A Florida python hunter recently captured a 17-foot, 1-inch python in the Everglades, near Fort Lauderdale. The dramatic moment of the capture was caught on camera.
Matthew Kogo, a trapper with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), discovered the serpent in the Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area. One of the videos shows Kogo firmly holding the python's head as it writhes.
On his social media, the expert hunter explains his technique for tiring out the enormous snake to avoid danger. "You have to let it work. As my Brazilian jiu-jitsu friends say, I have to let them work," he jokes. "See how I switch hands?" he says to the person recording the unusual scene. "That way, I don't get tired, letting the snake tire out. See? She's a good girl."
In another clip, Kogo is seen sitting on the ground with the reptile coiled around his legs. While catching his breath after the "struggle" with the animal, he advises, "Spend some time with a snake before you catch it and take it out of the clearing. It's a quality moment."
Experts cited by NBC affiliate WBBH believe it's no coincidence the python was caught during hurricane season. "Higher temperatures, constant rain, and humidity can make invasive snakes more visible in more residential areas," they say.
"Pythons and other snakes are ectothermic, so they prefer being active when it's warm and humid. They are tropical snakes," noted Dr. Andrew Durso, a wildlife biologist and professor at the University of Florida Gulf Coast.
The Burmese python is a constrictor species native to the Indomalayan region in Asia. It is believed they were introduced to Florida by people who kept them as pets and released them into the Everglades National Park due to their extraordinary growth, causing problems for native species.
These invasive pythons can grow up to eight meters long and wreak havoc on the native wildlife of South Florida's ecosystem, even devouring alligators. They have reduced some mammal populations by up to 90%, according to FWC. They have no natural predators in the Everglades.
To combat this, Florida holds an annual competition to eliminate this invasive species from the Everglades. The Florida Python Challenge 2024 will take place from August 9 to 18.
In November 2023, a group of python hunters captured the second-largest snake ever recorded in Florida in the Everglades. It measured 17 feet, 2 inches, weighed 198 pounds, and required five men to control it.
Insights into Python Capture in the Everglades
For those interested in the ongoing battle against invasive pythons in Florida, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
Why are Burmese pythons a problem in the Everglades?
Burmese pythons are an invasive species that have significantly disrupted the native wildlife in the Everglades. Their presence has led to a dramatic decline in mammal populations, as they have no natural predators and can grow to enormous sizes, even preying on alligators.
What techniques do hunters use to capture these large pythons?
Hunters like Matthew Kogo use techniques to tire out the python, such as allowing it to wriggle and switch hands to avoid fatigue. This method reduces the risk of injury and makes it easier to control the snake.
When is the Florida Python Challenge held?
The Florida Python Challenge is an annual event. The 2024 challenge will take place from August 9 to 18, aiming to reduce the population of invasive pythons in the Everglades.