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Invasive Burmese pythons have established a new hot spot in Florida, wildlife experts say
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Key Points:
- Invasive Burmese pythons have established a new colony in western Charlotte County, Florida, expanding beyond their previously known core range in South Florida.
- Wildlife officials believe this new population likely originated from escaped or released captive snakes rather than natural migration.
- Burmese pythons are apex predators that severely disrupt ecosystems by decimating mammal populations, leading to simplified environments dominated by rodents and invasive species.
- The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reported increased python sightings in the area since 2020 and continues efforts to monitor and control the population.
- Due to their elusive nature, estimating the total number of Burmese pythons in Florida remains difficult, with detection rates as low as 1% to 3% during surveys.
