How far north will the snakes go?

The invasive Burmese python continues to plague South Florida’s ecosystem, particularly in the Everglades. The snake became established there years ago and no one knows exactly how many pythons are roaming the swamp.

As the 2024 Florida Python Challenge kicks off Friday at 12:01 a.m., one of many efforts underway to reduce the python population, a new question is being asked with increasing frequency.

Will more of these intimidating snakes start appearing further north in Florida?

The Florida Python Challenge encourages people to once a year go out in groups and remove as many snakes as possible over a 10-day period. Cash prizes are awarded for the most snakes. This year’s challenge concludes at 5 p.m. on Aug. 18.

Over the past few years, the News-Press and Naples Daily News have reported on this issue of python migration north. Here are some of the things we have learned and reported on:

Further: Python Q&A: How many pythons have been eliminated since the first Florida Python Challenge?

What is the northernmost point where a python has been located?

On November 9, 2012, a Burmese python was killed in the outskirts of the state, just outside the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.

In an article published by our environment reporter Chad Gillis in June, a 2023 U.S. Geological Survey, or USGS, report shows that Burmese pythons are expanding their range so rapidly that in some areas miles per year can be measured.

Just six years ago, the snakes were found as far north as south Fort Myers and Labelle, but in recent years they have been found across the Caloosahatchee River and in the Port Charlotte area and farther north in the heart of Okeechobee. They are now also found in Cape Coral and on Pine Island, the report said.

Further: Python Purge: What you need to know about the Python Challenge in Florida

It’s not known how far north and west the snakes will go, but some reports suggest they will reach well beyond the Florida state line.

Several snakes from that area have been captured in recent years by amateur and professional hunters.

Below is an excerpt from a Q&A that trend journalist Samantha Neely produced in 2023:

What is the typical range of a python?

Burmese pythons are currently considered to be established from Lake Okeechobee south to Key Largo and from western Broward County to western Collier County.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, officials said they are currently trying to learn more about the Burmese pythons removed from the Charlotte County area, as the origin of these animals is unknown and there is not enough evidence to support that these pythons are connected to the established population in South Florida.

Could pythons tolerate the colder northern climate?

The colder climate limits the Burmese python’s range.

In their native habitat of India, lower China, the Malay Peninsula, and some East Indian islands, they require a warm tropical and temperate climate. Burmese pythons experience temperatures of around 88 degrees in the sun, similar to the climate seen in South Florida.

Further: Warmer temperatures and cold-tolerant adaptations mean Burmese pythons could reach Georgia

What is the habitat of a python?

Large snakes typically live in rainforests near streams, although they have been known to survive in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, swamps, and rocky hills.

In Florida, the FWC notes that Burmese pythons are semi-aquatic and are often found near or in water.

This article originally appeared on the Fort Myers News-Press: Florida python challenge begins Friday. Are these snakes moving north?