Photos: Giant Pythons Invade Everglades

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pregnant Burmese python

pregnant Burmese python

(Image credit: Lori Oberhofer)

Burmese python stomach contents

Burmese python stomach contents

(Image credit: Lori Oberhofer)

After being euthanized, captured snakes undergo a stomach content analysis to help determine what they are consuming in the wild.

Big Burmese python

Big Burmese python

(Image credit: Shannon Pittman)

Big Burmese python

Burmese python

Burmese python

(Image credit: Lori Oberhofer)

Nonnative Burmese pythons now occupy a wide variety of habitats in the park, including uplands, freshwater wetlands and the saline coastal fringe.

Alligator and python struggle.

Alligator and python struggle.

(Image credit: U.S. Geological Survey/photo by Lori Oberhofer, National Park Service)

Alligator and python struggle.

Python on nest

Python on nest

(Image credit: U.S. Geological Survey/photo by Jemeema Carrigan, University of Florida)

Invasive Burmese python on her nest in South Florida.

Big Burmese python

Big Burmese python

(Image credit: Mike Rochford)

Big Burmese python

Burmese Python Killed

(Image credit: South Florida Water Management District)

Florida officials said they bagged one of the biggest Burmese pythons ever found in the state: an 18.2-foot-long (5.5 meters) female weighing some 150 pounds (68 kilograms) on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014. [Read full story]

Python molurus bivittatus

Python molurus bivittatus

(Image credit: Chris Gillette)

Python molurus bivittatus.

Jennifer Welsh
Jennifer Welsh

Jennifer Welsh is a Connecticut-based science writer and editor and a regular contributor to Live Science. She also has several years of bench work in cancer research and anti-viral drug discovery under her belt. She has previously written for Science News, VerywellHealth, The Scientist, Discover Magazine, WIRED Science, and Business Insider.