Record-breaking python caught in Florida measured in at 17.7 feet, 215 pounds

Pythons are native to Southeast Asia. They’re an invasive species in Florida. They have been introduced there within the Nineteen Seventies, seemingly within the unique pet commerce.

Throughout an April necropsy, the record-breaking python’s head measured practically 6 inches from the tip of her snout to the again of her cranium. The widest a part of her physique measured 25 inches.

The python had hoof cores in her digestive tract, which researchers say signifies her final meal was an grownup white-tailed deer.

When the researchers weighed the snake, they could not imagine it.

“I believed the dimensions was damaged,” intern Kyle Findley stated.

Florida Fish & Wildlife has killed or eliminated greater than 15,000 pythons since 2000, however in the end no one is aware of what number of extra reside in and damaging the state’s ecosystem.
To assist monitor down the pythons, researchers use scout snakes or snitch snakes: male pythons with surgically implanted transmitters. The males are launched into the wild throughout the breeding season, and researchers observe them to search out feminine pythons and eradicate them.

“Giant reproductive feminine pythons are crucial to take away from these ecosystems,” in response to biologist Sarah Funck. She stated the massive females are disproportionately able to giving delivery to many infants, which is why they’re extra essential to search out.

The record-breaking feminine snake had 122 eggs lining her inside from her abdomen to her tail; the eggs weren’t but absolutely mature.

To be taught extra about how researchers caught this record-breaking python and what they hope to be taught from learning her, try this characteristic in Nationwide Geographic.

Observe: The video within the video participant on the high of this web page is from a earlier story on pythons in Florida.

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