Florida officials have been fighting a losing battle against their resident Burmese python infestation, but now they're testing a new weapon.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture received a patent for a new snake trap. The device is cage-like, and has a net at one end, the Associated Press reported via the Washington Post.
In past years, the alien invasive species has grown out of control since it has no natural predators. The Asia native's presence can mostly be attributed to released pets or escapees.
Federal wildlife officials are desperate to stop the serpents before they dangerously deplete mammal populations and interfere with efforts to "restore natural water flow through the everglades," the Associated Press reported. Mammal populations in areas where the snakes reside have already seen a sharp drop.
The wildlife officials will test the traps by luring pythons in using the scents of tasty small mammals. They will try to "disguise" the cages in place where the snakes like to rest, such as in a sewer pipe.
"There's still more to be learned, there's still more to be tested," Humphrey said, the AP reported. "This is just one of your tools that you have to put together with other things to get the problem solved."
The trap is made from galvanized steel wire, with an exceptionally-strong net on one end. The cage is designed to only trap the Burmese python and not native snakes with two carefully placed "triggers" that must be activated to close the trap.
