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Burmese pythons in Florida

Burmese pythons are a notable invasive species in Florida, posing significant threats to the state's native wildlife. Introduced in the 20th century, these large nonvenomous snakes can grow between 8 and 10 feet long, with some exceeding 18 feet. They primarily prey on small mammals, birds, and reptiles, leading to dramatic declines in populations of species such as marsh rabbits and raccoons. The warm climate and abundance of prey have facilitated their successful breeding in Florida, particularly in the Everglades, where they have established a breeding population.

Efforts to control the Burmese python population have included public hunting contests and targeted removal programs. These initiatives aim to raise awareness and encourage citizen involvement in combatting the invasive species. Despite these efforts, estimating their population remains challenging due to their ability to camouflage and the difficult terrain of their habitats. As of the early 2020s, populations are believed to range from tens of thousands to potentially hundreds of thousands. The discovery of particularly large pythons suggests that their growth and reproductive capabilities may further exacerbate their ecological impact in Florida.

Full Article

Burmese pythons are an invasive species in Florida, where they are a threat to indigenous wildlife. These snakes have few predators in Florida and kill many indigenous birds, reptiles, and small mammals. Burmese pythons were first introduced in the state in the twentieth century and have since had dramatic negative effects on ecosystems in the state. Scientists, government officials, and citizens have tried various methods to stop their spread and destruction of Florida's indigenous species.

Background

An invasive species is a plant, animal, or other organism that is not native to a place and is likely to cause environmental destruction or harm to other living things or people. A species that is an important part of the ecosystem in its native habitat is invasive elsewhere. Humans are responsible for introducing nearly all invasive species to new areas. Humans have introduced some invasive species purposefully, without knowing or understanding potential negative effects. For example, the Japanese kudzu plant was brought to the United States in the late 1800s as part of an effort to maintain soil health. Farmers in the South were paid to plant it as a cover crop. Although the plant did provide benefits such as reducing erosion, it also grew rapidly in warm, moist climates. In the American South, the vine spread beyond where it was planted and pushed out indigenous plant species. It blanketed buildings, telephone poles, rocks, and choked trees. By the 1950s, scientists no longer recommended planting kudzu, and by the 1970s it was labeled as a weed.

Humans have also unintentionally introduced many invasive species through transportation and travel. For example, in the late 1800s, Americans imported Asian chestnut trees to the United States and unwittingly introduced the microorganism Cryphonectria parasitica, also known as chestnut blight. The Asian chestnut trees had evolved with the fungus and had developed resistance to it, but native American chestnut trees had never before encountered the microorganism and had no defense against it. By the mid-1900s, nearly all American chestnut trees—which had once been keystone species in many Eastern American forests—had died because of the invasive fungus. Another unplanned introduction is the zebra mussel, which is native to lakes in Russia and Ukraine. The mussels probably arrived in North America in the 1980s when large ships from Europe discharged ballast water held in tanks to provide stability. The species spread through many rivers and into states including Utah, California, and Texas. Whether invasive species are introduced purposefully or mistakenly, they often have negative impacts on the regions where they take hold.

Overview

Burmese pythons are large, nonvenomous snakes that kill their prey by constricting, or crushing, them. Like many other members of the python family, Burmese pythons grow to be huge snakes that consume birds and small mammals and reptiles. Most Burmese pythons grow to between 8 and 10 feet long, though some can grow longer than 18 feet long. In their indigenous geographic ranges, which include parts of China and Malaysia, Burmese pythons usually live near water. They easily maneuver through water and are skilled climbers. These reptiles also breed quickly, with females laying clutches of varying sizes. While the typical clutch size is twelve to thirty-six eggs, some will lay between forty and one hundred eggs annually. Burmese pythons lay their clutches in the early spring, typically March or April.

Humans introduced Burmese pythons in Florida in the twentieth century. Starting in the early 1900s, the snakes were sold legally through the exotic pet trade, a global industry that makes billions of dollars a year. The snakes were relatively inexpensive. After a time, some owners likely lost interest in the pets or felt they could no longer care for them as they grew. Many of these individuals released the snakes into the wild rather than euthanizing or rehoming them. Some pythons escaped during shipping and these animals also went into the Florida wilderness. Florida’s warm climate and the large amount of potential prey helped the invasive species thrive in Florida, especially when the wild population became large enough to breed. Once a breeding population of the species was established, it became an even larger threat because even if humans introduced no new pythons to the environment, the numbers would continue to increase. After the threat that Burmese pythons posed to indigenous species became clear, Florida outlawed ownership or purchase of the reptiles. By the early twenty-first century, Burmese pythons were established in the Everglades, including the protected Everglades National Park.

