Concerns Raised Over Python Encounters in Collier County, Florida
A recent incident in Golden Gate Estates involving a python attacking a pet peacock has amplified worries about the proximity of invasive snakes to residential areas in Southwest Florida. Rhett Stanberry, a python specialist with over a decade of experience, responded to a neighbor’s distress call after a python was found in a peacock’s enclosure. Unfortunately, the snake had already consumed half of the bird before Stanberry arrived.
This nine-foot python, while smaller than some he has encountered, showcased the snake’s ability to navigate through fences and loose areas. Stanberry emphasized that while pythons pose no threat to humans, pet owners should remain vigilant.
In just a week and a half, Stanberry reported encountering at least five pythons in the vicinity. The increasing sightings are attributed to the expansion of both humans and pythons into new territories outside the Everglades, infiltrating neighborhoods and gated communities.
For those who spot a python, it is advised to reach out to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) at 888-483-4681 for assistance from trained agents. Although property owners can legally remove pythons, Stanberry cautions against acting without expertise, as misidentification can lead to killing non-threatening snake species.
