Burmese Python Population Growing in South Florida

Burmese pythons are not native to the United States, but in recent years, people leaving their pets in the wild has their population on the rise, especially here in Florida.

Him is the only Burmese python at the Naples Zoo. While she appears to be a friendly snake, she can kill by using her teeth to anchor her prey, as she wraps her coils around its body, applying as much as 80 pounds of pressure per square inch.

"They apply so much pressure and they keep squeezing til the heart stops," Naples Zoo Executive Director Dave Tetzlaff says.

Since 1980, the Humane Society of the United States says, including today's death of a toddler near Orlando, at least 12 people have been killed in the U.S. by pet pythons.

"It shouldn't happen. It doesn't need to happen. This is a wild animal," Tetzlaff says. While many people have snakes like this as pets, he says its not a good idea for most.

"For the average person, this is not a pet," Tetzlaff believes.

While Him is the only Burmese python at the Naples zoo, thousands call South Florida home. Wildlife experts say some owners have freed pythons into the Everglades, where their population continues to increase. Tetzlaff says some have even made their way into residential areas.

If you come across one, stay away. If the python attacks, Tetzlaff says pepper spray will scare the snake, or... "If you shove your fingers or finger nails up under there, then violently gouge in, it can case the snake pain," Tetzlaff says.

If you do choose to bring a snake into your home, make sure you know what you're doing, and have a cage it can't get out of. "The power in one of these things can never be underestimated," Tetzlaff says.

Python owners must have permits and microchips in their pet snakes, that way if one is lost, it can be returned to its owner. Violating these laws is a misdemeanor.