Florida Fish and Wildlife Captures Huge Burmese Python, Second-Largest Snake Ever Removed

By  //  August 26, 2019

Burmese pythons are a threat to native wildlife

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced Monday that Python Action Team member Kevin Reich caught a huge 17-foot-9-inch Burmese python from the wild. (FWC image)

(FWC) – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced Monday that Python Action Team member Kevin Reich caught a huge 17-foot-9-inch Burmese python from the wild.

“This is the second-largest snake ever removed by our team,” said FWC officials.

“Men and women like Kevin are making a big difference for our native wildlife, one invasive snake at a time. Do you have what it takes to capture a snake-like this?”

According to the FWC website, the Burmese python is a large nonvenomous constrictor that is an invasive species in Florida.

Burmese pythons are found primarily in and around the Everglades ecosystem in south Florida where the snake represents a threat to native wildlife.

The FWC works with partners to manage Burmese pythons in a variety of ways. However, they also encourage the public to get involved, too.

The FWC said that pythons can be humanely killed on private lands at any time with landowner permission – no permit required- and the FWC encourages people to remove and kill pythons from private lands whenever possible.

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Pythons may also be killed at any time throughout the year from 22 Wildlife Management Areas, Public Small Game Hunting Areas and Wildlife and Environmental Areas where pythons are known to exist.

There is no bag limit and pythons may be humanely killed by any means other than traps or firearms, unless provided for by specific area regulations.

Learn more about removing pythons in Florida

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