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Since 2006, a total of 69 Burmese pythons have been documented as captured in Palm Beach County, as reported by the Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System (EDDMapS). Additionally, there have been four confirmed deceased pythons and 24 reported sightings. The true number of these invasive snakes could be significantly higher, with many remaining undetected.
In the Treasure Coast region, located just north of Palm Beach County, there have been at least 25 confirmed sightings of Burmese pythons since 2004.
The origins of the Burmese pythons in Florida have often been attributed to escaped or released pets. However, recent studies suggest that these pythons are now capable of migrating north and west from their native habitats in South Florida. This adaptation may be due to crossbreeding with local species, allowing them to thrive in new environments.
A key concern is whether these pythons have moved beyond their known breeding range, which encompasses areas from Lake Okeechobee down to Key Largo and across to western Broward County and Collier County.
The Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the U.S. Geological Survey have refrained from speculating on this matter, and experts in the field express uncertainty about their range evolution.
A research article from 2008 published in Biological Invasions indicates that Burmese pythons are “now well established in southern Florida and spreading northward.”
Ken Gioeli, a Natural Resources and Environment agent with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, noted, “They are proficient at finding shelter and are successfully adapting to various conditions.”
Florida Burmese Python Habitat Range
According to findings from the U.S. Department of the Interior’s U.S. Geological Survey Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, the distribution of the Burmese python has expanded since their initial establishment in the Everglades during the 1980s. Studies indicate these snakes have adapted to colder climates and varying habitats.
The USGS has confirmed their presence outside the Everglades through DNA analysis of their biological materials, such as saliva, feces, and shed skin, as explained by research geneticist Margaret Hunter.
Their confirmed territories extend north of Lake Okeechobee throughout the Kissimmee River basin stretching from Orlando to the Okeechobee area, and in the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge in Palm Beach County.
Their capacity to thrive in higher terrain is partly attributed to possible crossbreeding with Indian rock pythons, which favor those environments, prior to their introduction into the Everglades.
Evidence of their adaptation to cooler temperatures was highlighted during the cold snap in 2010. Researchers indicated that those pythons that survived exhibited genetic differences compared to those that perished.
The 2008 study notes that “a considerable segment of the continental U.S. may be at risk from this tropical invader.”
Climate change could further extend their range by the year 2100, potentially encompassing states like New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Colorado, and parts of Washington state.
States with climates favorable to the Burmese python include all of Florida and much of California, as well as territories in the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas—all paralleling the snakes’ native habitats across Asia.
“They will continue to evolve and adapt,” warned Hunter.
Currently, the FWC staff actively monitors reports of pythons existing outside their breeding range, disseminating information regarding new locations or changes in their spread.
Efforts to Manage Burmese Python Populations in Florida
Programs like the Python Elimination Program by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and the FWC’s Florida Python Challenge are just a couple of initiatives aimed at controlling python populations, as their presence disrupts ecological balance.
The impact of pythons has been dire, leading to the decline of 85-100% of various native species in the Everglades, including foxes, bobcats, rabbits, and deer — populations that also inhabit the Treasure Coast.
The FWC and SFWMD engage about 100 hunters who are tasked with monitoring and removing pythons throughout the Everglades year-round. The Python Challenge, which originated in 2013, evolved into an annual event where hunters can compete to capture these invasive snakes.
To date, more than 23,000 pythons have been captured since the year 2000, with 917 of those resulting from the Python Challenge alone, according to reports from the FWC. However, estimates suggest that only a fraction—less than 1%—of the total python population, which numbers in the tens of thousands, has been addressed.
Current legislation permits people to humanely kill an unlimited number of pythons on 32 designated FWC-managed lands year-round, including private properties with consent from the landowner.
“Removing each python from Florida’s ecosystem is crucial for reducing the negative impacts on native wildlife,” stated FWC spokesperson Lisa Thompson, emphasizing the need for public reports on sightings.
However, as Gioeli points out, reporting may not be as widespread as necessary.
Reporting Burmese Python Sightings in Florida
Gioeli remarked that while news reports sometimes highlight interactions with pythons, these incidents often go unrecorded in the proper reporting channels. “I am working to bridge that information gap and raise awareness about the existing reporting systems,” he explained, stressing the importance of public engagement.
In instances of immediate threat, contacting 911 or local animal control is paramount, followed by reporting specific Python locations to the FWC’s Invasive Species Hotline at 888-Ive-Got1 (483-4681). Providing photographic evidence is crucial since these snakes can be confused with other species.
According to Gioeli, persistent outreach and educational initiatives are vital to encourage reporting, especially with the influx of new residents in the area. “It’s important for newcomers to be informed about available reporting mechanisms,” he noted.
Further Resources About Burmese Pythons in Florida
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Map: Florida Burmese pythons habitats grow beyond Everglades
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