Record-Setting Python Caught in Florida

Researchers in Florida caught a record-setting python in the Everglades last week.

The Burmese python is one of the largest snakes in the world, averaging about 12.1 feet in length. Originally inhabiting only Southeast Asia, Burmese Pythons are now considered an invasive species in South Florida. 1992 Hurricane Andrew was deemed partially responsible for this occurring, as the storm caused the destruction of a Python breeding facility. South Florida provides a perfect climate for the pythons to thrive, and the swampy wetlands of the Everglades give the snake a habitat like home.

State officials estimate nearly 100,000 pythons living in South Florida. These snakes pose threats to native wildlife.

On Friday, researchers caught a 17-foot-long Burmese Python in the Big Cypress National Preserve (West of Miami) according to their Facebook page. Besides being 17 feet long, the snake weighed 140 pounds and contained 73 eggs. The researchers safely removed the snake from the preserve.

Rangers at the Big Cypress National Preserve credit new tracking technology for making the catch possible. Researchers have fitted male snakes with radio transmitters, which allows the tracking of males when they locate females for breeding. This data provides locations of the snakes for removal, but also gives data for research and developing new tools.

The State of Florida organized a “Python Challenge” in 2013 with prizes given to those who could catch the snakes. In 2017, hunters were paid nearly $175,000 of state funds to kill the snakes.