Florida deploys AI-powered robot rabbits to hunt invasive Burmese pythons

The South Florida Water Management District has introduced solar-driven robot rabbits that mimic prey to lure and detect Burmese pythons in the Everglades.

After the recent Florida Python Challenge, the South Florida Water Management District teamed with the University of Florida to field solar-powered robot rabbits across the Everglades. These devices simulate real rabbits by producing a heat signature and scent that appeal to Burmese pythons, which hunt using thermal and olfactory cues. Equipped with AI-driven cameras, the robots monitor their surroundings and automatically notify district staff when a python is detected, allowing a removal specialist to be dispatched.

Officials say the robots complement, not replace, traditional removal methods that involve contractors and participants in the 10-day competition. Since 2000, more than 19,000 pythons have been removed through state programs, but estimates suggest hundreds of thousands remain, threatening native wildlife. The robotic approach reflects a growing reliance on technology to tackle the invasive species problem in South Florida.