A 17-foot, 198-pound python was recently captured in Florida, making national headlines as the second-heaviest python ever caught in the state.
Florida has organized six state-sponsored competitions to raise awareness and reward hunters who catch and humanely kill the most Burmese pythons.
The most common venomous snake bite in South Florida is from the cottonmouth.
Venomous snake bites have nearly doubled in South Florida this year, with 42 reported cases compared to an average of 27 in previous years.
South Florida has seen a significant increase in venomous snake bites this year, with reported cases nearly doubling from an average of 27 in previous years to 42. The most common venomous snake bite in the region is from the cottonmouth, a species native to the region's swamps and canals. This surge in snake bites is suspected to be linked to the population boom and expansion into the Everglades.
In addition to the native venomous snakes, the region is also grappling with the issue of invasive species, particularly the Burmese python. These pythons have adapted so well to the Florida environment that they appear to be here to stay. In response to this, the state has organized six state-sponsored competitions to raise awareness and incentivize hunters to catch and humanely kill the most Burmese pythons. This year's Python Challenge drew 1,035 hunters and resulted in the capture of 209 pythons. The winner of the competition caught 20 snakes and received a $10,000 reward.
The python problem in Florida is not just a numbers game. The size of these reptiles is also a cause for concern. A 17-foot, 198-pound python was recently captured in the state, making national headlines as the second-heaviest python ever caught in Florida. The heaviest python captured in the state was an 18-foot, 215-pound specimen killed in 2021.
In case of a snake bite, it is advised to keep the bite elevated above the heart and seek immediate medical attention. As the snake population continues to grow and adapt to the Florida environment, residents and visitors are urged to stay vigilant and informed about these reptiles and the potential dangers they pose.
Amy Siewe, a former real estate agent, now hunts invasive Burmese pythons in the Florida Everglades.
Florida has organized six state-sponsored competitions to raise awareness and reward hunters who catch and humanely kill the most Burmese pythons.
The annual contests have the feel of a reality TV show, with hundreds of people looking for their five minutes of fame and jockeying for the best spots to find the snakes.
This year's Python Challenge drew 1,035 hunters and netted 209 pythons. The winner caught 20 snakes and received $10,000.
Venomous snake bites have nearly doubled in South Florida this year, with 42 reported cases compared to an average of 27 in previous years.
The increase is suspected to be due to the population boom and expansion into the Everglades.
The most common venomous snake bite in South Florida is from the cottonmouth, due to the region's swamps and canals.
The article also provides advice on what to do in case of a snake bite, emphasizing the importance of keeping the bite elevated above the heart and seeking immediate medical attention.