Florida’s longest Burmese python caught near the Everglades
COLLIER COUNTY, Florida. – The longest documented Burmese python in Florida was caught in the Big Cypress National Wildlife Refuge on Monday.
According to the Southwest Florida Conservation Authority, the snake was exactly 19 feet long and weighed about 125 pounds.
The previous record holder, also found in Florida, was 18 feet 9 inches long.
Jake Whalery, 22, donated the snake to the Southwest Florida conservation organization after finding it with his hunting partner Steve Guata early Monday morning.
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Valerie is part of the Glades Boys, a duo that runs tours of South Florida where members have the opportunity to hunt the invasive Burmese pythons.
“It’s great to be able to influence the South Florida environment,” Valerie said. “We love this ecosystem and try to preserve it as much as possible.”
Biologists from the conservation organization say that studies conducted with this snake will be useful in understanding the origin of the Burmese python population in South Florida.
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida removal team holds the record for finding the heaviest Burmese python. This snake, found in June 2022, weighed 215 pounds.
More photos of the record-breaking python can be found online, posted by @Gladesboys on Tiktok and Instagram.
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