Python hot spot discovered in Palm Beach County: 5 things to know on invasive snake
Burmese pythons have been a persistent problem in Florida for years, significantly disrupting the local ecosystem. These invasive snakes have few natural predators, allowing their population to grow rapidly.
The issue has become so widespread that people have turned to python hunting as a job. One of the most notable events is the annual Burmese Python Challenge, where participants compete for a grand prize by capturing as many pythons as possible. With the population of these snakes continuing to rise, the need for effective hunting strategies has never been greater.
Recently, the University of Florida discovered a new hotspot for python activity in South Florida during a study to pinpoint the best times and seasons for hunting.
Here's everything you need to know for capturing these invasive species.
More: Python 'hot spot' identified in Palm Beach County by University of Florida study
The study found a handful of known hot spots in South Florida where hunters were able to catch a lot of pythons. Those include areas near the edges of Everglades National Park, and south of Biscayne National Park.
But hot spots that could provide ample prey for more hunters were discovered at the western edge of Big Cypress National Preserve in Collier County and stormwater treatment area 3-4, which is about 24 miles south of Belle Glade and adjacent to the Holey Land Wildlife Management Area.
The best time to hunt pythons is between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. during the wet season from May to October, with the highest catches in August.
Since 2006, 69 pythons have been captured in Palm Beach County, according to the Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System (EDDMapS). Additionally, four pythons have been found dead, and 24 sightings have been reported.
The Burmese python invasion in Florida began with the release of captive snakes, either intentional or accidental. By the mid-1980s, these snakes had likely established a presence in Everglades National Park, according to the 2021 Florida Python Control Plan.
Yes, people are paid to hunt pythons. While the standard hourly rate for South Florida Water Management District hunters is $13, an incentive pay of $30 per hour is offered in certain areas, such as the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, to attract hunters to locations with fewer snakes. In stormwater treatment areas, the pay is $18 per hour.
Burmese pythons, an invasive species in Florida, are expected to remain a problem for the foreseeable future. Despite increasing efforts, no current methods can fully eradicate the population, but researchers continue to explore new strategies to manage their impact.
More: Grand prize winner of 2024 Florida Python Challenge announced
The winner of the 2024 Python Challenge was Ronald Kiger of Marion County, who captured 20 Burmese pythons and took home the $10,000 grand prize.
Diamond Walker is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at dkwalker@gannett.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Burmese pythons: New hunting hotspot found by University of Florida
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