In Pursuit of the Same Fruit

The Burmese python is one of Florida’s most destructive invasive species, wreaking havoc in the Everglades, causing a cascade of affects to both predators and prey that call the Everglades home. Their presence has led to an 87–99% decline in many small and medium mammal species. Florida panthers, a native and endangered species, rely heavily on these mammals as their source of prey. As a result, panthers and Burmese pythons are now competing for the same limited food resources.

I chose to represent this issue with Florida's most iconic fruit- the orange. In this piece the panther clings desperately to the orange in it's mouth, while the python coils tightly around it, ready to strike and steal it away. They are In Pursuit of the Same Fruit and the pythons show no signs of stopping. This work aims to educate the public about the far-reaching consequences of invasive species and how irresponsible exotic pet ownership directly contributed to the spread of Burmese pythons in Florida.