Part 5/17:
The technological arms race continues with GPS-tracked “Judas snakes,” which lead scientists to nearby snakes during mating season. Yet, these measures are more about management than eradication; biologists openly acknowledge that complete elimination is impossible. The invasive species have become a permanent fixture in Florida’s ecology, a stark symbol of ecological neglect and the unintended consequences of species introduction.
The costs are enormous. Millions of dollars have been spent, and the ecosystem continues to degrade as native species vanish. The decline of small mammals and ground-nesting birds has ripple effects, altering plant growth and food webs across the wetlands. The collapse paints a bleak picture of a once-diverse ecosystem pushed to the brink.