FWC Home Wildlife & Habitats Species Information Imperiled Species Living with Wildlife Nonnative Species Invasive Plants Wildlife Legacy Habitat Information Wildlife Assistance
Wildlife Diseases

Burmese Pythons in Florida

Reptiles of Concern

Where have Burmese pythons been seen in Florida?

In south Florida, Burmese pythons are found throughout Everglades National Park, Southern Glades Wildlife and Environmental Area and adjacent areas. Recently, pythons have been seen in Everglades Wildlife Management Area, and they have been found in Big Cypress National Preserve and Collier-Seminole State Park. Individual pythons have been reported in several cities around Florida.

Statewide Burmese python observations. Outside South Florida, pythons are released or escaped pets.

Where are Burmese pythons found in South Florida?

Burmese pythons are frequently found in or near the water, although they are capable of climbing. Occasionally, pythons are seen in the water during warm months, but most pythons are found crossing roads at night during summer and fall.

Breeding pythons like the cover of cocoplum on the edge of a canal.

During cooler months, Burmese pythons can be found on levees along the edge of canals. On cool mornings, pythons will often lay in the edge of vegetation on the eastern side of canals; after warming up, they will move away from the edges later in the day.

This 6-foot python was found on the edge of a canal on a cool February morning.

Breeding takes place from January through April. In these months, females and males can be found together in the fringe of vegetation on the edge of canals with permanent water. Breeding females are typically larger than males; after laying eggs, females will guard the "nest" for weeks until hatching.

How big are they?

4 of 30+ Burmese pythons taken from an agricultural field just outside Everglades National Park

Burmese pythons of all sizes have been found in the Everglades. The largest snake was over 16 feet long and weighed over 100 pounds. 2005 hastchling

Most Burmese pythons are between 6 and 10 feet long, and are larger than almost all native snakes. In their native range, Burmese pythons commonly reach 18 feet, and the largest specimens exceed 20 feet.

Where are they from?

Burmese pythons are native to Asia, from eastern India through Vietnam and southern China. They are not found in extreme southern Thailand, Myanmar or Western Malaysia, but occur on the islands of Java, Bali, Sumbawa and a small part of Sulawesi. Figure from David and Tracy Barker, Bulletin of the Chicago Herpetological Society, 2008.

Top of page

Our mission: Managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people.