Burmese python

The Burmese python (Python bivittatus) is one of the five largest species of snakes in the world (about the third-largest as measured either by length or weight). It is native to a large variation of tropic and subtropic areas of South and Southeast Asia. Until 2009, it was considered a subspecies of Python molurus, but now is recognized as belonging to a distinct species.

They are often found near water and are sometimes semi-aquatic, but can also be found in trees.

Wild individuals average 3.7 m (12.1 ft) long, but have been known to reach 5.74 m (18.8 ft).

Python invasion has been particularly extensive in South Florida, where a large number of pythons have made their way to the Everglades.

It has been suggested that the current number of Burmese pythons in the Florida everglades has reached a minimum viable population and become an invasive species.

More than 1,330 have been captured in the Everglades.

The importation of Burmese pythons was banned in the United States in January 2012 by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

A 2012 report stated that "in areas where the snakes are well established, foxes and rabbits have disappeared. Sightings of raccoons are down by 99.3 per cent, opossums by 98.9 per cent, and white-tailed deer by 94.1 per cent."

Bird and coyote populations may be threatened, as well as the already-rare Florida panther.

Florida's Hurricane Andrew in 1992 was deemed responsible for the destruction of a python breeding facility, as well as with possible zoo, warehouse, and household escapees.

Read more...https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burmese_python