Full Breakdown
Florida Family Captures Second-Heaviest Burmese Python
1/29/2026, 10:53:32 AM
Dramatic Encounter with a Giant Python
On January 13, 2026, Carl Jackson, a professional Burmese python hunter contracted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), encountered a massive 202-pound Burmese python in Big Cypress National Park. While tracking what he initially believed to be a smaller snake, Jackson was surprised to find himself wrestling with a 16-foot, 10-inch female python. During the struggle, the snake coiled around his leg and dragged him approximately 15 feet across an ant hill. Jackson described the experience as “like riding a slow horse,” highlighting the unexpected intensity of the encounter.
Family Involvement and Certification
Jackson was not alone during this encounter; his wife, Tasha, and their two adopted children, Ryker Young, 20, and Jazlyn Bateman, 16, were present to assist him. Remarkably, the day before this incident, the family had just completed their certification as assistants in the FWC’s Python Action Team, which focuses on removing invasive constrictors from Florida's ecosystems. Their training proved crucial as they worked together to subdue the python and ultimately remove it from Jackson's leg.
Impact on Florida's Ecosystem
The capture of this python is significant not only due to its size but also because it contributes to ongoing efforts to control the invasive Burmese python population in Florida. These snakes have been linked to the decline of native wildlife, including small mammals such as rabbits, raccoons, and bobcats. Jackson expressed pride in his family's achievement, noting that they also discovered and destroyed the python's 200 eggs, which he stated would prevent the potential predation of native animals.
Historical Context
Burmese pythons were first identified as an invasive species in the Everglades National Park over 40 years ago. Since then, they have become a major ecological concern, prompting initiatives like the FWC's Python Action Team to manage their population. The python captured by Jackson is the second-heaviest ever recorded in Florida, following a 215-pound specimen caught in 2022.
Official Statements & Responses
The FWC has emphasized the importance of controlling the Burmese python population to protect Florida's native wildlife. Jackson's successful capture serves as a testament to the effectiveness of community involvement in these conservation efforts.
Verbatim Quotes
“It was like riding a slow horse,” — Carl Jackson, Professional Python Hunter
“That means more to me because that is 200 potential deer and native animal eaters [that were eliminated],” — Carl Jackson, Professional Python Hunter
Conclusion
The capture of the 202-pound Burmese python by Carl Jackson and his family underscores the ongoing challenges posed by invasive species in Florida. Their experience not only highlights the dangers of dealing with such large reptiles but also the critical role that community efforts play in wildlife conservation.
