Answer
The mark-recapture experiment is designed to estimate the python’s total population size. The major assumption of the experiment is that the snakes, during the course of experiment, do not perform any migration.
Work Step by Step
For the estimation of python, a number of pythons in the area must be trapped and marked with a tattoo that does not shed off with the skin of the snake. Than The pythons must be released. After a month or longer, the pythons must be retrapped. To estimate the population size, the flowing formula can be used for the estimation of the total population size:
N (population size)= Mn/m
Where, M is the number of pythons marked, n is the recaptured snake population, and m is the number of marked snakes in the recaptured population. Resampling must be carried out as many times and N must be calculated. Furthermore, the average of the N must be known. This method must be repeated in other areas also.
The assumptions that can be made are the pythons do not move out and in of the study area, and during the sampling attempts the unmarked and marked snakes mix up. The probability of the marked and unmarked snakes getting trapped is equal.
