Public
Image courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Removing and Reporting Pythons Year-Round
Burmese pythons are a high priority species for control in Florida, and like all nonnative fish and wildlife, are not protected in the state except by anti-cruelty laws (Florida Statutes § 828.12). Members of the public are encouraged to remove and humanely euthanized them whenever possible on private lands with landowner permission. Through Executive Order 23-16, the state has removed barriers to allow people to remove and humanely euthanize Burmese pythons and other nonnative reptiles on 32 FWC Commission-managed lands in south and southwest Florida year-round without a permit or hunting license requirement.
All pythons must be humanely euthanized on site. You may not transport any live pythons.
Additional Information
The Florida Python Challenge® is an exciting conservation effort which helps protect the rare Everglades habitat and the animals that live there from these invasive, nonnative snakes. Visit Florida Python Challenge® for more information.
Image courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Burmese pythons are regulated as Prohibited species in Florida (Chapter 68-5, F.A.C.) and listed as an Injurious Species under the federal Lacey Act (18 U.S.C. 42). See the Regulations and Permits page for more information.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission offers no-cost Python Patrol which aims to create a network of individuals throughout south Florida who know how to identify Burmese pythons, report sightings, as well as search for, safely capture and humanely euthanize these invasive constrictors.
These trainings are open and available to the public. No prior snake handling experience is required.
Training covers:
- Information on Burmese pythons in Florida
- Species identification
- How to search for pythons
- Safe capture techniques
- How to humanely euthanize a python
- Reporting pythons to the FWC
Image courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Report Burmese python sightings and/or removals. If you think you see a Burmese python, take a photo, note your location and report your sighting by one of these three methods:
- Invasive Species Hotline at 888-Ive-Got1 (888-483-4681)
- IveGot1 mobile app (free to download)
- IveGot1.org
Interactive Map of 32 Commission-Managed Lands for Removing Pythons Year-Round
Members of the public can assist with invasive species removal efforts on 32 Commission-managed lands where lethal take of nonnative reptiles is allowed. View the interactive map and read specific area brochures to learn more about Commission-managed lands where you may humanely euthanize nonnative reptiles like Burmese pythons throughout the year. No permit or hunting license is required. Captured Burmese pythons must be humanely euthanized at the site of capture and cannot be transported alive.
