Nonnatives - Burmese Python

Burmese Python - Python molurus bivittatus

Florida's Nonnative Wildlife. Species detail.

First year: 1980s

Extirpated year:

Established status: Populations are confirmed breeding and apparently self-sustaining for 10 or more consecutive years.

Estimated Florida range: 2 counties Less than 10 years, 1 county Not reported breeding

Statewide trend: Expanding

Burmese Python
Photograph by DEP biologist, Collier-Seminole State Park © 2003

Threats to natives: Preys upon mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and even fish. Due to its large size, it could potentially threaten a variety of wildlife species. May provide food for American alligators.

Species Account: This large constrictor may reach a length of 8 m (26 ft). It is found from India to lower China, the Malay Peninsula, and on some islands of the East Indies, where it typically lives near water. It is semiaquatic but a good climber. It is one of the most commonly kept exotic snakes in the pet trade because of its "gentle" disposition. Burmese pythons have been reported from the saline glades and mangroves at the south end of Everglades National Park since at least the 1980s. Specimens collected on Main Park Road in 1996 and 1997 appeared to be recent releases, however (Meshaka et al. 2000). Almost 100 Burmese pythons of all size classes plus at least 1 gravid female have now been collected from Everglades National Park, and 2 "fights" between pythons and American alligators have been documented (S. Snow, Everglades National Park, personal communication). At least 3 pythons have been collected from Collier-Seminole State Park, Collier County (A. Bishop, FDEP, Osprey, personal communication). Pythons have been found as far east as Krome Avenue in Dade Co., as far west as Hwy. 29 in Collier Co., and as far north as Alligator Alley (T. Crutchfield, personal communication).

Habitats: Estuarine community

County	First Year	Extirpated Year	Breeding status	Notes
MONROE	1980s		Less than 10 years	Meshaka et al. (2000) reported an established population in the southern part of Everglades National Park; almost 100 specimens of all size classes have now been captured in the park and at least 1 gravid female with 41 eggs (S. Snow, Everglades National Park, personal communication)
COLLIER	2003		Not reported breeding	At least 3 pythons have been found at Collier-Seminole State Park (A. Bishop, FDEP, Osprey, personal communication)
DADE	1980s		Less than 10 years	Pythons are now established in the Dade Co. portion of Everglades National Park (S. Snow, Everglades National Park, personal communication).

References

Meshaka, W. E., Jr., W. F. Loftus, and T. Steiner. 2000. The herpetofauna of Everglades National Park. Florida Scientist 63:84-103.

Links to more information

Find a Conditional Reptile Adopter
Python Permit Program
Report a Sighting or Hunter Kill
Identify Burmese Pythons
Burmese Python FAQs
Who Zoo Info

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