The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has seized one of the state’s heaviest Burmese pythons ever documented.
Caught in the heart of the Everglades Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area by wildlife expert Kurt Cox, this behemoth serpent stunned conservationists with its imposing size.
Weighing 177 lbs., the python was the heaviest snake ever recorded in the FWC’s PATRIC program (Python Action Team Removing Invasive Constrictors) and ranked fourth heaviest on record. It measured a staggering 22 feet in length, earning its place in the annals of wildlife management history.
The record for the heaviest of this species previously stood at a formidable 215 pounds, embodied by a 17.7-foot female python apprehended by Ian Bartoszek of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida in December 2021. Similarly, the longest python extracted by the FWC was a 19-foot female, tipping the scales at 125.56 pounds, captured by citizen Jake Waleri in July 2023.
Initiated in 2017, the FWC’s PATRIC program targets the eradication of non-native constrictors like Burmese pythons, which have established a formidable presence in Florida’s subtropical landscapes. These invasive predators, originally from Southeast Asia, have flourished in the Everglades’ rich environs following accidental or deliberate releases by pet owners.
Burmese pythons, classified as apex predators in Florida’s ecosystem, pose a dire threat to native wildlife. With a penchant for preying on species crucial to the region’s ecological balance, including marsh rabbits, deer, and wading birds, these voracious serpents have disrupted the natural food chain, depriving panthers, alligators, and other predators of vital sustenance.
The invasive onslaught of Burmese pythons has triggered urgent responses from wildlife authorities, prompting collaborative efforts between the FWC’s PATRIC program and the South Florida Water Management District’s Python Elimination Program. Together, these initiatives have facilitated the removal of over 18,000 pythons from the wild since their inception, underscoring the determination to safeguard Florida’s biodiversity.
As Burmese pythons continue to encroach upon new territories within the Everglades and beyond, the battle against these invasive giants rages on. With public vigilance and concerted conservation efforts, wildlife experts strive to mitigate the impact of these formidable predators on Florida’s fragile ecosystems, preserving the natural heritage for future generations.
If you fancy hunting pythons yourself, more information is available at the South Fllrida Wildlife Management District’s website.
