Title: Invasive Species - Lizards, Treesnakes, and Burmese Pythons, Oh My!
By Amy A. Yackel Adams and Andrea F. Currylow
Are large constrictor snakes such as Burmese pythons able to kill people? What is the risk? Would this be in the wild, or in backyards?
Human fatalities from non-venomous snakes are very rare, probably averaging one or two per year worldwide. All known constrictor-snake fatalities in the United States are from captive snakes; these are split between deaths of snake owners who were purposefully interacting with their pet and deaths of small children or infants in homes where a snake was kept captive as a pet. There have been no human deaths from wild-living Burmese pythons in Florida. Overall, the risk of attack is very low.
We cannot categorically rule out the possibility of a fatal attack. In suburban areas and parks in Florida that contain ponds, canals or other bodies of water where large snakes could feel at home, the situation is likely similar to that experienced with alligators: attacks are improbable but possible in any locality where the animals are present and people are also present. The simplest and most sure-fire way to reduce the risk of human fatalities is to avoid interacting with a large constrictor.
Learn more:
Related
Where are Burmese pythons or other large constrictors distributed in Florida?
The Burmese python is now distributed across more than a thousand square miles of southern Florida from coast to coast. This includes Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park, Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area, Big Cypress National Preserve, Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park, Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, Picayune Strand...
Are there invasive reptiles other than Burmese pythons in the United States that people should be concerned about?
Free-ranging, non-native reptiles representing dozens of species from around the world escape or are illegally released in the United States every year. Many of these species fail to establish reproductive populations, but some are successful. Florida is a major transportation hub and has a climate that is suitable for many invasive species across taxonomic groups. Due to the suitable climate, and...
Can Burmese Pythons swim from the Everglades to the Florida Keys?
A number of Burmese pythons have been found on Key Largo, and a few in the Lower Keys. Because pythons regularly escape or are released from captivity, it can be difficult to determine whether a snake encountered in the Keys arrived there by swimming from the mainland or was a former captive pet on the island. Given the python’s ability to disperse via salt water, expansion into neighboring...
Can invasive pythons be eradicated?
The odds of eradicating an introduced population of reptiles once it has spread across a large area is very low – pointing to the importance of prevention, early detection, and rapid response. With the Burmese python now distributed across more than a thousand square miles of southern Florida, including all of Everglades National Park and across the southern coast to Rookery Bay National Estuarine...
Could invasive pythons move into cities?
In their native ranges, many python and boa species are often found living in suburban and urban areas. In Florida, Boa constrictors and Northern African pythons live in or adjacent to the Miami metropolitan area. As with alligators, the risk of attacks on humans in urban areas is very low.
How have invasive pythons impacted Florida ecosystems?
Non-native Burmese pythons have established a breeding population in South Florida and are one of the most concerning invasive species in the area. Pythons compete with native wildlife for food, which includes mammals, birds, and other reptiles. Severe declines in mammal populations throughout Everglades National Park have been linked to Burmese pythons, with the most severe declines in native...
How many Burmese pythons inhabit southern Florida?
It is incredibly difficult to estimate the true population numbers of Burmese pythons in South Florida. Burmese pythons can survive in and utilize a variety of habitats found in the region, and many of these areas are difficult to access and effectively survey. Conservatively, tens of thousands of invasive Burmese pythons are estimated to be present in the Greater Everglades region. Learn More...
What should I do if I see a python in the wild?
If you see a python in the wild – or suspect that a snake is a python or an invasive snake – you should take the same precautions for these constrictor snakes as one would take for any wildlife: avoid interacting with or getting close to them. If you are in Everglades National Park, you can report a python sighting to a park ranger. You can also report the animal via the “Ive Got 1” reporting...
Are invasive snakes dangerous?
Free-ranging snakes representing dozens of species from around the world are discovered in the United States in any given year, usually as a result of escapees or releases from the pet trade, but most of these don't appear to have established a reproductive population. Any animal can be problematic when released in places where it is not native. For example, the Brown Treesnake was introduced to...
PubTalk - 7/2021: Invasives - Lizards, Treesnakes, and Burmese, Oh My!
Title: Invasive Species - Lizards, Treesnakes, and Burmese Pythons, Oh My!
By Amy A. Yackel Adams and Andrea F. Currylow
A Burmese python stretched out in the grass in the Everglades.
A Burmese python stretched out in the grass in the Everglades.
A Burmese python stretched out in the grass in the Everglades.
A Burmese python coiled in the grass in the Everglades.
A Burmese python coiled in the grass in the Everglades.
A Burmese python coiled in the grass in the Everglades.
Tracking Device in Burmese Python
Team of scientists working together to insert a tracking device in a 14 foot Burmese python.
Team of scientists working together to insert a tracking device in a 14 foot Burmese python.