The Burmese pythons almost eradicated numerous species in and around the Everglades. After the snakes were introduced, the populations of animals such as marsh rabbits, raccoons, foxes, and bobcats declined by more than 90 percent. Bird populations in the Everglades have also been greatly impacted by the snakes. Scientists have observed the snakes killing numerous types of birds, including large herons that usually find food and shelter in the marshes. Scientists have found limited evidence of some indigenous Florida predators killing or injuring Burmese pythons. However, the pythons kill many more indigenous animals each year. For example, in 2024, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida reported Burmese pythons in southern Florida can consume prey much larger than previously believed, including deer, alligators, and other animals. Scientific research in the field showed these snakes can stretch their mouths to a maximum gape of 26 centimeters. This large gape enables them to swallow animals up to six times larger than those eaten by similar-sized snakes. For example, a 14.8 foot long python was observed consuming a 77-pound deer, which was nearly 67 percent of its body mass. Their flexible jaws and elastic skin allows pythons to prey on large animals, which significantly impacts indigenous wildlife populations.

By the 2020s, Burmese pythons were most prevalent in the Everglades region of Florida. Nevertheless, some scientists and citizens worried about the python’s ability to invade the Florida Keys, which lies in the south of the state. These islands are located just off Florida’s coast, and pythons can swim in saltwater. Some Burmese pythons had been found in the Florida Keys by the early 2020s, though the numbers had not reached breeding populations. Nevertheless, scientists could not be sure whether the snakes found on the Keys had traveled there from the mainland or were previously captive animals that had escaped or been released by humans. Because scientists could not be sure of the snakes’ origins, they warned citizens and officials to be vigilant about the threat the snakes pose. It is difficult for scientists to estimate the population size of the Burmese pythons in Florida because the animals easily camouflage themselves in sandy or grassy areas and the marshes are difficult to access. By the early 2020s, scientists estimated that from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of pythons lived throughout the state.

Scientists and wildlife conservationists have tried numerous programs and strategies to limit the Burmese python population. One of the most popular and most successful strategies enlists the help of Florida citizens. Each August, people hunt pythons in a contest that awards cash prizes for the largest specimens. This program is effective not only because it removes hundreds of snakes at one time, but also because it raises awareness about the threat that Burmese pythons represent and helps encourage public participation in trying to solve the problem. Furthermore, scientists have studied the program, and they have not identified any unintended consequences, such as a reduction in indigenous species. Scientists have found that citizens can also help eradication efforts by reporting Burmese python sightings in the wild. Burmese pythons can be hunted or killed on private property and some public lands without a permit, although people must have permits to capture live pythons for eradication.

Scientists have also conducted targeted eradication efforts that focus on reducing the python population in certain areas. Some researchers have focused their efforts on removing large females, who are capable of breeding and producing many offspring, from the environment. To locate such females, scientists will capture male pythons and implant radio transmitters into the animals. They then release the males into the wild and let the pythons find the females for them. Also, conservationists have developed programs through which people can drop off unwanted Burmese pythons (or other exotic animals) in safe locations without being questioned or facing repercussions. Local and state government programs including the Python Action Team Removing Invasive Constrictors (PATRIC) and the Python Elimination Program have been responsible for most of the python removals in the twenty-first century in Florida.

Between 2000 and 2025, more than 25,000 pythons had been removed from Florida. Some of that success has occurred due to the annual Florida Python Challenge, a ten-day event to capture and remove Burmese pythons from the area. In 2025, a record 294 pythons were removed during that year's event.

The largest Burmese python found in the Florida Everglades was 18 feet long and weighed 215 pounds in 2022. The previous record was a 140-pound snake found in 2016. The dramatically larger snake found in 2022 suggested that these pythons were becoming an even more significant threat because they were becoming larger over time. The snake found in 2022 was a female in which 122 eggs were developing. Scientists believe that the snake’s large size and its reproductive potential indicate Burmese pythons might be even more harmful to Florida ecosystems and even more difficult to eradicate than previously thought.


