Florida constricts Burmese python population with surge in kills, Gov. DeSantis says

Florida’s snake killers are recording big numbers, getting rid of 748 pythons in July — more than triple the number from the same time period last year.

“In the month of July alone, the program removed more pythons than the entire 12 months pre-transition. That’s incredible that they’re doing it,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said.

DeSantis announced the latest numbers during a press conference standing next to handlers holding one of the snakes that are wreaking havoc in the Everglades.

“Anybody want to come pet? It’s free,” DeSantis teased.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is now partnering with Miami-based Inversa, which helps kill the snakes. Inversa then markets the leather from the invasive species to make boots, belts and other items.

DeSantis admired a python baseball saying, “I think that’s going to be something we’ll put in the office.”

DeSantis called the partnership between the state and Inversa an unexpected success.

“I didn’t know that the numbers would be this dramatic, I must confess. So, it’s been a pleasant surprise to see the progress.”

The state budgeted $2 million for FWC to fund python removal efforts this year. Some of the money has gone toward monetary prizes for snake hunters in the annual Florida Python Challenge.

“People that are professional python hunters but also novices come from all around the world for the chance to hunt and bag their python,” DeSantis said.

He made the call to lawmakers to “keep the momentum going” when the Legislative Session resumes next year.

“We want to work with the Florida Legislature to make sure that this funding stays in place so that we continue to do what needs to be done to rid the Everglades of this invasive species,” DeSantis said.

A female python can lay up to 100 eggs at one time, which has helped the apex predator dominate the Everglades. 

“These things will take out a deer,” DeSantis said.