Survey optimization for invasive Burmese pythons informed by camera traps

Michael V. Cove; Jeremy Dixon; Katherine King; Matthew Willson; Kristen Hart

doi:10.1002/wll2.12021

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Survey optimization for invasive Burmese pythons informed by camera traps

Michael V. Cove·Jeremy Dixon·Katherine King·Matthew Willson·Kristen Hart

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Abstract

The Burmese python ( Python bivittatus ) is an invasive predator responsible for broad mammal declines in South Florida, United States. Despite their large size, pythons remain cryptic and require multifaceted approaches for detection. We evaluated a novel technique by deploying camera traps at known locations of radiotagged pythons in the Florida Keys. We estimated daily detection probabilities of snakes and plotted diel activity patterns. Our results suggest camera traps can effectively survey pythons but seasonality and camera trigger mechanisms affect utility. Pythons were most detectable with time-lapse camera traps and more detectable in winter. The diel activity pattern of pythons peaked midday through early afternoon, indicating an optimal survey time for other search methods. Artificial intelligence can alleviate photo volume, so we recommend a combination of motion detection and time-lapse with shorter time (1 min) intervals for python-specific surveys and where camera traps are deployed to monitor mammals to improve passive python detection.

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Wildlife Letters Article

Source-reported bounding extent: 25.171438385028097° to 25.36091215502944° latitude; -80.41478767228156° to -80.20716631015603° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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Michael V. Cove, Jeremy Dixon, Katherine King, Matthew Willson, Kristen Hart. 2023-09-25. Survey optimization for invasive Burmese pythons informed by camera traps. https://doi.org/10.1002/wll2.12021

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