Pythons are wreaking havoc on local wildlife in Florida, becoming one of the most challenging invasive species management issues worldwide, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. With estimates suggesting over 100,000 of these serpents slithering through southern Florida, since 1997, they have efficiently eradicated a number of animals from the Everglades and reduced the populations of others by upwards of 98%.

However, a study conducted by an international team of researchers in Southeast Asia could hold an unconventional solution: turning the invasive python population into a sustainable food source. According to the team’s findings, commercial python farming could address significant environmental challenges associated with traditional livestock farming.

The study, which spanned a year, revealed that raising pythons requires fewer resources compared to conventional livestock farming methods. Unlike chickens, pigs and cattle, which contribute to approximately 15% of the planet’s annual greenhouse gas emissions primarily through the production of feed, pythons are more efficient in converting food into weight gain.