The invasive Burmese python population in Florida has expanded to a new region, establishing a colony in Charlotte County on the Gulf Coast. This development has sparked concerns among wildlife experts about the ecological impact of these apex predators and has intensified efforts to control their spread.
Historically, Burmese pythons were concentrated in the Everglades National Park and surrounding areas. However, their range has gradually expanded to include regions from Lake Okeechobee to Key Largo and from western Broward County to Collier County. The recent discovery of a satellite population in Charlotte County suggests that these snakes are continuing to spread beyond their traditional habitats.
The Ecological Impact of Burmese Pythons
Burmese pythons are known for their voracious appetites and ability to consume a wide range of prey, including raccoonsopossumsbobcatsalligators and various bird species. Their presence in an area can lead to a dramatic decline in mammal populations, resulting in a simplified ecosystem dominated by rodents and other invasive species.
Ian Bartoszek a wildlife biologist and science coordinator at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida emphasizes the importance of removing these pythons to protect native wildlife. “This is a generalist apex predator, and this is why we’re so interested in removing them from the ecosystem,” he stated. The pattern of ecosystem simplification has been observed in areas where pythons have become established, and researchers have yet to find a way to stop or reverse this trend at the necessary scale.
The Spread of Burmese Pythons in Florida
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) began receiving an increase in python reports in Charlotte County starting in 2026. The affected areas include the townships of Rotonda WestPlacidaEnglewood East and South Gulf Cove. Experts believe that the pythons in this region were likely captive animals that escaped or were intentionally released, rather than the result of natural migration.
The evidence of the new colony is consistent with what biologists would expect from a satellite population established through intentional introductions. An estimated 180,000 Burmese pythons were brought into the country between 1975 and 2018, many of which entered the ecosystem through accidental or intentional release. As of 2000, the species had established a self-sustaining breeding population in the South Florida ecosystem.
Efforts to Control the Python Population
The FWC and partnering agencies are continuing to monitor and survey for Burmese pythons in Charlotte and Lee Counties. However, estimating the python population in Florida has proven challenging due to their low detectability. Research has shown that the success rate of spotting pythons in a survey area is only about 1% to 3%. In Everglades National Park, the frequency of python detection is approximately one python per eight hours of searching.
To address the growing python population, the FWC organizes the annual Florida Python Challenge a conservation competition designed to remove invasive snakes from the wild and raise public awareness about the ecological threat they pose. The 2026 challenge, which began on July 10 and runs through July 19, offers a total prize pool of $25,000. Participants search through designated South Florida public lands, including areas within the Everglades ecosystem, and humanely remove Burmese pythons.
Last year’s challenge attracted 934 participants from 30 states and Canada and resulted in a record 294 pythons being removed from the Everglades ecosystem. The competition is part of the state’s ongoing effort to control the invasive Burmese python population and protect native wildlife populations.
