Full Breakdown
Burmese Pythons Establish New Populations Outside the Everglades
7/27/2026, 8:55:50 AM
Expanding Presence in South Florida
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reports that Burmese pythons, long concentrated within Everglades National Park in Miami-Dade County, are now “established” from just south of Lake Okeechobee to Key Largo and from western Broward County west to Collier County. A spokesperson for the FWC told ABC News that a “new satellite population” has taken hold in western Charlotte County, north of Naples and Fort Myers. This marks the first documented foothold of the invasive snake outside the core Everglades region.
Historical Invasion and Ecological Impact
Burmese pythons first appeared in the Everglades in the 1970s, likely released from the pet trade. They are native to India and lower China. Because they have few natural predators, they compete with native wildlife for food. A United States Geological Survey study covering 1997-2012 found that raccoon numbers declined by 99.3%, opossums by 98.9%, and bobcats by 87.5% in areas where pythons are present. The snakes can grow over 20 feet, live more than 25 years, and females may lay up to 100 eggs annually, underscoring their capacity for rapid population growth.
Recent Population Estimates and Hunt Results
Conservatively, experts estimate tens of thousands of Burmese pythons across the Greater Everglades region. In the 2025 Florida Python Challenge, professional hunter Taylor Stanberry captured 60 pythons, earning a $10,000 grand prize and converting the money into the Wild Stanberry’s Sanctuary, a Naples-based nonprofit. Over 900 participants removed 294 pythons during that competition. The 2026 hunt ran from July 10 to July 19, with cash incentives again offered, though a winner has not yet been announced.
Management Strategies and Incentives
The FWC runs a no-cost training program to enlist citizens in locating, identifying, and humanely removing pythons. The annual Florida Python Challenge provides monetary rewards—up to $2,500 for top captures in 2026—and separate categories for novices and professionals. Officials are also exploring innovative detection tools such as near-infrared cameras to improve removal efforts.
Broader Ecological Implications
The spread of Burmese pythons beyond the Everglades threatens additional native species and could further diminish prey availability for Florida’s remaining predators. Continued monitoring, public participation, and technological advances are central to mitigating the snake’s impact on the state’s fragile ecosystems.
