The Burmese python is one of the more high-profile invasive species in Florida and it appears to be getting more comfortable in other parts of the state.
According to a study by the University of Florida published in Scientific Reports, researchers have found the snake cozying up more in southern Palm Beach County near stormwater treatment area 3/4, about 20 miles south of Belle Glade.
The treatment area covers about 17,000 acres and like many parts of Florida offers a vast array of wildlife for birdwatchers and onlookers alike. Now, it appears the snake is one of its more popular newcomers.
A stormwater treatment area (STA) is a manmade wetland or marsh designed to clean up or remove nutrients from surrounding agricultural areas before the runoff reaches the Everglades.
While state contractors found pythons in more common areas such as Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park, a limited number of hunters were finding high amounts in stormwater treatment area 3/4.
Thus, one could assume more hunters might mean more snakes. The study analyzed 16,000 hours of hunting over two years for python hot spots, including ideal times, days, and temperatures to find the snake.
I guess the python likes what it sees...
The study also found another hot spot along the western edge of Big Cypress National Preserve in Collier County. Most pythons are found south of Lake Okeechobee with 1000s removed from Monroe, Miami-Dade, and Collier counties.
The snake also has been found slithering north in recent years.
Burmese pythons are considered invasive to Florida, meaning the snake does not belong in its environment. The python first popped up in South Florida around 1979 and grew in numbers after it was released accidentally or intentionally (or simply flushed down the toilet) through the pet trade in the 1980s.
Specifically, as many as 100,000 pythons were imported to the United States, largely to Florida, between 1996-2006 alone. Overall, the population is known to be as much as 300,000.
Adult Burmese pythons generally grow between 6-9 feet long, but some can grow over 20 feet and weigh more than 200 pounds.
The python is native to Asia including India, China, and Indonesia. They also are cold-blooded, so they rely on the similar warm weather climate of the region.
With similar hot and humid temperatures, the snake appears to have found a "permanent" home in South Florida, including now in Palm Beach County. Those in the area might want to take extra caution as they now might have a new neighbor.
