The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) says Burmese pythons are invasive species of the state.
Some say the problem started after CAT 5 Hurricane Andrew destroyed a Python breeding facility near the Everglades in 1992, releasing hundreds, perhaps thousands of Python into the wild.
For years, the Python invasion seemed like a problem with South Florida, but it wasn’t. The map (https://www.eddmaps.org/county.cfm?sub=18355&country=926&id=12009) shows how well North Pythons are moving in the state by the University of Georgia.
There are currently reports that Pythons will appear in Brevard County, about three hours north of Miami.
The University of Georgia’s Invasive Species Map Center shows several sightings of Featon coming to Brevard County from South Florida in 2016.
In February 2016, employees from the St. John’s River Water Management District were hunting in the TM Goodwin Waterfowl Management Area when they saw a 10-12-foot snake and explained the colour and structure of the snake they believed to be Featon. Later that year, two 9 feet of green anacondas were discovered in Brevard.
In January 2020, a Burmese python was discovered in Cocoa in the north center of Brevard County near the Beach Line, known as State Route 528.
In October 2022, a dead Burmese python located in the north of Brevard County, south of the Kennedy Space Center around Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.
In October 2023, 12 feet of Python died in southwestern Brevard County.
And in October 2023, Burma’s Python was discovered and taken at the southern tip of the county in the TM Goodwin Waterfowl Management area. The snake was stolen.
The FWC reports that more than 22,000 Burmese Pisons have been removed from the state since 2000.
