Tracking Pythons
The Quest to Catch an Invasive Predator and Save an Ecosystem
Burmese pythons are invading Florida.
These enormous snakes are native to Southeast Asia, so when one showed up dead along the side of a Florida highway in 1979, scientists wondered where it came from. No one knew the snakes had launched a full-scale invasion. Pet pythons that escaped or were released by their owners started breeding in the wild, and these enormous predators began eating every animal in their path.
Today a group of scientists at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida is tracking Burmese pythons to find ways to stop their spread. Page Plus QR code links lead to video clips and photos of the scientists working in the field. Delve into the science of pythons and their role as invasive predators.
“[A] fascinating example of field biology . . . Who knew that snake science could be so adventurous?”—starred, Kirkus Reviews
| Format | Your Price | Add |
|---|---|---|
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978-1-5415-5706-2
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$25.99 | |
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979-8-7656-2693-1
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$12.99 | |
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978-1-5415-9561-3
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$38.99 |
| Interest Level | Grade 4 - Grade 8 |
|---|---|
| Reading Level | Grade 5 |
| Genre | Science |
| Category | 5 Kinds of Nonfiction, 5KN: Narrative Nonfiction, Animals, STEM, STEM: Life Science/Animals |
| Copyright | 2020 |
| Publisher | Lerner Publishing Group |
| Imprint | Millbrook Press ™ |
| Language | English |
| Number of Pages | 64 |
| Publication Date | 2020-03-03 |
| Text Type | Narrative Nonfiction |
|---|---|
| BISACS | JNF003190, JNF037020, JNF003270 |
| Dewey | 597.96/7809759 |
| Graphics | Full-color illustrations |
| Dimensions | 10.625 x 8.875 |
| Lexile | 1110 |
| Guided Reading Level | W |
| Features | Author/Illustrator biography, Author/Illustrator note, Awards, Bibliography/further reading, Glossary, Index, Maps, Page Plus™, Photo captions, Primary source quotations/images, Reviewed, Source notes, Starred Reviews, and Websites |
Author: Kate Messner
Kate Messner is passionately curious and writes books that encourage kids to wonder, too. Her titles include award-winning picture books, easy readers, chapter books, nonfiction, and novels. A former teacher, Kate lives in upstate New York with her family and is trying to summit all 46 Adirondack High Peaks in between book deadlines.
Awards
- Maine Student Book Award Shortlist
- Green Earth Book Award
Reviews
The Horn Book Magazine
“[A] nod to the affection and respect the researchers have for these reptiles . . .”—The Horn Book Magazine
Booklist
“Messner’s compelling photo-essay gives an inside look at the researchers’ hot, dirty, grueling (and often frustrating) work and offers an extensive bibliography for further research.”—Booklist
Kirkus Reviews
“[A] fascinating example of field biology . . .”—starred, Kirkus Reviews