Constrictors are non-venomous snakes that can reach lengths of up to 20 feet, with the Florida record being held by an individual

that was 18 feet, 9 inches long. They are among the longest snakes in the world. Burmese pythons, as their name suggests,

are indigenous to portions of Southeast Asia, but humans brought them to the Sunshine State many years ago.

In the 1970s and 1980s, hundreds of Burmese pythons were imported for the purpose of being sold as exotic pets,

which resulted in their introduction to the state. According to Lisa Thompson of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission,

"Burmese pythons were introduced to Florida through accidental and planned releases through the pet trade."

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According to her, there is a misconception about how pythons got started in Florida. "Some people think Hurricane Andrew in 1992

started the Burmese python problem, but pythons had been detected prior to that hurricane in Florida, as early as 1979. Several introduction events

likely occurred in multiple locations across south Florida," she said. According to the U.S., the species is currently regarded as invasive in the state, where it may be found

in more than 1,000 square miles of the southern region, predominantly in the Everglades habitat but also in some nearby locations. geographic survey

Experts say Burmese pythons represent a serious threat to the state's ecosystems since they have as an invasive species in southern Florida.