Charlotte County residents were surprised when a giant Burmese python slithered into their neighborhood one night, but thanks to quick action by locals, the spread of the invasive species was contained.
According to WINK News, resident Wade Gardner discovered the Burmese python on his way home from dinner.
Gardner said he and his neighbor inspected the 11-foot-long, 15-inch-wide python, then took out a snare and an ax to remove it.
“If I just sent them a picture of the snake, they would never believe me,” Gardner said. “They would want to know where I got the picture of the snake.” When he contacted Florida wildlife officials, they told him there were too many pythons and he needed to “bury it and throw it in the trash.”
Naturalist Rob Howell told WINK News the reason residents are seeing more Burmese pythons in the area is because they are migrating north in search of food.
Burmese pythons are an invasive species in Florida and pose a threat to native species and ecosystems in the Everglades, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
While the FWC is working with partners to manage invasive species like the Burmese python, they encourage the public to take action to help curb the spread.
There are no protections for Burmese pythons in Florida, but they are still protected by the state’s anti-cruelty laws, according to the FWC. Locals who encounter Burmese pythons are advised to humanely terminate them and report sightings of non-native species to the Burmese Python Committee.
Invasive species pose a major threat not only to nature but also to humans. As detailed in the assessment in Nature Ecology & Evolution, they are major drivers of biodiversity loss, changing ecosystems and threatening public health and livelihoods around the world.
Invasive plants threaten native plant species that provide cultural and ecological value. In addition to removing invasive plants, homeowners can do their part to support local wildlife by installing natural lawns or rewilding.
Both are low-cost, low-maintenance options that help conserve water and provide resources for pollinators.
In a WINK Facebook post, users weighed in on the situation.
“Florida speed bumps,” one user joked.
Another observer said: “They are ‘moving’ north because people are catching them in the south and releasing them elsewhere.”
“If anything, there would definitely be more,” said a third.
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