Florida researchers use robotic toy rabbits to lure invasive pythons
The South Florida Water Management District and University of Florida are testing electronic decoys to locate Burmese pythons in the Everglades.
Researchers in Florida have begun testing robotic toy rabbits designed to lure invasive Burmese pythons into monitored pens, according to the Times of India. The project, which started field deployment in July 2025, aims to help locate snakes hidden in the dense vegetation of the Everglades.
The decoys are fitted with motors, heaters, and solar-powered electronics to imitate the movement and warmth of real prey. University of Florida researcher Chris Dutton replaced the stuffing of toy rabbits with electronic components that allow the devices to shake, turn, and move at intervals.
Wildlife ecology and conservation professor Robert McCleery is leading the research. He stated that the goal is to capture all the processes an actual rabbit would provide, though he noted he is an ecologist rather than a robot maker.
The South Florida Water Management District's lead invasive animal biologist, Mike Kirkland, said that detection is the primary difficulty because the snakes are well camouflaged. The robotic decoys are watched by cameras inside small pens, and the monitoring system alerts researchers when a python approaches so contractors can be sent for removal.
The Burmese pythons are not native to Florida and prey on animals such as birds, raccoons, and rabbits. While previous experiments used live rabbits, the robotic substitutes are intended to reduce the manpower required to care for animals in remote locations.
The project is currently in its infancy, and officials have not yet established its effectiveness or reported how many snakes have been removed. Researchers may add scent to the robots in the future if movement and heat are insufficient to attract the pythons.