A giant python that was captured in Everglades National Park may be the second largest python ever caught in Florida.
The 18-foot-3-inch python was caught July 9 along the tram road at Shark Valley in the park. The paved loop is used by cyclists and trams taking visitors on wildlife tours through the wetlands.
Park officials said that a python researcher caught the female snake, which was euthanized.
According to state wildlife officials, the longest python ever caught in Florida was 18 feet 8 inches long.
Pythons are not native to Florida, where scientists say the snakes are devouring native wildlife.
According to researchers, a python that’s 18 feet long is capable of ingesting large prey such as deer or alligators.
Agencies/Canadajournal