In a wild new effort to battle invasive Burmese pythons, researchers in South Florida have deployed robotic marsh rabbits. Yes, you read that right.
These solar-powered, remote-controlled decoys are designed to mimic real marsh bunnies, a favorite snack of the pythons. Outfitted with heaters to simulate body heat and motors to create lifelike movement, the robo-bunnies are part of a University of Florida-led project aimed at luring the elusive snakes out of hiding.Why not use live bait? Too labor-intensive. These high-tech decoys don’t need food, don’t make a mess, and even come with motion-sensor cameras that alert scientists when a python gets close.If the snakes don’t fall for the mechanical fluff, researchers have a backup plan: rabbit-scented perfume.Burmese pythons have decimated native wildlife in the Everglades for decades, and scientists are trying anything to fight back.
Things have changed since I was a kid.