Recently, Miami-Dade firefighters encountered a Burmese python slithering down a shed outside a home in Miami, and they recorded the whole thing on video.
The footage showcased Captain Rusty Shaw skillfully capturing the snake by hand and safely removing it from the property, indicating he’s quite experienced with snakes, even though such interactions with Burmese pythons in residential areas are a bit unsettling.
These large snakes are classified as an invasive species and have been proliferating in South Florida since their introduction in the 1970s. They aren’t typically a threat to humans, but wildlife experts warn they do endanger local wildlife.
Previous research has highlighted a decline in native animals such as bobcats, deer, raccoons, rabbits, and foxes in the Everglades, which struggle against the population of Pythons that thrive without natural predators.
Efforts to control Python numbers have been ongoing for years, but it’s still uncertain if hunting is effectively curbing their population. Since 2017, over 1,400 Pythons have been captured during annual challenges, while contractors have removed upwards of 16,000 invasive species overall.
In 2013, estimates suggested there were between 30,000 and 150,000 Pythons in the region, though many of these numbers have proven unreliable in recent years.
It’s crucial for state wildlife officials to recognize the value of public involvement in tracking these species, and they encourage residents to report any Python sightings.
People can report sightings of Burmese Pythons to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Exotic Species Hotline at 888-483-4681.
The FWC mandates that captured Pythons must be humanely euthanized, but no special permissions are required for this. Also, they provide compensation for hired hunters and participants in the annual Florida Python Challenge.
A Florida resident recently earned a $10,000 prize for capturing 60 Pythons during a hunt in 2025. In total, a record 294 Pythons were removed from South Florida during this 10-day competition.
While the specific date for the 2026 Florida Python Challenge has yet to be confirmed, it’s typically scheduled for the summer months.
