In a new twist in Florida’s long-running battle against invasive Burmese pythons, wildlife officials are turning to an unexpected ally: robot rabbits.
Outfitted with heaters, subtle movements, and artificial scents, the decoy rabbits are designed to mimic real prey – specifically marsh rabbits, a natural food source for pythons.
The goal is to draw out the elusive snakes and trigger an automated alert system that allows wildlife officials to capture and remove them before they reproduce.
Developed in collaboration between the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and researchers from the University of Florida, the so-called “robo-bunnies” are retrofitted from plush toys and powered by solar energy.
They include built-in AI-enabled cameras and sensors that detect heat signatures and motion consistent with python activity.
Mike Kirkland, an invasive animal biologist with SFWMD, said the team originally tested the system using live rabbits in protective cages. That trial phase resulted in the detection of 26 pythons over a three-month period.
“We saw enough success to move forward with a mechanical version that’s more scalable and humane,” says Kirkland in an interview with WKMG ClickOrlando.
According to UF researcher Robert McCleery, the robotic decoys are capable of transmitting real-time alerts to researchers when approached by a python.
Plans are under way to integrate synthetic rabbit scent into the design, further enhancing their effectiveness as lures. Field tests are being conducted at undisclosed locations in the Everglades, with initial performance data expected later this year.
Burmese pythons, which can grow longer than 18 feet, have devastated native wildlife populations in South Florida since being introduced decades ago through the exotic pet trade.
Their stealthy nature and lack of natural predators have made containment extremely difficult.
Conventional control methods – such as hunting incentives, genetic tracing, and even the use of “scout snakes” fitted with tracking devices – have had limited success.
Officials are now hoping that robotic decoys could help bridge the gap by creating an early-warning system and giving trappers more precision in locating the reptiles.
SFWMD has published a brief announcement on its website confirming the deployment of robotic rabbits as part of a broader Everglades restoration strategy.
“The python problem won’t be solved overnight,” says McCleery, “but we believe this technology could offer a crucial new tool in the fight to protect Florida’s ecosystems.”
