South Florida’s war against invasive Burmese pythons just took a high-tech—and surprisingly adorable—turn. To combat the massive snakes that have decimated Everglades wildlife since the 1970s, University of Florida researchers are deploying an unexpected secret weapon: robot rabbits
Led by wildlife ecology professor Robert McCleery, the team released 40 solar-powered, remote-controlled bunnies designed to mimic one of the pythons’ favorite meals—the marsh rabbit. These decoys are no ordinary plush toys. Their stuffing has been swapped for heaters and tiny motors to simulate real body warmth and movement. Each robotic rabbit is also equipped with a motion-sensor camera that alerts researchers if a python comes to investigate.
The innovation stems from previous experiments where live rabbits successfully lured pythons, but caring for real animals at scale proved labor-intensive. “Robot bunnies don’t need food, they don’t make a mess, and they work 24/7,” McCleery said.
The snakes, introduced through the exotic pet trade decades ago, have become apex predators, wiping out native mammals and disrupting the Everglades ecosystem. Tracking them has been notoriously difficult, as pythons are experts at staying hidden in dense marshland. Conservationists hope these mechanical decoys will change that by drawing the snakes into view for capture and removal.
If the robots alone don’t do the trick, the team has a backup plan: dousing the decoys in rabbit scent to make them even more convincing.
Mike Kirkland, lead invasive animal biologist for the South Florida Water Management District, called the project a potential game-changer. “If these bunnies can reliably lure pythons out of hiding, it could give us the edge we’ve been missing,” he said.
Whether the snakes fall for the ruse or not, Florida’s fight against its most infamous invader just got a dose of clever engineering—and a touch of whimsy.
