27 kg Burmese python struggles with hunter.

A nearly 4-meter-long female Burmese python, possibly about to lay eggs, was killed by hunters in an effort to eradicate the invasive alien species.

Mike Kimmel, a wildlife rescuer and invasive species trapper, captured a large Burmese python near midnight while driving home after a night of hunting in Florida, Newsweek reported on May 10. The incident was filmed by Kimmel's crew and posted online, attracting thousands of views.

The female Burmese python was nearly 4 meters long and weighed over 27 kg. Kimmel spotted the animal by the roadside, among the bushes, using a high-powered flashlight mounted on his car. He quickly got out of the car and chased after it.

Finally, Kimmel caught the python and began a struggle that lasted several minutes. The hunter tried to control the Burmese python while it tried to defend itself, even attempting to coil around and bite him. "Burmese pythons, especially large ones like this, are very strong. They have solid muscles. I handled the animal in a way that made it tire itself out," Kimmel said.

One of the dangers to watch out for when handling pythons is their long, curved fangs. "You should definitely avoid letting them bite. They can cause all sorts of nerve damage," Kimmel says.

Based on the thickness of the python, it's possible it was carrying eggs and looking for a nesting place. After capturing the Burmese python, as in this case, Kimmel euthanized them on the spot according to Florida's invasive species guidelines. Specifically, he shot the python directly in the brain.

The Burmese python ( Python bivittatus ) is a large python native to Southeast Asia, but it now also inhabits South Florida, primarily the Everglades, as an invasive species. The local environment there is suitable for them.

Burmese pythons currently pose a significant threat to native wildlife due to their predatory behavior towards numerous bird and mammal species, including several endangered species in the U.S. The severe decline in some populations of small mammals in Florida is believed to be linked to Burmese pythons.

Determining the exact size of the Florida Burmese python population is nearly impossible because they are so difficult to spot. Experts estimate the number to be between tens of thousands and 100,000, or even more. Burmese pythons are non-venomous and can grow up to about 6 meters in length, with the Florida record being over 5.5 meters.

Thu Thao (According to Newsweek )

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