Are large constrictor snakes such as Burmese pythons able to kill people? What is the risk? Would this be in the wild, or in backyards?
Human fatalities from non-venomous snakes are very rare, probably averaging one or two per year worldwide. All known constrictor-snake fatalities in the United States are from captive snakes; these are split between deaths of snake owners who were purposefully interacting with their pet and deaths of small children or infants in homes where a snake was kept captive as a pet. There have been no human deaths from wild-living Burmese pythons in Florida. Overall, the risk of attack is very low.
We cannot categorically rule out the possibility of a fatal attack. In suburban areas and parks in Florida that contain ponds, canals or other bodies of water where large snakes could feel at home, the situation is likely similar to that experienced with alligators: attacks are improbable but possible in any locality where the animals are present and people are also present. The simplest and most sure-fire way to reduce the risk of human fatalities is to avoid interacting with a large constrictor.
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How many Burmese pythons inhabit southern Florida? How many Burmese pythons inhabit southern Florida?
It is incredibly difficult to estimate the true population numbers of Burmese pythons in South Florida. Burmese pythons can survive in and utilize a variety of habitats found in the region, and many of these areas are difficult to access and effectively survey. Conservatively, tens of thousands of invasive Burmese pythons are estimated to be present in the Greater Everglades region. Learn More...
What should I do if I see a python in the wild? What should I do if I see a python in the wild?
If you see a python in the wild – or suspect that a snake is a python or an invasive snake – you should take the same precautions for these constrictor snakes as one would take for any wildlife: avoid interacting with or getting close to them. If you are in Everglades National Park, you can report a python sighting to a park ranger. You can also report the animal via the “Ive Got 1” reporting...
Are invasive snakes dangerous? Are invasive snakes dangerous?
Free-ranging snakes representing dozens of species from around the world are discovered in the United States in any given year, usually as a result of escapees or releases from the pet trade, but most of these don't appear to have established a reproductive population. Any animal can be problematic when released in places where it is not native. For example, the Brown Treesnake was introduced to...
Related
How many Burmese pythons inhabit southern Florida? How many Burmese pythons inhabit southern Florida?
It is incredibly difficult to estimate the true population numbers of Burmese pythons in South Florida. Burmese pythons can survive in and utilize a variety of habitats found in the region, and many of these areas are difficult to access and effectively survey. Conservatively, tens of thousands of invasive Burmese pythons are estimated to be present in the Greater Everglades region. Learn More...
What should I do if I see a python in the wild? What should I do if I see a python in the wild?
If you see a python in the wild – or suspect that a snake is a python or an invasive snake – you should take the same precautions for these constrictor snakes as one would take for any wildlife: avoid interacting with or getting close to them. If you are in Everglades National Park, you can report a python sighting to a park ranger. You can also report the animal via the “Ive Got 1” reporting...
Are invasive snakes dangerous? Are invasive snakes dangerous?
Free-ranging snakes representing dozens of species from around the world are discovered in the United States in any given year, usually as a result of escapees or releases from the pet trade, but most of these don't appear to have established a reproductive population. Any animal can be problematic when released in places where it is not native. For example, the Brown Treesnake was introduced to...