Photo credit: Chris Urso/Tribune
Wildlife expert, Justin Mathews hauled a 14 foot python from a storm drain in western Florida over the week-end.
The snake was so long that it took six people, including Mathews’ son, to hold it down in order to get it measured.
Mathews, owner of Wildlife Rescue believes that the snake did not come from the wild and that it must have been owned by someone.
Wildlife Rescue is also an educational facility and Mathews plans to use the snake for that training classes.
It is believed that the snake does not have a microchip, and therefore it could be difficult to trace the owner.
Mathews, as a wildlife expert and instructor, has permits to capture and house large reptiles.
Recently, Florida has taken action to halt and reverse the spread of pythons, in view of concerns over their explosion. Earlier this month, the state commence a program allowing qualified volunteer herpetologists to euthanize pythons once caught.
It is not known how many pythons live in South Florida, but officials estimate that that number could be in the thousands, with many living in the Everglades.
Scientists have seen an explosion in the numbers of Burmese pythons in South Florida over the past decade, as part of the international pet trade. It is believed that many may have escaped on account of the destruction of pet shops in the wake of Hurricane Andrew and also some deliberately dumped in the forest when owners perceived that the snakes were not so cute anymore.
Burmese pythons can grow over 20 feet long and weigh up to 250 pounds. They are one of the 6th largest snakes in the world and are native to rain forest areas of Southeast Asia.