Bibliography

Beaver, C. E., et al. “Environmental DNA Surveys of Burmese Pythons in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem.” US Geological Survey, US Department of the Interior, 1 Nov. 2021, pubs.usgs.gov/of/2021/1082/ofr20211082.pdf. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

Beckmann, Sean, et al. “Effect of Native and Non-Native Snake Scents on Foraging Activity of Native Rodents in Florida.” Journal of Mammalogy, vol. 103, no. 1, Feb. 2022, pp. 136-45, doi:10.1093/jmammal/gyab124. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

Falk, Bryan G., et al. “Prospects and Limitations of Citizen Science in Invasive Species Management: A Case Study with Burmese Pythons in Everglades National Park.” Southeastern Naturalist, vol. 15, no. 8, 1 Dec. 2016, pp. 89-102, doi:10.1656/058.015.sp806. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

"Florida’s Invasive Snakes Can Eat Bigger Prey Than We Knew." Conservancy of Southwest Florida, 24 Oct. 2024, conservancy.org/floridas-invasive-snakes-can-eat-bigger-prey-than-we-knew/. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

Hoskins, Levi. "Florida vs. the Burmese Python: How an Invasive Giant Is Changing the Sunshine State." Thompson Earth Systems Institute, Florida Museum, 14 Oct. 2025, www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/earth-systems/blog/florida-vs-the-burmese-python-how-an-invasive-giant-is-changing-the-sunshine-state/. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

“How Have Invasive Pythons Impacted Florida Ecosystems?” US Geological Survey, 10 Sept. 2025, www.usgs.gov/faqs/how-have-invasive-pythons-impacted-florida-ecosystems. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

Kuta, Sarah. “Florida Biologists Capture Record-Breaking 215-Pound Python.” Smithsonian Magazine, 5 July 2022, www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/florida-biologists-capture-record-breaking-215-pound-python-180980363/. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

Mazzotti, Frank J., et al. “Implications of the 2013 Python Challenge for Ecology and Management of Python Molorus Bivittatus (Burmese Python) in Florida.” Southeastern Naturalist, vol. 15, no. 8, Oct. 2016, pp. 63-74, doi:10.1656/058.015.sp807. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

McCollister, Matthew F., et al. “Native Mammalian Predators Can Depredate Adult Burmese Pythons in Florida.” Southeastern Naturalist, vol. 20, no. 2, June 2021, p. N55, doi:10.1656/058.020.0205. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

Sweeney, Chris. “Invasion of the Bird Snatchers.” Audubon, vol. 120, no. 4, Winter 2018, p. 34. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=sch&AN=133356249&site=ehost-live.

Tarshis, Lauren. “Monsters of the Everglades.” Scholastic Scope, vol. 59, no. 6, 2010, p. 4. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=sch&AN=55538643&site=ehost-live.

“What Are Invasive Species?” National Invasive Species Information Center, US Department of Agriculture, www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/what-are-invasive-species. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

Full Article

Burmese pythons are an invasive species in Florida, where they are a threat to indigenous wildlife. These snakes have few predators in Florida and kill many indigenous birds, reptiles, and small mammals. Burmese pythons were first introduced in the state in the twentieth century and have since had dramatic negative effects on ecosystems in the state. Scientists, government officials, and citizens have tried various methods to stop their spread and destruction of Florida's indigenous species.

Background

An invasive species is a plant, animal, or other organism that is not native to a place and is likely to cause environmental destruction or harm to other living things or people. A species that is an important part of the ecosystem in its native habitat is invasive elsewhere. Humans are responsible for introducing nearly all invasive species to new areas. Humans have introduced some invasive species purposefully, without knowing or understanding potential negative effects. For example, the Japanese kudzu plant was brought to the United States in the late 1800s as part of an effort to maintain soil health. Farmers in the South were paid to plant it as a cover crop. Although the plant did provide benefits such as reducing erosion, it also grew rapidly in warm, moist climates. In the American South, the vine spread beyond where it was planted and pushed out indigenous plant species. It blanketed buildings, telephone poles, rocks, and choked trees. By the 1950s, scientists no longer recommended planting kudzu, and by the 1970s it was labeled as a weed.

Humans have also unintentionally introduced many invasive species through transportation and travel. For example, in the late 1800s, Americans imported Asian chestnut trees to the United States and unwittingly introduced the microorganism Cryphonectria parasitica, also known as chestnut blight. The Asian chestnut trees had evolved with the fungus and had developed resistance to it, but native American chestnut trees had never before encountered the microorganism and had no defense against it. By the mid-1900s, nearly all American chestnut trees—which had once been keystone species in many Eastern American forests—had died because of the invasive fungus. Another unplanned introduction is the zebra mussel, which is native to lakes in Russia and Ukraine. The mussels probably arrived in North America in the 1980s when large ships from Europe discharged ballast water held in tanks to provide stability. The species spread through many rivers and into states including Utah, California, and Texas. Whether invasive species are introduced purposefully or mistakenly, they often have negative impacts on the regions where they take hold.

