Burmese pythons are on the move again, this time, pushing beyond South Florida and creeping along the Gulf Coast.
People keep spotting and even catching these giant snakes in places like Charlotte County, far from their old stronghold in the Everglades. Their numbers keep growing, and as they spread out looking for food and space, they’re turning up in new neighborhoods.
These pythons didn’t belong here to begin with. They arrived through the exotic pet trade, and now they’re throwing the local ecosystem out of balance. Native mammals and birds are disappearing, panthers, bobcats, even alligators are affected. The food web’s taking a hit, and the problem isn’t small. Just last year, trappers found an 18-foot female python packed with 122 eggs. That’s not just one snake; that’s the next generation, ready to scatter.
Agencies like the South Florida Water Management District and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are stepping up their efforts and running programs to track and remove these snakes. One method involves using “Judas” pythons, males fitted with transmitters, to find hidden females during breeding season. Community events like the Florida Python Challenge™ turn removal into a public mission.
Scientists are tracking new behaviors as well. Some reports mention pythons courting in open water, which makes them even harder to find and capture. Their adaptability keeps experts on their toes. The Florida Gulf Coast News and FWC both confirm that these snakes are steadily moving north and west, settling into Collier, Charlotte, and other Gulf Coast counties.
Trappers say they’re getting more calls about pythons showing up in people’s yards and suburban neighborhoods. Experts expect this trend to continue as pythons expand their range. Trappers strongly advise against trying to catch or handle these snakes if you run into one. The risk isn’t worth it, as people end up needing stitches or worse. Call the professionals. Report any sightings, especially outside the usual range, to the FWC. If you’re trained and it’s safe, you can dispatch a snake on your property, but always let wildlife officials know.
Burmese pythons are spreading, and Florida’s wildlife, and people, feel the impact. Stay alert. Report what you see. And leave the snake wrangling to the experts.
