Home / Environment / Florida Battles Python Invasion: A Record-Breaking Year
Florida Battles Python Invasion: A Record-Breaking Year
11 Jun
Summary
- Conservancy removed 177 invasive pythons, totaling 8,080 pounds.
- Biologists used 40 tagged male snakes to locate breeding females.
- This season prevented over 4,100 python eggs from hatching.
South Florida's Everglades ecosystem is facing a significant challenge from an invasive species: Burmese pythons. These snakes, native to Southeast Asia, have established a thriving population, impacting native wildlife. However, this year marked a record-breaking season for removal efforts.
From November 2025 to April 2026, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida reported capturing 177 Burmese pythons across a 200-square-mile area in Collier County. This significant haul weighed 8,080 pounds, representing the greatest biomass of these invasive snakes removed in a single season by the program, which began in 2013.
Biologists employed innovative methods, including radio telemetry and 40 tagged male 'scout snakes,' to track down and capture breeding females before they could lay eggs. This strategic approach prevented an estimated 4,100 python eggs from entering the ecosystem. The average female captured weighed 95 pounds, with the largest specimen measuring 17 feet and weighing 153 pounds.
Since 2013, the Conservancy has removed 1,750 pythons, totaling over 53,000 pounds. This ongoing program collaborates with partners like the US Geological Survey and the University of Florida, contributing to scientific understanding of python biology and behavior. Residents are encouraged to report any python sightings in Collier County.
