Florida's Largest Burmese Python at 18 Feet, 200 Pounds Discovered in the Everglades

Burmese pythons are one the largest snake species in the world. They are known as constrictors since they wrap their bodies around their pray before eating them.

An invasive species, the snakes have a large impact in the food web and ecosystem.

In Florida, previous reports indicated that the species has no natural predator, which makes it an apex predator in the area for a number of animal species, including birds, lizards, monkeys, rodents, and other mammals.

Now, Florida's largest Burmese python was recently discovered in the Everglades, measuring at 18 feet (5.4 meters) long with a weight of 215 pounds (97 kilograms).

The snake emerged from its hiding place after being lured by researchers who used a different python as bait.

In the last five decades, the population of the invasive pythons has increased in southern Florida.

The unchallenged presence of the snakes made their number explode since the first found python in the Everglades in 1979.

The rapid spread also hindered eradication efforts by humans before.

Florida's Largest Python

(Photo : Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

The National Geographic on Tuesday, June 21, reported that researchers have captured the giant python.

It is recorded not only as the largest of its species in Florida but also anywhere outside local natural habitat.

The python is a female, who appeared out of nowhere when it attempted to approach a so-called "scout snake" with an attached global positioning system (GPS) tracker on its body.

Nat Geo also mentioned that such method had been used before to eradicate reproductively active female snakes, as well as its general populace.

The captured Burmese python recently exceeded the size of the same species with a size of 16 feet found in the Collier County in South Florida in 2016.

Also Read: Viral Footage Shows 'World's Largest Snake' Being Lifted Out of Rainforest

What are Burmese Pythons?

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation (FWC) stated that Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus) are not native to Florida since they originally hailed from Southeast Asia.

Their attribution as an invasive species stems from their impact on native wildlife.

The persistence of the non-native reptile species is also supported by animal protection laws in the Sunshine State.

As an exception, they can be killed in a humane way when entering one's home or vicinity, with the discretion of a private property owner.

Almost all Burmese pythons found in Florida can grow at a range from six to 10 feet long.

Meanwhile, their Southeast Asia counterparts can grow from 18 feet to 20 feet or more.

World's Largest Snake

In the animal kingdom, Burmese pythons are only part of a long chain of the diverse snake species and predatory snakes worldwide.

Although their size is notable, the longest snake in the world is still none other than the reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus).

According to the Natural History Museum (NHM), M. reticulatus was first found in 1912 and is comparable even longer than the height of a giraffe and half the length of a bowline lane.

Various research and recordings suggested that it can grow up to 32 feet (10 meters) long.