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Another Florida Python Challenge has gone and slithered by, with more than 700 hunters registered for this year's challenge.
The invasive Burmese pythons have spread throughout the Florida Everglades over the last few decades. By removing hundreds of native species and repopulating at lightning speed, these pythons have dominated the region, prompting statewide hunts to control their population.
However, is it possible for the large snakes to slide out of the swamps of South Florida toward the top of the state, possibly even to outside states, and dominate other areas?
What is a Burmese python's habitat?
The large snakes typically live in rainforests near streams, although they have been known to survive in a variety of habitats, such as grasslands, swamps and rocky foothills.
In Florida, the FWC notes that Burmese pythons are semi-aquatic and are often found near or in water
Where, how far north in Florida are Burmese pythons found?
According to Florida Fish and Wildlife, Burmese pythons are established from just south of Lake Okeechobee to Key Largo and from western Broward County west to Collier County, including:
- Everglades National Park
- Biscayne National Park
- Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area
- Big Cypress National Preserve
- Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park
- Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge
- Picayune Strand State Forest
- Collier-Seminole State Park
- Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
According to experts, the number of observed pythons in urban areas will increase over the next 5 to 10 years. However, residents should not be alarmed, since most snakes will remain in natural areas.
What is the farthest north a python has been located?
On Nov. 9, 2012, a Burmese python was removed on the outskirts of the state, just outside of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.
Could pythons tolerate the weather up north?
Colder weather does limit the range of the Burmese python.
In their native habitats in India, lower China, the Malay Peninsula, and some islands of the East Indies, they need a tropical and warm-temperate climate. Burmese pythons experience temperatures of around 88 degrees in the sun, similar to the climate seen in South Florida.
But, according to a USGS report on Burmese pythons in Florida, "there is evidence that evolutionary change has already altered parts of the genome responsible for cold tolerance, and there is the potential for behavioral plasticity to enhance cold tolerance."
"This evidence suggests we may at least expect that pythons can tolerate climatic conditions farther north than where the population is currently established south of Lake Okeechobee," the report says.
How did pythons come to Florida?
According to past reports, Burmese pythons were introduced to the Sunshine State in the 1970s and 1980s when they were imported for sale as exotic pets. However, some owners were unable to handle the giant snakes and could not find them new homes, so they illegally released them into the wild.
See photos of huge Burmese pythons caught during challenge
When was the 2026 Florida Python Hunt? When are winners announced?
This year's Florida Python Hunt took place from July 10 through July 19.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation, winners for this year's challenge will be announced soon. Last year, it wasn't until a FWC meeting on Aug. 13 that the winners were announced, including the competition's first-ever woman to win the $10,000 grand prize, Taylor Stanberry.
What should you do if you see a Burmese python?
The Florida FWC advises that if you have a non-native species, do not release it. If you come across one, report it to the Invasive Species Hotline immediately at 888-Ive-Got1 (888-483-4681), providing an exact location and photos.
Contributing: Mark H. Bickel, Fort Myers News-Press and Jennifer Borresen, USA TODAY
Samantha Neely is a trending reporter for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, covering pop culture, theme parks, breaking news and more. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Hunt is over, but how far have Burmese pythons spread in Florida?
