What eats a key largo wood rat?

Answer 1

Invasive Burmese pythons: http://www.fws.gov/verobeach/index.cfm?method=activityhighlights&id=11

The exotic Burmese python continues to expand its range in Florida and land managers are increasingly concerned about the impacts of this invasive snake on Florida ecosystems. Interagency efforts are underway to address the significant challenges posed by Burmese pythons and other large constrictor snakes occupying our natural areas. An invasive species is defined as an alien species whose introduction does, or is likely to cause, economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. More than 624 of the South Asian snakes have been found in Everglades National Park since 2000 with others appearing along Florida's west coast and farther north in Florida.

In 2006-2007 alone, more than 418 snakes were captured and removed or found dead in the park. South Florida is home to a number of species listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, and some of these are susceptible to predation by giant constrictors. Recent reports show that the population appears to be growing in the Everglades, with estimates of their numbers in the thousands putting in jeopardy a wide variety of listed and native species.

Pythons have been implicated in the death of several endangered wood rats in North Key Largo. The wood rat is one of the most endangered species in south Florida, with about 200 individuals remaining in the wild within one small geographic area. A number of other highly endangered species such as the Lower Keys marsh rabbit, Key Largo cotton mouse, and Cape Sable seaside sparrow also occurs in places where pythons have been found. Given the documented increases in wild Burmese python sightings in and around the Florida Everglades, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has found it essential to implement measures to control the spread of Burmese pythons (and other large constrictor snakes) into The Florida Keys.