In the state of Florida, civilians are encouraged to kill Burmese Phytons on-site because they are among the largest carnivorous snakes in the world, and they reproduce at a rapid rate. Although Burmese Phytons are native to South Asia, they were brought to Florida by exotic pet collectors during the 1980s. Many of the imported snakes overproduced offspring due to negligence on the part of their owners before some escaped into the wild. Today, there are over 100,000 Burmese Phytons in the state of Florida. Burmese Phytons primarily reside in the swam areas known as the Florida wetlands and are greatly impacting the ecosystem because of their fast-paced proclivity for multiplying and devouring local animals.
Florida patrons recently caught an 18-foot Burmese Phyton in the wetlands. When they turned the large snake over to the local team of scientists, they euthanized it immediately, per state law. Shortly thereafter, it was revealed that the Burmese Phyton had swallowed a fellow predator whole. The scientists on hand cut the snake open and discovered a dead five-foot alligator with its torso and limbs fully intact. Roosie Moore, a geoscientist who was present for the examination, uploaded video footage of her team dissecting the Burmese Phyton to Instagram. The video has since gone viral.
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South: NBC 6 South Florida
