Invasive Pythonsโข Increasinglyโ Found in Florida urban Areas,Raising Safety Concerns
NAPLES,FL – Burmese pythons,typically associated with the Florida Everglades,are increasinglyโ venturing into urban areas and even homesโฃ across โคSouthwest Florida,prompting heightened concern from residents and โwildlife officials. A record-breakingโค 19-foot python, recently captured in eastern Collier County, underscores the growing reach of โคthe invasive species and the challenges โขof containing its spread.
These encounters,โ while still relatively rare, are becoming more โคfrequent as python populations explode within the Everglades. The snakes are driven by โขaโ search for food and suitable โhabitat, and increasingly, that leads โขthem into proximity with people and their properties.โ The โฃheaviest Burmese pythonโฃ ever โขrecorded, a 215-pound female nearly 18 feet long caught in the Everglades in 2022, highlights โthe โpotential size andโฃ threat these snakes pose. Experts warn that continuedโ expansion beyond the Everglades could led to increased risks of human-python interactions,potentialโข pet predation,and further disruptionโ of native ecosystems.
The Florida โฃFish and Wildlifeโฃ Conservation Commission (FWC) has documented a notableโข increase in reported python sightings outside of the everglades in recent โขyears. โฃWhile specific numbers for urban encounters aren’t readily available,โค the FWC โฃactively encourages residents toโ report any python sightings throughโ itsโข IveGot1Python program. The program aims to remove pythons from the wild and gather data on their distribution.
“These snakes are apex predators โandโข can pose a threat to native wildlife, โฃincluding endangered species,” said Melissa Hill, a wildlife biologist with theโฃ Conservancy ofโ Southwest Florida. “Their presence in urban areas is a โnew progress that requires increased vigilance โคand proactive management strategies.”
The FWC and partner organizations are employing various methods to โฃcontrol the pythonโข population, including incentivized removal programs, research into python behavior,โค and public awareness campaigns.โ The recent capture of the 19-foot โฃpython, which โsurpassed the previousโ record of 18โค feet, 10 inches set in 2022, demonstrates the success of these efforts, butโค also the โคcontinued need for aggressive intervention. Residents are advised to remain โขaware of their surroundings, โkeep pets indoors when possible, and report any pythonโฃ sightingsโ to the โฃFWC instantly.