10 Foot Python Caught Behind Collier County Home
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
We’ve been hearing more and more of these stories lately and a 10 foot python was caught behind a home in Collier County.
I’ve said it and I’ll say it again. I hate snakes. I understand they have a purpose in our eco-system, but I want nothing to do with them. I’ve been lucky to have only seen a few out in the wild since I moved to Fort Myers, and I’d prefer to keep it that way. However, a neighbor the other day stopped me to warn me of some big snakes in the bush outside my lanai. We all know that pythons are everywhere in the Everglades, but lately we’ve been hearing more and more stories about people seeing them further north. A few instances in Cape Coral actually. So they’re on the move.
10 Foot Python Caught Behind Collier County Home
A 10 foot, 160 pound Burmese python was caught behind a home in Lely Resort. According to NBC2, it was spotted in a retention pond just 20 feet from the homeowners backyard. WAY too close for comfort. And the homeowner agreed. Sleth Reptiles, an animal removal company, was called to the scene and owner Seth Brittain and tech Jesse Richards were able to capture the snake. It sounds like it put up quite a fight, but they were able to safely remove the predator from the property.
Related: Dog Encounters Gigantic Python In Cape Coral
Things That Can Kill You: The Six Venomous Snakes Of Florida
With the warm climate we enjoy, there’s more than just New Yorker’s heading to Florida. There are 44 known species of snakes here in Florida, but only 6 are venomous. Of course, it only takes one bite to totally ruin your day, so it’s best to know who they are. I’ve seen so many posts on Facebook of people asking what kind of snake is this, and will I die if it bites me. Most won’t. In fact, it’s best to leave most snakes alone because they’re eating pests that you don’t want around. Rats, mice, those frogs that make your dog sick. Things like that. This list doesn’t include the invasive python which is attempting to take over the Everglades. It’s not a venomous snake. Although it does make for interesting stories when Florida man takes one on. UPDATE: February 14th, 2024 – there have been no human deaths from wild-living Burmese pythons in Florida.
It’s actually a very short list of snakes that you really need to watch out for. There’s the pit vipers and the eastern coral snake. The truly tricky part is all of the other snakes that try to look like they’re a venomous snake. Those snakes are the equivalent of someone who is all talk but runs and hides once the fight starts. But man, they will scare the snot out of you when they come out of the bushes at night when you’re taking the trash out. Yes, this happened to me.
The most common snake you’ll see here in Florida seems to be the black racer snake. Totally harmless. I find them in my pool at night sometimes. I fish it out with the pool skimmer and bring it back out to the yard.
The Venomous Snakes Of Florida
Anyway, thanks to the good folks at World Atlas, let’s take a look at some things that could kill you. It’s the Venomous Snakes Of Florida.
Marija is a morning show host on WXKB/B1039, midday host on WRXK/96KRock and night show host on WPBB/98.7 The Shark. She loves to write about food, travel, and things to do around the state of Florida.