Burmese python hatchling
Non-native Burmese pythons have established a breeding population in South Florida and are one of the most concerning invasive species in Everglades National Park. This photograph is of a Burmese python hatchling
Non-native Burmese pythons have established a breeding population in South Florida and are one of the most concerning invasive species in Everglades National Park. This photograph is of a Burmese python hatchling
Biologists Remove Python from Everglades
This 16 1/2-foot python, being removed from the wild by USGS and NPS personnel, was captured in a thicket in Everglades National Park in May 2012.
This 16 1/2-foot python, being removed from the wild by USGS and NPS personnel, was captured in a thicket in Everglades National Park in May 2012.
Record-Breaking Burmese Python (17 feet, 7 inches, 87 eggs) Captured by The USGS, B-roll
Big Ol‘ Gal
By
A Record-Breaking Invasive Burmese Python
This female Burmese python broke the records for her length -- 17 feet, 7 inches – and the number of eggs she contained: 87. She was first captured in Everglades National Park by USGS researchers in the spring of 2012, when they followed a "Judas snake" -- a male python with a transmitter -- and found her nearby in the bushes.
This female Burmese python broke the records for her length -- 17 feet, 7 inches – and the number of eggs she contained: 87. She was first captured in Everglades National Park by USGS researchers in the spring of 2012, when they followed a "Judas snake" -- a male python with a transmitter -- and found her nearby in the bushes.
Reticulated python (Python reticulatus)
Reticulated python (Broghammerus/Python reticulatus) in Indonesia. Photo ©Bjorn Lardner, Colorado State University. Used with permission.
Reticulated python (Broghammerus/Python reticulatus) in Indonesia. Photo ©Bjorn Lardner, Colorado State University. Used with permission.
Southern African Python
Southern African Python (Python natalensis). The snake pictured is a representative of a species discussed in the USGS snake risk assessment. This snake was photographed in its native range.
Southern African Python (Python natalensis). The snake pictured is a representative of a species discussed in the USGS snake risk assessment. This snake was photographed in its native range.
Burmese Python Caught in the Everglades
This large Burmese python, weighing 162 pounds and more than 15 feet long at the time of its capture in 2009, was caught alive in the Everglades and was found to have eaten an American alligator that measured about 6 feet in length.
This large Burmese python, weighing 162 pounds and more than 15 feet long at the time of its capture in 2009, was caught alive in the Everglades and was found to have eaten an American alligator that measured about 6 feet in length.
Alligator and Python Struggle
An American alligator and a Burmese python locked in a struggle to prevail in Everglades National Park. This python appears to be losing, but snakes in similar situations have apparently escaped unharmed, and in other situations pythons have eaten alligators.
An American alligator and a Burmese python locked in a struggle to prevail in Everglades National Park. This python appears to be losing, but snakes in similar situations have apparently escaped unharmed, and in other situations pythons have eaten alligators.
Related
Where are Burmese pythons or other large constrictors distributed in Florida?
The Burmese python is now distributed across more than a thousand square miles of southern Florida from coast to coast. This includes Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park, Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area, Big Cypress National Preserve, Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park, Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, Picayune Strand...
Are there invasive reptiles other than Burmese pythons in the United States that people should be concerned about?
Free-ranging, non-native reptiles representing dozens of species from around the world escape or are illegally released in the United States every year. Many of these species fail to establish reproductive populations, but some are successful. Florida is a major transportation hub and has a climate that is suitable for many invasive species across taxonomic groups. Due to the suitable climate, and...
Can Burmese Pythons swim from the Everglades to the Florida Keys?
A number of Burmese pythons have been found on Key Largo, and a few in the Lower Keys. Because pythons regularly escape or are released from captivity, it can be difficult to determine whether a snake encountered in the Keys arrived there by swimming from the mainland or was a former captive pet on the island. Given the python’s ability to disperse via salt water, expansion into neighboring...
Can invasive pythons be eradicated?
The odds of eradicating an introduced population of reptiles once it has spread across a large area is very low – pointing to the importance of prevention, early detection, and rapid response. With the Burmese python now distributed across more than a thousand square miles of southern Florida, including all of Everglades National Park and across the southern coast to Rookery Bay National Estuarine...
Could invasive pythons move into cities?
In their native ranges, many python and boa species are often found living in suburban and urban areas. In Florida, Boa constrictors and Northern African pythons live in or adjacent to the Miami metropolitan area. As with alligators, the risk of attacks on humans in urban areas is very low.
How have invasive pythons impacted Florida ecosystems?
Non-native Burmese pythons have established a breeding population in South Florida and are one of the most concerning invasive species in the area. Pythons compete with native wildlife for food, which includes mammals, birds, and other reptiles. Severe declines in mammal populations throughout Everglades National Park have been linked to Burmese pythons, with the most severe declines in native...
How many Burmese pythons inhabit southern Florida?
