Florida tests robot rabbit decoys with AI cameras to detect Everglades pythons

Florida is trialling solar-powered robotic rabbits to help track invasive Burmese pythons in the Everglades. The decoys were developed jointly by the South Florida Water Management District and the University of Florida. They are designed to attract pythons by replicating the heat and scent of real prey, while AI-equipped cameras monitor for approaching snakes. When a snake is detected, officials can notify trained removal agents to intervene. The initiative forms part of Florida's broader ongoing efforts to control the invasive python population.