.
In southern Florida, Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve have been invaded by the Burmese python. Between 1979 and 2009, the pet industry imported 300,000 Burmese pythons into the United States. The natural home of the Burmese python includes China, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka.
Burmese pythons reach maturity at approximately 30 months. They breed every other year. After breeding, the female carries eggs for 5 months; then she lays 20 to 100 eggs that require another 2 months to hatch. She guards the nest until the babies hatch. To keep the eggs at the right temperature, she wraps herself around the nest and “shakes.” When hatched, the babies are 2 feet long and weigh 4 ounces. They grow into big snakes that weigh more than 100 pounds and are more than 10 feet long.
The University of Florida is studying this invasive species and the impact it has on the wildlife in the area. In one study, pythons caught in Everglades National Park were fitted with transmitters to track their movements. The researchers released the pythons many miles away from where they were captured and studied their movements.
For this project, you are the natural science manager. You will study data to learn more about the Burmese pythons in Florida. After you complete your study, you will prepare for an interview on the evening news to tell the public about the pythons in Florida.