Overview

Burmese pythons are large, nonvenomous snakes that kill their prey by constricting, or crushing, them. Like many other members of the python family, Burmese pythons grow to be huge snakes that consume birds and small mammals and reptiles. Most Burmese pythons grow to between 8 and 10 feet long, though some can grow longer than 18 feet long. In their indigenous geographic ranges, which include parts of China and Malaysia, Burmese pythons usually live near water. They easily maneuver through water and are skilled climbers. These reptiles also breed quickly, with females laying clutches of varying sizes. While the typical clutch size is twelve to thirty-six eggs, some will lay between forty and one hundred eggs annually. Burmese pythons lay their clutches in the early spring, typically March or April.

Humans introduced Burmese pythons in Florida in the twentieth century. Starting in the early 1900s, the snakes were sold legally through the exotic pet trade, a global industry that makes billions of dollars a year. The snakes were relatively inexpensive. After a time, some owners likely lost interest in the pets or felt they could no longer care for them as they grew. Many of these individuals released the snakes into the wild rather than euthanizing or rehoming them. Some pythons escaped during shipping and these animals also went into the Florida wilderness. Florida’s warm climate and the large amount of potential prey helped the invasive species thrive in Florida, especially when the wild population became large enough to breed. Once a breeding population of the species was established, it became an even larger threat because even if humans introduced no new pythons to the environment, the numbers would continue to increase. After the threat that Burmese pythons posed to indigenous species became clear, Florida outlawed ownership or purchase of the reptiles. By the early twenty-first century, Burmese pythons were established in the Everglades, including the protected Everglades National Park.

The Burmese pythons almost eradicated numerous species in and around the Everglades. After the snakes were introduced, the populations of animals such as marsh rabbits, raccoons, foxes, and bobcats declined by more than 90 percent. Bird populations in the Everglades have also been greatly impacted by the snakes. Scientists have observed the snakes killing numerous types of birds, including large herons that usually find food and shelter in the marshes. Scientists have found limited evidence of some indigenous Florida predators killing or injuring Burmese pythons. However, the pythons kill many more indigenous animals each year. For example, in 2024, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida reported Burmese pythons in southern Florida can consume prey much larger than previously believed, including deer, alligators, and other animals. Scientific research in the field showed these snakes can stretch their mouths to a maximum gape of 26 centimeters. This large gape enables them to swallow animals up to six times larger than those eaten by similar-sized snakes. For example, a 14.8 foot long python was observed consuming a 77-pound deer, which was nearly 67 percent of its body mass. Their flexible jaws and elastic skin allows pythons to prey on large animals, which significantly impacts indigenous wildlife populations.

By the 2020s, Burmese pythons were most prevalent in the Everglades region of Florida. Nevertheless, some scientists and citizens worried about the python’s ability to invade the Florida Keys, which lies in the south of the state. These islands are located just off Florida’s coast, and pythons can swim in saltwater. Some Burmese pythons had been found in the Florida Keys by the early 2020s, though the numbers had not reached breeding populations. Nevertheless, scientists could not be sure whether the snakes found on the Keys had traveled there from the mainland or were previously captive animals that had escaped or been released by humans. Because scientists could not be sure of the snakes’ origins, they warned citizens and officials to be vigilant about the threat the snakes pose. It is difficult for scientists to estimate the population size of the Burmese pythons in Florida because the animals easily camouflage themselves in sandy or grassy areas and the marshes are difficult to access. By the early 2020s, scientists estimated that from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of pythons lived throughout the state.

Scientists and wildlife conservationists have tried numerous programs and strategies to limit the Burmese python population. One of the most popular and most successful strategies enlists the help of Florida citizens. Each August, people hunt pythons in a contest that awards cash prizes for the largest specimens. This program is effective not only because it removes hundreds of snakes at one time, but also because it raises awareness about the threat that Burmese pythons represent and helps encourage public participation in trying to solve the problem. Furthermore, scientists have studied the program, and they have not identified any unintended consequences, such as a reduction in indigenous species. Scientists have found that citizens can also help eradication efforts by reporting Burmese python sightings in the wild. Burmese pythons can be hunted or killed on private property and some public lands without a permit, although people must have permits to capture live pythons for eradication.

