Invasive Pythons in the United States

Invasive Pythons in the United States: Ecology of an Introduced Predator might be the title of a great new horror film instead of the well-researched, professional yet entertaining book that it is.

* Aiken Standard *

This meticulously researched and profusely illustrated work shines a spotlight on the dangers caused by introduction of non-native pythons into South Florida while providing a comprehensive account of what we know about the ecology of Burmese pythons, both in the United States and in their native range. This book will be of considerable interest to a wide range of readers including scholars, researchers, outdoors people, wildlife enthusiasts, and those concerned about the environmental and human threats posed by this invasive species in the United States.

* President, Conservation International, and Vice President, IUCN *

Invasive species come in all shapes and sizes—but few biological invaders are as dramatic as giant pythons. In this magnificently illustrated book, two accomplished snake biologists separate fact from fiction, and provide a user-friendly but scientifically rigorous account of how the pythons got to the USA, what we know about these troublesome aliens, and what impacts they are likely to have on the complex ecosystems of the Everglades and beyond.

* University of Sydney *

The amount of misinformation and hysteria surrounding the discovery of viable populations of large pythons has been mind-boggling. This text provides a serious, scientifically-valid overview of an important ecological problem and will be a welcome addition to the bookshelf of scientists and non-scientists alike.

* Professor and Chair, Department of Biological Sciences, Towson University *

Accomplished ophidian authorities Dorcas and Wilson have produced an exceptionally well-illustrated, highly informative, very readable book on introduced pythons currently existing as established populations in Florida. . . .The narrative is not only factual but also highly entertaining.

If we needed another cautionary tale of the damage to Florida's ecosystem the introduction of exotic species can cause, this work should persuade any skeptic on the issue.

* The Ledger *

Michael E. Dorcas and John D. Willson provide a much-needed examination of the growing impact of Burmese pythons as an invasive species in the United States. By highlighting the many dangers and detrimental effects the introduction of non-native pythons has caused in the Everglades, this book documents the mounting threat which invasives pose to ecosystems everywhere. The first book to focus solely on this issue, Invasive Pythons is well-researched, well-illustrated, and well-timed.

* University Research Professor, Harvard Universi