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The Burmese python, a species that can reach lengths of up to 22 feet, was introduced to Florida primarily through the exotic pet trade. When pet owners released these constrictors into the wild, they quickly adapted to the warm climate of the Everglades. They have since become apex predators, causing drastic reductions in the populations of native wildlife. This disruption raises alarm about the ecological balance within this unique subtropical wilderness.
Management efforts, including python hunting and public awareness campaigns discouraging the release of exotic pets, face significant challenges. The vast and impenetrable nature of the Everglades makes it difficult to track these snakes, compounded by their high reproductive rates.