The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) says the Burmese python is an invasive species in the state is a threat to Florida’s ecology.
Some have said the problem occurred after the Cat 5 hurricane Andrew in 1992 destroyed a python breeding facility near the Everglades, releasing hundreds, possibly thousands, of pythons into the wild.
For years the Python invasion seemed to be more of a south Florida problem, but not anymore. A map (https://www.eddmaps.org/county.cfm?sub=18355&country=926&id=12009) by the University of Georgia shows how far north pythons are moving in the state.
Now there are more reports of pythons showing up in Brevard County, which is around 3 hours north of Miami.
The University of Georgia’s Center for Invasive Species map shows several sightings of phytons coming from south Florida into Brevard County going back to 2016.
In February of 2016 a St. Johns River Water Management District employee was hunting in the TM Goodwin Waterfowl Management Area saw a 10–12-foot snake and explained the color and structure of the snake where some believed it to be a phyton. Later that year, Two nine-foot green anacondas were found in Brevard.
In January of 2020, a Burmese python was found in Cocoa, north central of Brevard County near the Beach Line known as State Road 528.
October of 2022 a dead Burmese python found in the northern part of Brevard County south of Kennedy Space Center around the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.
In October of 2023 a 12 ft Python was killed in southwest Brevard County.
And in October of 2023, a Burmese python was found and taken away at the southern tip of the county in TM Goodwin Waterfowl Management Area. The snake was taken away.
The FWC reports since the 2000, over 22,000 Burmese pythons have been removed from the state.
