Nature & Environment

Huge 18ft python is the largest ever found in Florida

By T.K. Randall
June 22, 2022

Image: Reticulated Python (illustrative)
Credit: Mariluna / CC BY-SA 3.0 (adapted) The species was first introduced in the Everglades in the 1980s and has since gained a significant foothold, resulting in a major decline in raccoons, opossums and bobcats as well as the near total disappearance of some rabbit and fox species.

Wildlife officials have since spent years attempting to remove the reptiles from the region.

This latest specimen is the largest yet - a female weighing 13.6 kg and measuring 17.7 feet in length.It was caught after another python - a male - was used to lure it out of its hiding place.

"Large reproductive female pythons are very important to remove from these ecosystems," said biologist Sarah Funck of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Images of the snake can be viewed in the news report below.


Source: Live Science

Tags: Python, Snake