Scientists have also conducted targeted eradication efforts that focus on reducing the python population in certain areas. Some researchers have focused their efforts on removing large females, who are capable of breeding and producing many offspring, from the environment. To locate such females, scientists will capture male pythons and implant radio transmitters into the animals. They then release the males into the wild and let the pythons find the females for them. Also, conservationists have developed programs through which people can drop off unwanted Burmese pythons (or other exotic animals) in safe locations without being questioned or facing repercussions. Local and state government programs including the Python Action Team Removing Invasive Constrictors (PATRIC) and the Python Elimination Program have been responsible for most of the python removals in the twenty-first century in Florida.

Between 2000 and 2025, more than 25,000 pythons had been removed from Florida. Some of that success has occurred due to the annual Florida Python Challenge, a ten-day event to capture and remove Burmese pythons from the area. In 2025, a record 294 pythons were removed during that year's event.

The largest Burmese python found in the Florida Everglades was 18 feet long and weighed 215 pounds in 2022. The previous record was a 140-pound snake found in 2016. The dramatically larger snake found in 2022 suggested that these pythons were becoming an even more significant threat because they were becoming larger over time. The snake found in 2022 was a female in which 122 eggs were developing. Scientists believe that the snake’s large size and its reproductive potential indicate Burmese pythons might be even more harmful to Florida ecosystems and even more difficult to eradicate than previously thought.


Bibliography

Beaver, C. E., et al. “Environmental DNA Surveys of Burmese Pythons in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem.” US Geological Survey, US Department of the Interior, 1 Nov. 2021, pubs.usgs.gov/of/2021/1082/ofr20211082.pdf. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

Beckmann, Sean, et al. “Effect of Native and Non-Native Snake Scents on Foraging Activity of Native Rodents in Florida.” Journal of Mammalogy, vol. 103, no. 1, Feb. 2022, pp. 136-45, doi:10.1093/jmammal/gyab124. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

Falk, Bryan G., et al. “Prospects and Limitations of Citizen Science in Invasive Species Management: A Case Study with Burmese Pythons in Everglades National Park.” Southeastern Naturalist, vol. 15, no. 8, 1 Dec. 2016, pp. 89-102, doi:10.1656/058.015.sp806. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

"Florida’s Invasive Snakes Can Eat Bigger Prey Than We Knew." Conservancy of Southwest Florida, 24 Oct. 2024, conservancy.org/floridas-invasive-snakes-can-eat-bigger-prey-than-we-knew/. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

Hoskins, Levi. "Florida vs. the Burmese Python: How an Invasive Giant Is Changing the Sunshine State." Thompson Earth Systems Institute, Florida Museum, 14 Oct. 2025, www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/earth-systems/blog/florida-vs-the-burmese-python-how-an-invasive-giant-is-changing-the-sunshine-state/. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

“How Have Invasive Pythons Impacted Florida Ecosystems?” US Geological Survey, 10 Sept. 2025, www.usgs.gov/faqs/how-have-invasive-pythons-impacted-florida-ecosystems. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

Kuta, Sarah. “Florida Biologists Capture Record-Breaking 215-Pound Python.” Smithsonian Magazine, 5 July 2022, www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/florida-biologists-capture-record-breaking-215-pound-python-180980363/. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

Mazzotti, Frank J., et al. “Implications of the 2013 Python Challenge for Ecology and Management of Python Molorus Bivittatus (Burmese Python) in Florida.” Southeastern Naturalist, vol. 15, no. 8, Oct. 2016, pp. 63-74, doi:10.1656/058.015.sp807. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

McCollister, Matthew F., et al. “Native Mammalian Predators Can Depredate Adult Burmese Pythons in Florida.” Southeastern Naturalist, vol. 20, no. 2, June 2021, p. N55, doi:10.1656/058.020.0205. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

Sweeney, Chris. “Invasion of the Bird Snatchers.” Audubon, vol. 120, no. 4, Winter 2018, p. 34. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=sch&AN=133356249&site=ehost-live.

Tarshis, Lauren. “Monsters of the Everglades.” Scholastic Scope, vol. 59, no. 6, 2010, p. 4. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=sch&AN=55538643&site=ehost-live.

“What Are Invasive Species?” National Invasive Species Information Center, US Department of Agriculture, www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/what-are-invasive-species. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

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