It is incredibly difficult to estimate the true population numbers of Burmese pythons in South Florida. Burmese pythons can survive in and utilize a variety of habitats found in the region, and many of these areas are difficult to access and effectively survey. Conservatively, tens of thousands of invasive Burmese pythons are estimated to be present in the Greater Everglades region. Learn More...
What should I do if I see a python in the wild?
If you see a python in the wild – or suspect that a snake is a python or an invasive snake – you should take the same precautions for these constrictor snakes as one would take for any wildlife: avoid interacting with or getting close to them. If you are in Everglades National Park, you can report a python sighting to a park ranger. You can also report the animal via the “Ive Got 1” reporting...
Are invasive snakes dangerous?
Free-ranging snakes representing dozens of species from around the world are discovered in the United States in any given year, usually as a result of escapees or releases from the pet trade, but most of these don't appear to have established a reproductive population. Any animal can be problematic when released in places where it is not native. For example, the Brown Treesnake was introduced to...
PubTalk - 7/2021: Invasives - Lizards, Treesnakes, and Burmese, Oh My!
Title: Invasive Species - Lizards, Treesnakes, and Burmese Pythons, Oh My!
By Amy A. Yackel Adams and Andrea F. Currylow
Title: Invasive Species - Lizards, Treesnakes, and Burmese Pythons, Oh My!
By Amy A. Yackel Adams and Andrea F. Currylow
A Burmese python stretched out in the grass in the Everglades.
A Burmese python stretched out in the grass in the Everglades.
A Burmese python stretched out in the grass in the Everglades.
A Burmese python coiled in the grass in the Everglades.
A Burmese python coiled in the grass in the Everglades.
A Burmese python coiled in the grass in the Everglades.
Tracking Device in Burmese Python
Team of scientists working together to insert a tracking device in a 14 foot Burmese python.
Team of scientists working together to insert a tracking device in a 14 foot Burmese python.
Burmese python hatchling
Non-native Burmese pythons have established a breeding population in South Florida and are one of the most concerning invasive species in Everglades National Park. This photograph is of a Burmese python hatchling
Non-native Burmese pythons have established a breeding population in South Florida and are one of the most concerning invasive species in Everglades National Park. This photograph is of a Burmese python hatchling
Biologists Remove Python from Everglades
This 16 1/2-foot python, being removed from the wild by USGS and NPS personnel, was captured in a thicket in Everglades National Park in May 2012.
This 16 1/2-foot python, being removed from the wild by USGS and NPS personnel, was captured in a thicket in Everglades National Park in May 2012.
Record-Breaking Burmese Python (17 feet, 7 inches, 87 eggs) Captured by The USGS, B-roll
Big Ol‘ Gal
By
A Record-Breaking Invasive Burmese Python
This female Burmese python broke the records for her length -- 17 feet, 7 inches – and the number of eggs she contained: 87. She was first captured in Everglades National Park by USGS researchers in the spring of 2012, when they followed a "Judas snake" -- a male python with a transmitter -- and found her nearby in the bushes.
This female Burmese python broke the records for her length -- 17 feet, 7 inches – and the number of eggs she contained: 87. She was first captured in Everglades National Park by USGS researchers in the spring of 2012, when they followed a "Judas snake" -- a male python with a transmitter -- and found her nearby in the bushes.
Reticulated python (Python reticulatus)
Reticulated python (Broghammerus/Python reticulatus) in Indonesia. Photo ©Bjorn Lardner, Colorado State University. Used with permission.
Reticulated python (Broghammerus/Python reticulatus) in Indonesia. Photo ©Bjorn Lardner, Colorado State University. Used with permission.
Southern African Python
Southern African Python (Python natalensis). The snake pictured is a representative of a species discussed in the USGS snake risk assessment. This snake was photographed in its native range.
Southern African Python (Python natalensis). The snake pictured is a representative of a species discussed in the USGS snake risk assessment. This snake was photographed in its native range.
Burmese Python Caught in the Everglades
This large Burmese python, weighing 162 pounds and more than 15 feet long at the time of its capture in 2009, was caught alive in the Everglades and was found to have eaten an American alligator that measured about 6 feet in length.
This large Burmese python, weighing 162 pounds and more than 15 feet long at the time of its capture in 2009, was caught alive in the Everglades and was found to have eaten an American alligator that measured about 6 feet in length.
Alligator and Python Struggle
An American alligator and a Burmese python locked in a struggle to prevail in Everglades National Park. This python appears to be losing, but snakes in similar situations have apparently escaped unharmed, and in other situations pythons have eaten alligators.
An American alligator and a Burmese python locked in a struggle to prevail in Everglades National Park. This python appears to be losing, but snakes in similar situations have apparently escaped unharmed, and in other situations pythons have eaten alligators.
Updated Date: March 19, 2025