A Whopping 5,000 Invasive Pythons Have Been Removed From the Florida Everglades
Hunters capturing invasive Burmese pythons in Florida Everglades hit a milestone by removing 5,000 snakes within the program.
The large snake has disrupted the ecosystem, preying on animals native to the state.
The state-launched capture programs were created to remove the pythons from the wetlands.
Long, slithering Burmese pythons have been making themselves feel at home in the delicate Florida Everglades, eating native animals and disrupting the ecosystem—and Florida Fish and Wildlife officials are saying enough is enough.
In the state-launched Python Elimination Program, hunters have walked through the swampy areas of the national park, wrangling thousands of the invasive species before hitting a milestone of eradicating 5,000 Burmese pythons since the inception of the program in 2017.
The extremely large constrictor is indigenous to parts of China and India, as well as the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia, and islands in the East Indies. So how did the species get to Florida? The tan snake is extremely popular in the pet trade and FWC officials believe the pythons either escaped from their owners or were deliberately released.
While the Burmese python can grow up to 9 feet on average, the largest one that has been captured in Florida measured up to be an unbelievable 18 feet long. It’s debatable if any pet should be that that size in length, however, when it comes to the Burmese python, the law in Florida is clear: They are no longer allowed to be classified as pets within the Sunshine State.
Working together with @SFWMD, our teams have removed 5,000+ #invasive Burmese #pythons from the wild. Thanks to @GovRonDeSantis for the support: https://t.co/x92FE17cLC https://t.co/08CyPOllmc #Florida #snake ?? by Tom Rahill pic.twitter.com/HGclIQFgKY
— MyFWC (@MyFWC) July 28, 2020
An overwhelming presence of Burmese pythons have invaded the Florida wetlands with females laying as many as 50 to 100 eggs per year. By wrapping its body around the eggs, it starts the incubation period which lasts about three months. Once the eggs hatch, they can spread like wildfire and impressively live up to 20 years in captivity. Although the species typically remained in the Everglades, officials say there’s evidence showing the presence of the python in northern and western parts of Florida.
Considering that the Burmese python is so large in size, they have little to worry about in terms of predators. It’s one of the biggest reasons why they’re able to encroach on Florida’s native species. They’re not picky eaters either, consuming species native to the Everglades like wood storks, alligators, and even deer, per the Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area. And with nothing standing in its way, some of Florida’s beautiful wildlife have been on a decline.
With the Python Elimination Program and Python Action Team Members working together, officials pay hunters to brave the Everglades in search for the invasive species before capturing and humanely euthanizing them. Hunters are paid by the hour, but reap extra benefits by capturing pythons of a decent size. For an 8-foot python, the hunter would be paid $150 for predator.
Florida residents who aren’t as adventurous can also play their part to rid of the invasive species by calling the Exotic Species Hotline at (888) 483-4681.
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