Burmese pythons have established a breeding colony in Charlotte County, located in southwestern Florida. This marks the first confirmed expansion of the species beyond its historical range in the southern part of the state, wildlife experts informed ABC News.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has declared that Burmese pythons are now considered "established" in a section of western Charlotte County, north of Naples and Fort Myers on the Gulf Coast.
Previously, the species' established range spanned from south of Lake Okeechobee to Key Largo and from western Broward County to Collier County.
Sightings in the area began to increase significantly starting in 2020, particularly in Rotonda West, Placida, Englewood East, and South Gulf Cove.
Active Breeding Colony Discovered
Biologists have identified an active breeding colony near Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park.
Authorities have ruled out the possibility that this new colony resulted from natural migration from the Everglades. The FWC believes these animals were once pets that either escaped or were intentionally released by their owners.
Ian Bartoszek, a biologist and scientific coordinator at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, supports this conclusion: "The evidence of the new colony aligns with what biologists would expect from a satellite population established through intentional introductions, not natural expansion."
The FWC and its partner agencies continue to monitor Charlotte and Lee counties, although experts acknowledge there is currently no effective large-scale solution to reverse the ecological damage caused by this invasive species.
Impact of Exotic Pet Trade
The problem traces back to the exotic pet trade: the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that approximately 180,000 Burmese pythons were imported into the country between 1975 and 2018, many of which ended up in the ecosystem through escape or release.
By the year 2000, the species already had a self-sustaining population in southern Florida.
The ecological impact of these snakes is devastating. As generalist apex predators, they prey on raccoons, opossums, bobcats, alligators, birds, and deer, including animals larger than themselves.
Devastating Ecological Impact
In areas of the Everglades invaded by these snakes, studies have documented declines of up to 99.3% in raccoon populations, 98.9% in opossums, and 87.5% in bobcats.
Bartoszek summed it up clearly: "They are a generalist apex predator, which is why we are so focused on removing them from the ecosystem."
Robert McCleery, an ecologist from the University of Florida, warned that once pythons settle in an area, most mammal populations are decimated, leaving behind a "simplified ecosystem" dominated by rodents and other invasive species.
"This is a pattern we have yet to find a way to stop or reverse at the necessary scale to address the problem," he noted.
Challenges in Detection and Control Efforts
One of the biggest challenges in controlling these reptiles is the difficulty in detecting them. The success rate in search operations is estimated to be only 1% to 3%, with approximately one python found for every eight hours of tracking in Everglades National Park.
Florida maintains active control programs. In June 2026, the state set a record by removing 177 Burmese pythons with a combined weight of 8,080 pounds during the mating season, surpassing the previous record of 6,300 pounds.
Additionally, the Florida Python Challenge 2026 offered $10,000 in prizes to the participant who eliminated the most snakes during the 10-day event, held from July 10 to 19.
Understanding the Burmese Python Invasion
Why are Burmese pythons a threat to Florida's ecosystems?
Burmese pythons are a threat because they are generalist apex predators that drastically reduce populations of native mammals, birds, and reptiles, leading to simplified ecosystems and disrupting the balance of local wildlife.
What are the main challenges in controlling the python population?
The main challenges include their elusive nature, which makes detection difficult, and the low success rate of search operations, estimated between 1% to 3% in finding pythons.
How did Burmese pythons become established in Florida?
Burmese pythons became established in Florida primarily through the exotic pet trade, where many escaped or were intentionally released into the wild by their owners.