On June 22, 2022, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida found and captured a Burmese python that weighs 215 pounds. That is a new world record for the heaviest python in the world. The previous record was 185 pounds.
Further research shows that the snake was carrying 122 new eggs. Biologists also found a white-tailed deer in the snake’s stomach.
“The removal of female pythons plays a critical role in distributing the breeding cycle of these apex predators that are wreaking havoc on the Everglades ecosystem and taking food sources from other native species,” said Ian Bartoszek, the Conservancy’s environmental science project manager.
Deer are an essential food source for the pythons and for many other predators in the Everglades. Researchers found the massive snake with the help of a test snake called Dionysus. Most male pythons like Dionysus are attracted to large female pythons like the one researchers captured, so after several weeks Dion led conservationists to the new record-holder for heaviest snake.
Burmese Pythons are found mainly in Southeast Asia, but were introduced into the Everglades after Hurricane Andrew struck Southwest Florida in 1992. The powerful storm destroyed several breeding facilities and let out thousands of snakes into the Everglades.
Sources: https://s3.amazonaws.com/appforest_uf/f1656876709752x438137461486259840/Record-Breaking%20215-Pound%20Burmese%20Python%20Captured%20In%20Florida%20Kids%20News%20Article.pdf
Further research shows that the snake was carrying 122 new eggs. Biologists also found a white-tailed deer in the snake’s stomach.
“The removal of female pythons plays a critical role in distributing the breeding cycle of these apex predators that are wreaking havoc on the Everglades ecosystem and taking food sources from other native species,” said Ian Bartoszek, the Conservancy’s environmental science project manager.
Deer are an essential food source for the pythons and for many other predators in the Everglades. Researchers found the massive snake with the help of a test snake called Dionysus. Most male pythons like Dionysus are attracted to large female pythons like the one researchers captured, so after several weeks Dion led conservationists to the new record-holder for heaviest snake.
Burmese Pythons are found mainly in Southeast Asia, but were introduced into the Everglades after Hurricane Andrew struck Southwest Florida in 1992. The powerful storm destroyed several breeding facilities and let out thousands of snakes into the Everglades.
Sources: https://s3.amazonaws.com/appforest_uf/f1656876709752x438137461486259840/Record-Breaking%20215-Pound%20Burmese%20Python%20Captured%20In%20Florida%20Kids%20News%20Article.pdf
