If you spot a Burmese python on your Florida driveway, may you kill it? Surprisingly, yes — but only if it is performed humanely and under state regulations.
What are Burmese Pythons?
Burmese pythons are large, nonvenomous snakes from South Asia. In Florida, however, they’re an invasive species and a major threat to native wildlife. Since they were introduced, they have become one of the most damaging invasive animals in the state and can consume everything from bird eggs up to full-grown deer. They’re capable of swallowing prey of their same size and have few natural predators.
They have been linked by a 2012 study with a devastating collapse—100%—of certain mid-range mammals like raccoons and rabbits in the Everglades.
The species was listed as a prohibited species in Florida in 2021.
Can You Kill a Burmese Python?
Yes, you can humanely kill Burmese pythons on your own property or by permission of the landowner on someone else’s property—if the use of firearms is legal under local law. Pythons can be removed year-round from FWC-controlled public lands with no bag limit.
However, during the Florida Python Challenge—a 10-day competition held each August to help control the python population—firearms are prohibited, as the event does not coincide with an established firearm season.
What is “Humanely Killed”?
Although Burmese pythons are not a protected species, Florida law still prohibits animal cruelty. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) requires a humane, two-step process for killing pythons, following American Veterinary Medical Association guidelines:
- Immediate unconsciousness — Use a captive bolt, firearm, or air gun directed at the brain.
- Brain destruction — Once unconscious, insert an instrument (like a screwdriver) into the braincase and rotate to destroy the brain and brainstem.
Live transport of pythons is not allowed — they must be humanely euthanized immediately at the time of capture.
The FWC suggests using a firearm with:
- At least 300 foot-pounds (FPE) of muzzle energy for animals up to 400 lbs
- 1,000 FPE for animals over 400 lbs
How to Identify a Burmese Python
- Size: Typically 6–9 feet in Florida; the longest recorded was 18 feet
- Color: Tan with dark, puzzle piece-shaped blotches
- Head: Pyramid-shaped with a dark arrow-like mark pointing toward the nose
What to Do if You Find One
If you see a Burmese python:
- Avoid approaching or trying to capture the snake yourself unless trained
- Photograph it and record your GPS position
- Report the sighting to FWC using one of these methods:
- Phone: 1-888-Ive-Got1
- Mobile App: “IveGot1”
- Online: IveGot1.org
Learn more about how to safely and legally remove Burmese pythons at MyFWC.com.
