Question

The marsh rabbit is a species native to the swamps and marshes of the southeastern United States. The rabbits feed on both aquatic and marsh plants found in this ecosystem. In the late 1990s, the Burmese python was introduced to the United States. In their native habitat of Southeast Asia, Burmese pythons eat small birds and mammals. What most likely happened to the marsh rabbit population after the Burmese python was introduced to the U.S.?

Answer 1

Answer: The marsh rabbit population will decline and eventually it may even become extinct.

Explanation: The Burmese python is an invasive species hat has had a large negative impact on ecosystems such as the Everglades. This species does not have a natural predator within US and thus it has no natural means of population control.

Without this, the pythons are free too feed and reproduce at alarming rates. Among their prey species is the marsh rabbits. Although these have a high reproductive rates, it has been proven that their population decline is due to the Burmese pythons.

As with many other species, it is probable that the marsh rabbits will become extinct due to the presence of this invasive predator. Furthermore, it seems that scientists have not been able to find a method to eradicate the infestation of Burmese pythons. Thus, it is a growing problem that has catastrophic consequences on fragile ecosystems such as the Everglades.