Burmese pythons, an invasive species long concentrated in and around the Everglades, now have an established satellite population in western Charlotte County, according to a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesperson.
The species is already considered established across much of South Florida, from just south of Lake Okeechobee to Key Largo and from western Broward County to Collier County. Because pythons are difficult to spot, wildlife officials say confirming a new established area can take time.
Adult Burmese pythons have few natural predators in Florida and feed on native wildlife, including threatened and endangered species. Florida-caught pythons are commonly 6 to 10 feet long, though the species can exceed 20 feet; adults are generally tan with dark, puzzle-like blotches.
Florida’s PATRIC program and the South Florida Water Management District’s Python Elimination Program employ qualified contractors to find and remove invasive constrictors. As of April 2025, more than 23,500 pythons had been removed from Florida natural areas, including more than 11,000 by contractors in those programs. Source: Yahoo, reporting information from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and South Florida Water Management District.
