Florida is testing a new tool to fight invasive Burmese pythons in the Everglades: robot rabbits. As reported by Palm Beach Post (July 15, 2025), researchers at the University of Florida, led by wildlife ecologist Robert McCleery, have developed motorized toy bunnies that mimic the movement and body heat of real rabbits. Pythons are known to be drawn to live prey, but using real animals proved impractical – so science stepped in. The solar-powered robot rabbits are placed in test areas and monitored by motion-triggered cameras. When something approaches, researchers get an alert. If it’s a python, trained response teams or nearby hunters can react quickly. If needed, scent may be added to increase effectiveness. The project is funded by the South Florida Water Management District. It complements a wide range of state efforts to control python populations, from infrared detection and DNA tracking to the annual Python Challenge. While full eradication is unlikely, these innovative methods offer hope for better control of one of Florida’s biggest ecological threats. A new book contribution by Oliver Bendel entitled “An Investigation into the Encounter between Social Robots and Animals” deals with animal-like robots that interact with animals in the wild. The book “Animals, Ethics, and Engineering” with this book contribution will be published by Jenny Stanford Publishing in August 2025.
BY OLIVER BENDEL
