Stopping a Burmese Python Invasion

Python Patrol trains snake-spotters and wranglers to remove the invasive species from Florida’s Everglades.

October 14, 2019 | Last updated November 25, 2025

A close look at a coiled Burmese python snake showing dark brown and gold scales. — Invasive Snakes Why we're removing invasive Burmese pythons in Florida. © Kris Serbesoff-King/TNC

The first Burmese python found in the Everglades in 1979 was likely a former pet released or escaped into the wild. Today, after years of breeding, tens of thousands of the snakes inhabit the mainland around Everglades National Park, feasting on rare and endangered species.

The first Keys python was discovered in 2007. When researchers checked on the status of a male Key Largo woodrat wearing a radio transmitter, they found it had moved more than a mile from its original documented habitat. The signal led the researchers to a 7-1/2-foot Burmese python with stomach contents that included two collared woodrats.

This Snake Is Eating the Everglades (11:11) Burmese pythons released into the wild by well-meaning pet owners have created a reptilian nightmare in the Everglades. Learn more in this story from PBS.

One of the problems with the Burmese python is that it’s an invasive species getting in the way of the area’s natural functioning system. That is why we are trying to remove it.

Cheryl Millett

TNC Tiger Creek Preserve Manager

Hatching Python Patrol

The Nature Conservancy Florida launched Python Patrol in the Florida Keys in 2008 and, with the help of Everglades National Park, expanded the effort to the mainland in 2010. Any of the more than 400 responders trained by TNC can safely and humanely capture and remove pythons or other exotic constrictors they encounter.

“We encourage anyone who sees a python or other non-native animal to take a photo from a safe distance and report it to the free hotline,” said Cheryl Millett, the TNC biologist who transferred Python Patrol to the FWC in 2013.

“Early-detection, rapid-response is the best way to stop them from spreading,” Millett said. “Even if the idea of getting your hands on a python gives you the heebie-jeebies, you can be part of the solution by learning how to spot them, calling it in and helping us remove them.”

Citizens can learn more about pythons at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). FWC now coordinates the Python Patrol.

Python Patrol in Action (2:52) This video demonstrates how the FWC trains citizens to become python hunters, to help remove this invasive species from the Florida Everglades.

Why Florida Needs Python Patrol

While pythons aren’t known to attack people, they are indiscriminate eaters. They have been known to eat a wide range of wildlife from tiny songbirds to adult deer and even alligators up to 6 feet long.

Finding an invasive python in the wild is difficult, which is why an army of trained volunteers and professionals is needed to report and/or respond to python encounters.

How to Catch a Python—Don't Try This at Home!

During training, responders are taught how they can pull an escaping python back by the tail repeatedly to let the snake expend a lot of energy. When the snake is tired, the responder grabs the base of the head to avoid getting entangled with the snake.

Pythons captured in the wild are securely bagged, boxed, tagged and dropped off to a designated recipient for research or training

Remember: Always call a trained responder and NEVER try this at home.

Get Impact in Your Inbox

Get global conservation stories, news and local opportunities near you.

Your Email Address

Please provide a valid email address

You’ve already signed up with this email address. To review your email preferences, please visit nature.org/emailpreferences

We may have detected a typo. Please enter a valid email address (formatted as name@company.com). Did you mean to type ?

We are sorry, but there was a problem processing the reCAPTCHA response. Please contact us at webmaster@tnc.org or try again later.

Longleaf sunrise in Florida The sun rises over the tall longleaf pines at TNC's Tiger Creek Preserve in central Florida. © Linda Fish

You Can Help Prevent Invasive Species

Become familiar with distinguishing invasive from native reptiles. Explore this Non-Native Reptiles in South Florida Identification Guide from the University of Florida IFAS Extension.
Help us continue our conservation work in Florida.

Burmese Python Facts from FWC

The Burmese python may reach a length of 26 feet and a weight of more than 200 pounds.
The average size of a Burmese python removed in Florida is 8 to 10 feet.
The native range of the Burmese python stretches from India to lower China, throughout the Malay Peninsula and on some islands in the East Indies. These pythons usually live near water.
Burmese python hatchlings are 18” long, and the longest one captured in south Florida was 18 feet 8 inches long.
Burmese pythons are ambush predators with great camouflage. They spend lots of time hiding in wait and then expend a lot of energy in a short burst to surprise-capture their prey.
A female Burmese python may lay 50-100 eggs and will wrap its body around the clutch to keep it warm and to defend the eggs against predators.
The female python can raise its temperature by rhythmically twitching muscles, which generates heat and helps incubate the eggs. This incubation process may last two to three months.
Once the eggs are hatched, young pythons are on their own to survive.