--- title: 18 Foot Python Captured in Florida Everglades description: University of Florida researchers recently captured what may be the second-longest python every caught in Florida. canonical: https://time.com/3978462/18-foot-python-captured-florida-everglades/ author: Tessa Berenson article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2015-07-30T14:36:56.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-05-11T05:02:14.449Z article:section: Science og:title: 18 Foot Python Captured in Florida Everglades og:description: It may be the second longest snake ever captured in the state og:url: https://time.com/3978462/18-foot-python-captured-florida-everglades/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt1d6e08b8b8ebe992/69885d31cd684865f40a10a8/18-foot-python-captured-florida-everglades-7.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1200 og:image:height: 675 og:image:alt: 18 foot python captured florida everglades og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: 18 Foot Python Captured in Florida Everglades twitter:description: It may be the second longest snake ever captured in the state twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt1d6e08b8b8ebe992/69885d31cd684865f40a10a8/18-foot-python-captured-florida-everglades-7.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # This 18-Foot Python Was Captured in the Florida Everglades ## Video: Pythons Devour Florida: Help Wanted [Watch (HLS stream): Pythons Devour Florida: Help Wanted](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/KJSpw4eN.m3u8) (4:55)  _Published 2014-07-09. The invasive Burmese Python, native to Burma, is a huge problem for Florida's Everglades. For the last 20 years there has been an average decline in 98% of the everglades' small mammal population, and the Python is suspected to be the root of that_  by [Tessa Berenson](https://time.com/author/tessa-berenson/)  ## Tessa Berenson Jul 30, 2015 2:36 PM UTC  University of Florida wildlife biologists recently removed one of the largest Burmese Pythons ever captured in Florida. The snake was caught on July 9\. These photos were taken on July 11. University of Florida wildlife biologists recently removed one of the largest Burmese Pythons ever captured in Florida. The snake was caught on July 9\. These photos were taken on July 11.Chris Gillette  by [Tessa Berenson](https://time.com/author/tessa-berenson/)  ## Tessa Berenson Jul 30, 2015 2:36 PM UTC University of Florida researchers recently captured what may be the second-longest python ever caught in Florida. Captured along a popular wildlife-watching trail on July 9, the python was a female who measured 18 feet 3 inches and weighed 133 pounds, [CBS Miami reports](http://miami.cbslocal.com/2015/07/28/huge-python-captured-at-shark-valley-in-everglades-national-park/). The longest ever captured in the park measured 18 feet 7 inches long. The snake was removed from the park and euthanized to protect other wildlife. Pythons are not native to Florida, but were introduced to the region as exotic pets. They now live in the wild by the thousands.  University of Florida wildlife biologists recently removed one of the largest Burmese Pythons ever captured in Florida. The snake was caught on July 9\. These photos were taken on July 11. Chris Gillette  University of Florida wildlife biologist Ed Metzger with the female snake measuring 18 feet, 3 inches, and weighing 133 pounds. Chris Gillette  University of Florida wildlife biologist Ed Metzger with the python. Chris Gillette  According to NBC News, Metzger said it was especially satisfying to have removed such a large snake from the Everglades ecosystem. The snake was euthanized. 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