To a python, Florida's rich biodiversity of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians is a veritable smorgasbord of delicacies. But could 10 or 20 foot long exotic snakes be slithering into our region? I’m knee-deep in murky swamp water stumbling to keep pace with “Cowboy” Mike Kimmel, one of two dozen state contractors tasked with hunting a ravenous invasive species with no natural predator that’s swallowed whole nearly every racoon, rabbit and fur-bearing mammal in the Florida Everglades. Meet the scientists fighting back. This article explains the history of Burmese pythons in Florida, as well as the current status of this invasive / non-native species. Burmese pythons have so far begun to populate the Florida Everglades, which are quite similar to their native habitat. Although not […] With thousands of Burmese pythons and other giant invasive snakes devastating wildlife in the Florida Everglades, the hottest question on many minds is: How far … Video. Big snakes like anacondas, boa constrictors and pythons now live in the wilds of southern Florida. Hybridizing? The hope is the male will lead to a female. Parasitic bloodsucking worms found in Burmese pythons invading the Everglades are making their way up north and killing native snakes in Central Florida, a new study shows. Only 25% of the original Florida Everglades still survives. The Burmese python may reach a length of 26 feet and a weight of more than 200 pounds. Male pythons surgically implanted with inch-long radio transmitters that are then tracked by plane every two weeks. The population now numbers at least in the tens of thousands and may be much higher. So, I felt compelled to go direct to one of the top python hunters in North America, the Wildman of the Everglades, Dusty Crum looking for answers. At the same time, the Everglades themselves are disappearing. Believe it or not, they are already here. A few months ago, a woman emailed me a picture of a large snake moving across her front lawn. The parasite is getting that far north by other means, hitching rides in reptiles and other host critters that Florida snakes eat, with risk of spreading far beyond the Sunshine State. She lived in the suburbs of southern Florida, and the snake was a Burmese python (Python molurus bivittatus). They’re thriving, and their population is increasing rapidly. Will Florida Pythons Slither To Rest Of The U.S.? This is not Asia. A few months ago, a woman emailed me a picture of a large snake moving across her front lawn. Believe it or not, they are already here. Betrayal, sex pheromones, and a lot of snake wrestling. This is NOT their native habitat. Giant imported snakes have become a huge problem in Southern Florida. This cold-tolerant Burmese python, captured in Florida, could possibly survive along the U.S. coasts as far north as Oregon and Delaware. A Burmese Python in its native habitat poses very little threat to humans, other than maybe the stray small child or something. Like a quarter of all animal species here, Burmese pythons aren’t native to Florida. But could 10 or 20 foot long exotic snakes be slithering into our region? Meet the scientists fighting back. Invasive Burmese pythons have been plaguing Florida for more than 15 years, and now scientists are stepping up the fight. She lived in the suburbs of southern Florida, and the snake was a Burmese python (Python molurus bivittatus). The average size of a Burmese python removed in Florida is 8 to 10 feet. Burmese Python Facts from FWC. A Burmese python captured in Davie, Florida, in 2013. Note the term "native habitat." Most Burmese pythons in Florida are between 6 and 10 feet long, and as adults, are larger than almost all native snakes. Roy Wood, NPS/USGS There may be a strange, slithering invasion coming from the South. In November 2012, a Burmese python was spotted as far north as southern Georgia. Like many snakes, pythons are experts at hiding, so that for each one you see, Dorcas said, you may miss 99 others.