Wildlife native to the Everglades is being threatened by a large number of pythons slithering in with the main goal of killing off populations. Most of these pythons are offspring of pets that have been illegally released into the wetlands because they grew too big and dangerous for owners to manage.

Text Box. Burmese pythons invading the Everglades have heavily impacted the wildlife and the food chain in South Florida. These predators have contributed to major declines in animal populations—like mammals, birds and even reptiles—and pose as a major threat to endangered species.

The problems posed by Burmese pythons in Everglades National Park show that preventing the release of exotic animals is extremely important. Once they are established, removal becomes much, much harder. YOU have an important role to play in preventing the spread and establishment of exotic species.

Snakes of this size are capable of ingesting large prey like deer and alligators. This human risk assessment concluded that although the risk of an unprovoked attack by a Burmese python in Everglades National Park is low, it is not non-existent.

Non-venomous. Burmese pythons may bite to defend themselves. Small individuals are not generally dangerous to people or pets. However, larger Burmese pythons have large, sharp teeth, and their bites can cause severe lacerations.

Burmese pythons in the state of Florida are classified as an invasive species. They disrupt the ecosystem by preying on native species, outcompeting native species for food or other resources, and/or disrupting the physical nature of the environment.

Burmese pythons can, indeed, make great pets for the few people with the ability and facility to care for a snake that can attain a length of 15 to 20 feet. The stocky little 2-foot hatchlings are the perfect size to appeal to pet reptile keepers. Burmese pythons are easy to breed in captivity, too.

There have been no human deaths from wild-living Burmese pythons in Florida. Overall, the risk of attack is very low.