Massive Python Crosses Suburban Miami Highway, Raising Alarm

On the morning of November 3rd, 2025, a member of a road crew working in Pinecrest, Florida witnessed an extraordinary sight – a massive 14-foot Burmese python slowly slithering across a six-lane highway. This was not an isolated incident, as experts have reported a rise in python sightings in suburban and industrialized areas across South Florida in recent months.

The python near the Dadeland mall in Pinecrest managed to cross all six lanes of traffic before being spotted and reported to the authorities. The Pinecrest Police Department responded and humanely euthanized the snake, which showed signs of aggression and injuries, suggesting it was a wild specimen rather than an escaped pet.

This sighting is part of a broader trend that has wildlife officials concerned. Lt. Chris Pecori of the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue venom response unit says his team has been responding to an increasing number of python calls, with six captures in the last month and a half alone. The snakes have been spotted in a variety of suburban settings, from backyards and driveways to parks and industrial areas, as far north as Coral Gables and Palmetto Bay.

Experts believe the pythons are expanding their range northward from the Everglades, where the invasive species has thrived since being introduced through the exotic pet trade in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. The snakes have decimated mammal populations in the national park, and now they appear to be infiltrating the surrounding suburbs, preying on a variety of small animals and potentially posing a threat to domestic pets.

As the python invasion continues, authorities are urging residents to be vigilant and report any sightings to the authorities and the IveGot1 hotline. While not venomous, these large snakes can be dangerous, and it's best to leave their capture to the professionals.