Home / Environment / Pythons Climb Florida Trees: Invasive Snakes Embrace Arboreal Life
Pythons Climb Florida Trees: Invasive Snakes Embrace Arboreal Life
28 Sep
Summary
- Burmese pythons in Florida increasingly use trees and shrubs.
- Juvenile pythons exhibit arboreal behavior more than adults.
- Tree use serves multiple functions including basking and resting.
Burmese pythons in southern Florida are increasingly utilizing trees and shrubs, with juveniles exhibiting this arboreal behavior more often than adults. Between 2017 and 2024, researchers tracked 188 adults and 168 juveniles in Big Cypress National Preserve.
Observations revealed that pythons used aboveground woody vegetation for basking, resting, movement, and even egg brooding. Adult pythons were observed in trees up to 8 meters high, while juveniles reached up to 10 meters.
Arboreal habitat use was seasonal, peaking in cooler, dry months like January, with adult pythons absent from trees during summer months. Body size also played a role, with smaller pythons found in certain plant species.
The study found arboreal use was generally low but varied significantly among individuals. This unique behavior highlights the adaptability of invasive Burmese pythons in Florida.
