Huge Burmese pythons have adopted south Florida

Florida's Everglades National Park is being overrun with Burmese pythons, one of the world's largest snakes.



These pythons (pictured) can grow to be more than 20 feet long in their natural habitat in Southeast Asia.

The pythons that are now inhabiting many parts of south Florida are thought to be freed pets brought in by the booming exotic pet trade.

Burmese pythons are popular—and legal—pet snakes. In the past five years, the U.S. has imported more than 144,000 Burmese pythons.

Hatchlings sell for as little as U.S. $20. But once the cute little baby snakes turn into 15-foot-long beasts, some owners may decide to get rid of their pets by dumping them in the forest.

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